Many people who made the swap from a traditional vehicle to an electric vehicle did so because they wanted to take advantage of the many benefits EVs can bring. Lower maintenance costs, smoother driving, a lower carbon footprint – whatever it was, something convinced them that an electric vehicle would be an upgrade. However, you shouldn’t abandon this thinking just because you finally got your hands on an EV. If you purchased an electric vehicle in the past and haven’t looked into upgrades for your car or charger, you are leaving time, money, and convenience on the table. Today, we will discuss how you get more benefits out of your initial EV purchase through recent upgrades to electric vehicle technology.
Upgrades Since Your EV Purchase
Similar to how a sleek new Aston Martin has many perceived benefits compared to an old Toyota, the electric vehicle sector is not a monolith, and older vehicles and at-home chargers are not up to par compared to recent models.
Range – The range of EVs is one of the most important factors consumers consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. Range anxiety is common even among people who own an EV and understand the intricacies of using a rechargeable vehicle. However, with an increase in effective EV range and battery size over the years, range anxiety is becoming less and less prevalent.
A specific example can help paint a clearer picture. The First-Generation Tesla Roadster had an effective range of 244 miles per charge. The newest model? Over 600 miles of range.
Chargers – We have often talked about at-home chargers and the convenience they can bring to an EV household. There are three primary charger types and speeds, ranging from level 1 to level 3. While these distinctions have remained constant, their average charging speed has steadily increased over the years. For example, while level 3 chargers have remained the fastest option, their ‘range per hour’ has increased, and you can now expect your vehicle’s range to recharge by up to 250 miles in one hour while taking advantage of a supercharger.
Public adoption of EV chargers has also exploded, meaning old and new EV owners alike have more options to recharge on the go. Year over year, the percentage increase in public charging stations, many of them Tesla superchargers, is growing. If easy access to at-home or public stations was a concern that affected your decision to purchase an EV in the past, you don’t have to worry in the modern day.
Cost – The International Energy Agency has data showing a clear reduction in the cost of EVs compared to their range over a long period of time. In just ten years, vehicles became 4x more efficient and maintained similar price points. Additionally, as EV adoption increases, more and more used vehicles appear on the used car market, allowing consumers without the need for a long-range vehicle to find deals and save money.
To sum it all up, the past decade has made owning an electric vehicle easier than ever. With increased range, lower costs, and a comfortable amount of charging options, EVs are poised to take over more and more of the US car market share. No matter how inexpensive or efficient electric vehicles become, a major concern we hear from prospective EV owners is that their cars might not be charged when needed. Luckily, you can install a fast and efficient charger in your garage or driveway and never have range anxiety again.
If you are interested in swapping to an electric vehicle and installing an at-home charger, call Promise Electric. We are the Sarasota experts in EV home charging station installation.
