Electric vehicles are making a big splash in the auto world. It seems like every week a new automaker is announcing a major plan to electrify more and more of its vehicles. Earlier this summer, Volvo was the first to announce a plan to electrify its full line-up by 2019. Since then, Mazda, Jaguar/Land, Mercedes and Volkswagen, have all come out with similar plans to electrify their line up in the coming years. And today, there are over 25 electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models already on the market.
If you are thinking about buying an electrified vehicle, you’re not alone. While they may not yet be for everyone, millions of electrified vehicles have been sold worldwide and there are over half-a-million on the road in the U.S. today. And sales continue to accelerate this year. In the first 8 months of this year, sales of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles are 32% higher than last year. As more models are introduced and charging infrastructure expands, sales could accelerate even faster.
So how can you find out if an electrified vehicle is right for you? First, check out this handy quiz to see if you can benefit from an electrified vehicle today. The quiz asks about your ability to charge an electrified vehicle and your driving needs to see if an electrified vehicle (and what type) is right for you.
Next, check out the available options. Consumer Reports’ EV Guide and Hybrid Buying Guides have a great run down of benefits of owning an electrified vehicle as well as a comprehensive list of pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicle options available on the market today.
Finally, if you’ve made the decision to buy an electrified vehicle, be sure to review our EV checklist to make sure you are maximizing your savings and taking advantage of the all the federal and state incentives available to you. Many states (and even local utility companies) offer tax rebates and other financial incentives to purchase an electrified vehicle and lower the cost of installing wall-mounted 240V chargers. There are also tips on working with your local utility company to get lower rates when you charge up during off-peak hours.
In addition to being clean, efficient, and fun to drive, many electrified vehicles have high ownership satisfaction and very low operating and maintenance costs. They are a great option for many people and could be a great option for you, too!