First Time Driving an Electric Vehicle FAQ

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Not only will you pay less to fuel your car, you’ll also pay less to maintain it, and with zero tailpipe emissions, they’re better for both the environment and your wallet. 
  • Fewer life cycle emissions
    • No tailpipe emissions: Switching to electric reduces your carbon footprint by over 60%.
  • Fun to drive
    • Smooth to drive
    • Quiet
    • Near instant torque
  • Save money
    • Don’t have to pay for gas
    • Lower maintenance costs: Doesn’t have a lot of the parts an ICE car has that frequently require maintenance (ex: no oil changes).
    • Tax benefits: Federal incentives up to $7,500 for new and $4,000 for used EVs
  • Great range
    • The average range of electric vehicles sold in the US in 2022 was nearly 300 miles, more than enough for your average daily trips.
How do I use the in-car navigation to plan routes and locate charging stations?
  • Chevy: The Chevy app provides charge status, range, and route planning. View the link for in-depth steps for finding and setting up each feature.
  • Ford: This in depth video shows how to use Ford’s navigation tools to plan routes.
  • Tesla Trip Planner: Helps plan routes through supercharger locations
    • To turn on, touch the map’s settings icon and then touch Trip Planner
What is regenerative braking and one-pedal driving?
  • Regenerative braking is a system where kinetic energy from braking is converted to electrical power in order to charge the car battery while driving.
    • Don’t worry, there’s still a separate brake pedal, but by using regenerative braking an EV can come to a complete stop on its own without the driver ever touching the brake pedal.
    • It’s useful for getting every last mile from a charge, but the aggressive deceleration it can cause when you let off the accelerator pedal can take some getting used to.
    • Every manufacturer tunes theirs differently, and some allow the driver to adjust its intensity, or shut it off entirely.
    • Regenerative braking allows brake pads to be used less often which makes them last longer
Charging an electric vehicle (EV) is simple, and costs vary depending on the location, time of day, and type of charger. You will want to plan ahead, know what charging network(s) you can use, download charging apps, and have a plan B. Many EV navigation systems will help route you to the best charger on your trip. And it’s ideal to be able to charge when you’re parked for the night, eating a meal, or shopping. Even better, if you charge at home, it’s like waking up to a full tank every morning, no gas station stops needed. 
  • Charging Costs
      • Public Charging: Costs are typically billed per minute or per kilowatt-hour (kWh). At public Level 3 (DC fast) chargers, prices range from $0.20 to $0.60 per kWh, depending on factors like time of day, location, session fees, and membership plans.
  • Popular Charging Locations
      • Common locations for charging include parking lots, malls, hotels, public transit stations, and workplaces. The Department of Energy provides a national charging map that covers Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging stations.
  • Types of Chargers and Charging Times
For everyday driving, EV owners typically keep their vehicles charged between 20-80%.
    • Level 1 (120-volt): Uses a standard outlet and charges slower, adding about 3–5 miles of range per hour. Ideal for overnight charging and light driving needs. 
    • Level 2 (240-volt): Common at homes, workplaces, and public locations, this charger is faster, adding 12–30 miles of range per hour, with a full charge in 4–8 hours depending on your EV battery.
    • Level 3 (DC fast chargers): The fastest option, perfect for quick top-ups on the go. DC fast chargers can provide up to 80% charge in 20–40 minutes, though times depend on the specific EV and charger.
This information will help you determine the best charging option based on your needs, driving habits, and charging locations. If your vehicle doesn’t come with a navigation system that takes you to chargers, consider the PlugShare and A Better Route Planner (ABRP) apps. 
What will affect the range or mileage?
  • Driving fast will run the battery down quicker, you will use more battery on interstates and highways, and less for driving in town. 
  • Impact of AC/heat 
    • Cold weather can significantly reduce range (10-50%) because heating within the car takes up battery power. Use seat and/or steering wheel heaters to stay warm. 
    • Warm weather also impacts battery life, however less so than cold weather
Plan your route in advance
Finding Chargers
What’s the difference between plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles?
  • Battery electric vehicles (BEV or EV) are vehicles that are fully operated by a battery, the vehicle needs  to be charged as opposed to being refueled with gas or diesel. EVs are very efficient and most new models have a driving range of well over 200 miles. 
  • Plug-In Hybrid vehicles (PHEV) are a bridge between traditional hybrids and full electric vehicles. PHEVs allow for local driving on electric power but also have a gas engine for longer trips.
Final tip: be curious and ready for a new experience
  • For many, this is new technology, and comes with a learning curve. Spending some time reading and preparing for your first drive in an EV will go a long way. Expect some bumps, and expect to be delighted as EVs also come with some great amenities and are fun to drive. 

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