Fact check: Do electric vehicles really save money? What about charging locations?
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High gas prices got you down?
Here are ways to save, whether you take public transportation, join a supermarket gas savings program or even buy an electric or hybrid car.
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Thinking of trading that gas guzzler for an electric car or hybrid? Read this first.
Gas prices too high? Here are the public transit options in Fort Worth/Tarrant County
Save at the pump: Stores that earn you points and discounts on gasoline
Fact check: Do electric vehicles really save money? What about charging locations?
High gas prices are not a problem for all vehicle owners — electric vehicles don’t use gasoline. As more electric vehicles are seen on the road, EV ownership has become a cost-saving alternative for many Texans.
In data collected by the Alternative Fuels Data Center last year, Texas had the third highest electric vehicle registration in the United States with over 52,000. California was the highest at over 425,000 registrations, and Florida was second with just over 58,000.
For drivers on the fence about making the switch, here are five common misconceptions about EVs.
[MORE: Texan buyers’ guide to EVs & hybrids: Exclusive for Star-Telegram subscribers, everything you need to know about today’s EVs and hybrids, including incentives, actual savings, charging locations and what to consider before buying.]
Myth: Electric vehicles don’t have range to handle daily travel demands.
Fact: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, most electric vehicles go above 200 miles on a fully charged battery. The average U.S. household travels around 50 miles per day, with around 85% traveling under 100 miles daily.
Myth: Electric vehicles are worse or just as bad for the environment because of battery production.
Fact: Over the lifetime of an EV, greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing, charging and driving an EV are typically lower than those associated with a gasoline car, according to the EPA.
Myth: Electric vehicles are not as safe as gasoline cars.
Fact: All vehicles — gasoline and electric — undergo extensive testing and must meet safety standards set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Myth: Electric vehicles are too expensive.
Fact: In Texas, if you buy a new car, you get a $7,500 tax credit from the feds and a $2,500 rebate program from the state, taking $10,000 off the sticker price, said Tom Smith, executive director of the Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance.
“There are a number of new electric vehicles that are very similarly priced to similarly sized sedans and SUVS,” he said. “When you look at the lifetime costs, you save significant amounts of money, because they are cheaper to fuel and they require significantly less maintenance.”
Myth: There’s nowhere to charge an electric vehicle.
Fact: According to the EPA, most electric vehicles can be plugged in using a standard household 120-volt outlet. Vehicles can be charged quickly using a 240-volt outlet or charging station. The Alternative Fuels Data Center on the U.S. Department of Energy website lists over 52,000 240-volt outlet charging stations nationwide.
This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 11:00 AM.
