Driving toward the future
According to the United States Department of Energy, electric vehicle (EV) sales doubled from 2020 to 2021, reaching a record high of 608,000 sales. Sales of internal combustion engine vehicles grew by only 3% the same year.
More than 80 base models of electric sedans, SUVs and minivans are available today. The number of automakers that are exclusively manufacturing plug-in vehicles is also increasing.
While the EV market is growing, it has some challenges to overcome before broader adoption takes place—cost is one. The upfront cost of an EV is more than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Nissan offer EV models that are priced around $30,000, and federal tax credits can bring the initial costs down considerably.
Range is another issue. Many EVs are limited to a driving range of 250 miles on average, with some exceptions. Some automakers offer EV models with ranges over 300 miles and a handful are approaching 400.
Consider the charging time in looking at EVs. Even at the fastest charging level, it takes approximately 20 minutes to charge 80% capacity. This makes EVs suitable for daily driving needs like commuting or running errands and somewhat less suitable for longer road trips, unless you build in for time to stop and “fill up” at charging stations.
Where to charge
Access to publicly available charging stations is not as plentiful or as geographically accessible as gas stations, which makes using an EV for an extended road trip less straightforward, but it can be done. However, the U.S. transportation and energy departments have teamed up to offer grants to help states and local partners, including electric cooperatives, to develop a national charging network with EV chargers located every 50 miles on interstates.
KATHERINE LOVING writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
