1. Get rid of the old car
If you haven't already, measure your pollution output.
Walking is wonderful, and more people ride
bicycles than ever before: bicycle safety tips.​
​​​​
​
Millions of people use public transit -
with apps for routes, schedules, etc.
​​​​​​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
But you might not live near a mass transit system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So if you really need a car, lease or buy an electric one!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In a driveway or garage, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are easy to charge. Plug the cord into an ordinary wall socket.
​
Your 110/120v outlet will add about 45 miles of "fuel" overnight - enough for most day’s driving. ​
​
If you have a lengthy commute, install a 220/240v unit for faster home charging.​​​
​For trips away from home, Level III (DC) chargers are in various locations, such as shopping mall parking lots.
Use the PlugShare app to find these spots! DC super-chargers can take 20 to 40 minutes and cost around $25.
​
Not all EV's can connect with every super-charger, but the PlugShare map spells out which type is where.
​​
​
In snowy/cold locations, buy an EV with a heated steering wheel & heated seats. You won’t regret it.
Some EV pick-up trucks and cars offer bi-directional charging
(V2X), which means you can plug electrical items into the
truck/car to get electricity from the EV battery.
​​
​
The trucks have enough electricity for a small house or a car.​
A Tesla Model Y getting bi-directional electricity from an electric Ford F-150.
Chevy Bolt, Tesla Model S, BMW i3
Not sure how an EV would work for you?
​
Fortunately, you can rent one before making a purchase, using Turo. ​
​
Bad News: Electric vehicles are not faultless ... mainly because of the batteries, due to the same sourcing problems as the batteries in your phone or laptop. For more, see Batteries.
Is owning a car necessary? Many people have little choice. In that case, go electric!
​​
“If the U.S. eliminated emissions from [conventional vehicles], that could prevent around 11,700 [annual] deaths.”
​​
​
​
​From cradle to grave, electric cars are responsible for much less pollution than gasoline vehicles.
​
"Electric vehicles are better”. They even make less brake dust than gasoline cars.
​
​
​
​​​
​​
​​
​​
​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
“The lifetime ownership costs [of EVs] are many thousands of dollars lower than" traditional cars -
because of no gasoline, no oil, and little maintenance or repair work.
​
​
In summary, EV’s are cleaner, quieter, quicker, more convenient (good-bye gas-stations),
less time consuming to maintain, AND less expensive to maintain ​than gasoline’n’oil-burning cars.
Click this link for information
on automobile manufacturers.​​
If you sell your old car yourself,
you’ll make more money than with
a trade-in at the dealership.​
For tips on car buying, visit the Costs and Rebates page!