As EVs become political tools, it's easy to get lost and confused in the noise. In reality, EVs are not political; they are safe, reliable transportation tools. Let's cut through the noise.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a political hot potato. As the campaign season heats up, so does the anti-EV rhetoric on one side and pro-EV rebuttals on the other. When a new technology becomes a tool for political gain, it is easy to get lost and confused in all the noise. In reality, EVs are not political; they are tools for safely and reliably transporting people where they need to go.

What makes EVs different is that they do the job without emitting the air and climate pollution we have endured from the tailpipes of gas and diesel vehicles for over a century. EVs are a worthy technology pursuit because of the inherent public health and climate benefits tailpipe-fee transportation provides, and also because this particular technology bolsters national security by reducing our dependence on global oil. Furthermore, EVs reduce the cost of transportation for consumers and fleets by shifting from expensive gas to lower-cost, locally-produced electricity.  

Let’s take a moment to cut through the noise.

Here are a few passenger EV facts, reliable resources, and other tools to help shoppers make informed decisions when searching for either new or used electric cars, SUVs or pick-up trucks:

1. EV range is enough for typical daily use in the U.S. In fact, most EVs can travel 200 miles on a fully charged battery. Use this EPA breakdown, or use UC Davis’ EV Explorer to help you choose the right EV for your travel demand. For the numbers, check out Energy.gov’s EV range graph.
2. Electric vehicles can be plugged into wall outlets, and there are resources to help find charging stations while on the road. Check out this EPA breakdown or this DOE charging resource that includes a tool to find charging stations and options.
3. EV maintenance is less expensive than internal combustion engine (ICE) car maintenance in the long run – even including the replacement of an EV’s battery if needed down the road. Check out this DOE resource for comparing maintenance costs and costs of ownership, and this NRDC article to dig deeper.
4. Electric vehicles now come in a variety of models, not just sedans! Check out this overview of different EV models, then use this PlugStar tool to learn which EV model works best for you – and compare options side by side with this DOE tool. For a second opinion, see consumer ratings for different models here.
5. Federal IRA tax credits can help you save money on both brand new EVs and used EVs. This IRS resource overviews tax credits available for used EVs (and here’s one for new EVs). This Electrek article discusses the narrowing gap in price between used EVs and ICE cars.
6. Renters can also own EVs, not just homeowners with home chargers, though it can be more challenging. Check out this Yale Climate Connections resource on ways to charge your EV if you’re a renter.
7. Once on the road, EVs produce much less CO2 than ICE cars. Check out this USA Today article (that even factors in battery manufacturing) and use this state-specific emissions calculator to compare the CO2 emissions of EVs vs. ICE cars. For more numbers, check out this Bloomberg article with helpful graphs.
8. Certain charging strategies can prevent overloading the grid, like charging off-peak hours. This EPA breakdown explains “off-peak charging, ” plus other facts about charging’s electricity usage.

EVs are a viable alternative today, and represent the future of mobility

EV technology can, and will, replace ICE technology. EVs — not only passenger vehicles but school and transit buses, delivery vans, garbage trucks, and freight trucks — are the future: the benefits they deliver cannot be delivered by ICE vehicles. The need for these benefits, like clean air, energy security, and lower-cost transportation, cannot be denied.

SACE’s Electrify the South program leverages research, advocacy, and community outreach to accelerate the equitable transition to electric transportation across the Southeast. Visit ElectrifytheSouth.org to learn more and connect with us.

Watch Our Webinar on EV Facts and Experiences

We invite you to watch a recording of SACE’s fourth Clean Energy Generation webinar, “Understanding EVs: Real People Share Real Stories of Electrifying Their Ride,” from August 29. During the webinar, a panel of EV owners and drivers shared stories and insights from their experiences with EVs. It is a great opportunity to learn more about what it’s like to own, charge, travel, and save money with an EV, plus hear advice from real people who have gone electric. You can also check out some answers to common EV questions using our EV Facts 101 one-pager, shared during the webinar.