One of the most significant benefits of electric cars is that they use electricity far more efficiently than gasoline cars. When you charge up the battery on an EV, anywhere from 59-62% of that energy goes directly to moving the car’s wheels. In addition, EVs require a lot less maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles. These include oil changes, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters, exhaust pipes, mufflers, and catalytic converters, which means no smog tests. When you buy an EV in California, you qualify for a rebate of $1,000 to $4,500 through the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project to purchase or lease qualified cars. Qualifying low-income households may receive an additional $2,500 rebate. And the IRS gives you a one-time federal tax credit of $7,500. EVs are highly connected and feature more advanced tech than standard options.

The Dodge Hornet R/T is capable of 288 horsepower and over 30 miles of all-electric driving. For some extra thrill, strap into the driver seat of your Hornet R/T and enable the all-new Powershot to unlock bursts of the max available electric power. Jeep electrification takes legendary capability to new heights. The Wrangler 4xe is equipped with a PHEV powertrain with a 2.0L DOHC DI Turbo I4 engine that delivers 375 horsepower, 470 pound-feet of torque, and goes 0-60 mph in 6 seconds. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe features two electric motors to provide an outstanding towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds and next-level capability. If you need a minivan, America’s only plug-in hybrid minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, has an efficient and impressive 520-mile total range.

The electric vehicle market is evolving rapidly, with models available in various vehicle types, from compact cars and sedans to SUVs and pickup trucks. Some EVs operate solely on batteries, while others use an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. There are three main types of electric vehicles hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Battery electric vehicles. BEVs are “all-electric vehicles” that run on electricity only and are recharged from an external power source. PHEVs also use batteries to power an electric motor and can be recharged from an external power source. Still, they incorporate a smaller internal combustion engine to recharge the battery. HEVs are powered by a combination of an internal combustion engine with electric motors running off a battery pack for greater efficiency. The batteries of an HEV cannot be recharged from an external source.

You can charge at home or on the road at public charging stations. Level 1 charging units use standard 120-volt wall outlet and will charge your EV up to 5 miles of range per hour. Every EV comes with a standard Level 1 charger you can drive home and plug into the wall. Next up is a Level 2: 240-Volt Outlet like the one your dryer uses. Level 2 units will charge an average of 25 miles of range per hour. You must pay an electrician to install an outlet if you want one at your house. They are often found in public areas like rest areas, shopping centers, and restaurants. DC Fast Charging is the fastest electric car charging option, as they provide up to 250 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle and charging equipment. They can charge up to 80% in about 20 to 30 minutes.