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Nissan electric vehicles - built to thrill

Going 100% electric adds up

Owning a Nissan electric vehicle offers a number of Electric Vehicle Benefits that extend beyond a lower cost of ownership.
You'll never have to stop for gas again, so forget the pump and stop worrying about the price of gas.
Depending on the purpose of your purchase and where you live, you may qualify for potential state and local incentives and rebates when you go fully electric with a new Nissan LEAF.

EV Cars and SUVs for Sale Near Lynchburg, VA

If you've been noticing more electric cars on the roads, you're not alone. EV cars and EV charging stations are becoming more and more common as car manufacturers move away from gas-powered vehicles. EV cars' share of the market doubled from 2020-2021, and in 2023, the number of electric vehicles on the road is expected to hit 1 million.

Given that EVs are more eco-friendly than gas-powered cars, it's no surprise more people are making the switch. If you're interested in purchasing an EV, here are a few things you should know.

Are Electric Cars More Efficient Than Gas-Powered Cars?

One of the worst things about traditional gas-powered vehicles is how much fuel they waste. When you add a gallon of fuel to a gas-powered vehicle, only about a quarter actually goes toward powering the engine. The rest simply gets wasted on other parts needed to operate the car, such as the electrical components.

Electric cars don't have any of those issues. An electric car initially wastes about 30% of its energy, but thanks to regenerative braking, it captures back most of it. Roughly 22% of the lost energy is regained by the braking system, which means that less than 10% of the energy used by electric vehicle SUVs actually gets lost. The rest gets used to power the vehicle and keep it moving, which is why a greater number of vehicles can now go 300 miles or more before they need to be recharged.

There's simply no disputing it: If you're looking to maximize efficiency from your vehicle, electric cars are absolutely the right choice for you.

Can I Use Public Chargers for My Electric Car?

Absolutely, and in most cases, you should do exactly that. When you charge your car at a public charging station, you're getting the fastest charge possible for your vehicle. That's because public charging stations are professionally set up and wired to charge as fast as possible. Home chargers simply cannot compete with public stations, which can charge a car completely in as little as 20 minutes.

That's still not as fast as it takes for a gas station stop, so you'll need to build that time into your day when your car needs a charge. You'll also have to make sure to plan ahead for where to recharge electric vehicle cars. The technology is taking time to spread, and some locations won't have a charging port available for EV cars. You'll need to know where you can find a charging port, so you don't risk the car going dead on you.

How Do Cold Temperatures Affect Electric Cars?

If you live in a colder climate, you might not want to consider EV cars as your main form of transportation. That's because EV cars can struggle to get going when the temperature drops below freezing and electricity isn't as efficient. For example, once the car drops under 32 degrees, the battery's efficiency drops by 20%. 

If the temperature drops another 10 degrees, the battery's efficiency can plunge even further, leaving it at a mere 60%. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, the battery simply isn't as effective at charging the vehicle when temperatures fall below freezing.

Second, the electrical components of the vehicle become much more important when the temperature is below freezing. Most consumers enjoy heated seats on cold mornings, but those use up a fair amount of energy. The same holds for car defrosters and other things that are staples of winter driving. You might need them to drive safely and in comfort, but they'll reduce your battery life.

Which EVs Are Eligible for the Federal Tax Credit?

In order to meet the requirements for the full federal tax credit, any EV cars for sale must meet several conditions.

• The battery must have at least 50% of its components produced in North America, with 40% of the materials extracted in the United States or a nation with which the United States has a free trade agreement.

• You can't make more than $300,000 a year as a married couple in order to get a credit.

• Your vehicle can't exceed cost restrictions. If it's a sedan or similar, the MSRP must come in at $55,000 or less, while an SUV would allow for an MSRP of up to $80,000.

If all of those conditions are met, you could get a tax credit of up to $7,500 on EV cars for sale near you.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

That depends on the kind of charger you have available. If you have a home charging system, you might leave your EV car charging all night; most home chargers can take between 4 and 10 hours to fully charge.

At public chargers, the charge can take about 20 minutes. That's much more reasonable than going to a home charger, but it's still about 10 minutes more than the average fuel stop takes. The best thing to do for charging your electric car is to charge when you already have a stop planned. For example, most grocery stores now offer EV charging port stations, and most people will spend more than 20 minutes in the store when they need to shop. Tying the two together can ensure your EV car is fully charged when you come out of the store.

Get in Touch With Us 

The best way to find EV cars for sale is to contact our dealership in Lynchburg, Virginia. We'll be able to point out the differences between several EV car options, including electric vehicle SUVs. If you're looking to maximize your vehicle's efficiency and do more for the environment, talking to our team is a great start. Contact us today!