This post was created in partnership with Motor Drive, a new full-service electric car subscription in Indianapolis.
With more people working from home and traveling less than ever, many households are rethinking their relationships with their personal and family vehicles.
The ways we get from point A to point B have changed along with the rest of the world over the course of the last year—whether it’s the absence of a morning commute or the realization that we need far less than we realized, Indy Maven turned to our friends at Motor to explore the benefits of moving to an electric car—or doing away with car ownership entirely in lieu of a regular subscription or on an as-needed basis.
Among the long list of things we’re passionate it about, it’s keeping our environment clean, our lives simple, and our finances in order.
It’s cost effective.
Electric cars are comparable in price to gas-fueled cars, and you will end up saving in the long run. Imagine no longer grumbling as gas prices sky rocket or rushing to the gas station as they fall. Instead, with an electric car, you can relax knowing that no matter the gas price you will be paying less. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Idaho National Laboratory, the average electric car user can expect to save around $8,000 over a 15-year period. Additionally, federally, the purchase of most new electric cars after 2009 is eligible for a tax credit up to $7,500. Imagine what you could do with that extra money.
Safety is top of mind.
Electric vehicles have to meet the same safety regulations as gas-powered cars, and they also have some great safety benefits of their own. One difference is that electric cars have a lower center of gravity making them less likely to roll over. Who knew?!
You’re helping the earth.
From recycling to using metal straws, helping the environment is continually getting easier and more accessible to everyone. Another way you can do your part to create a cleaner and greener world is to drive an electric car. Electric cars produce zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, while the average passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This huge difference will allow you to have an immediate impact on the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. The Earth will thank you.
They’re low maintenance.
Unlike gas-powered cars, electric vehicles have fewer fluids and fewer moving parts. That means less parts that can break. They also have regenerative braking, reducing wear and tear on the brake pads compared to a gas-powered cars—meaning less repairs.
They’re quiet.
Due to their low center of gravity, electric vehicles tend to have a smoother ride and a quieter sound. Driving your electric car will give you more quiet time and a little peace amidst your busy day.
It’s easy to switch.
All you have to do is find a local dealership and purchase or rent an electric vehicle. If you dread going to the dealership but still want to switch to an electric car, the best way to get behind the wheel ASAP is Motor Drive. Perk—they include insurance, maintenance, and require no long-term commitments.
They’re fun to drive.
Gone are the days of making fun of the Prius with ten bumper stickers you are inevitably passing on the highway. Now, you can get fully electric vehicles from almost any of your favorite car brands from Nissan to Tesla.
They have new tech.
Almost all electric vehicles feature new technology to make driving them safer and easier. One technology that most electric cars utilize is adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set speed while staying a set length away from cars ahead by using the brakes and throttle. Electric cars also have safety features like blind-spot warning, forward collision warning and forward auto-braking, and lane departure warning. Some vehicles even have lane assistant, which makes automatic steering adjustments to keep the car straight. This new tech will make you feel like you’re living in 2040.
You’ll only have to visit gas stations for snacks.
Don’t worry, you can still stop in for your favorite bag of chips or slice of Casey’s pizza. But you no longer have to shiver in the dead of an Indiana winter waiting for your car to fill up. You can charge your electric car at home after installing a charger. With Motor, you get a charger that goes right into your regular wall outlet! This will allow you to spend less time driving to a charging station. Who couldn’t use more free time?
You can snag great parking spots.
If you’ve lived in Indianapolis for a while, you know the struggle of finding a parking spot downtown, but with an electric car, you can get a great parking spot and charge your car at the same time. From the Indianapolis zoo to the Circle Centre Mall parking garage, you’ll get great spots with your new electric car.
Ellie Allen is Indy Maven’s Editorial Intern.