At Wheatland Electric we’re proud to DELIVER ENERGY FOR LIFE. That means providing essential services that are safe, reliable and competitively priced to enhance the lives of our cooperative members.
As electric vehicles, or EVs, become more and more popular, we’re also here to DRIVE ENERGY FOR LIFE … for your pocketbook and our planet!
Purchasing an EV is a little different than purchasing a gas-powered vehicle. It is important to understand key elements, such as vehicle range per charge and how tax credits work.
That’s why we’ve partnered with the folks over at ChooseEV to provide members like you with the digital tools necessary to make smart and informed decisions about driving electric.
You can now access these tools directly on our website using your smartphone or any computer device! Here are the typical steps to take when considering an EV for yourself, your family or your business:
1. Find out if an EV is right for you.
2. Choose an EV model.
3. Find rebates, tax credits, incentives and discounts.
4. Test drive and purchase your new EV.
5. Install a Level 2 240V charging system.
Our ChooseEV digital tool kit will help you navigate each of these steps and boasts the latest and most up-to-date market information about EV models, tax incentives and charging systems that are available to consumers across the country right now. Let’s take a deeper dive into these tools.
Is an EV Right for You?
Most of today’s electric vehicles have a driving range per charge between 50 to 330 miles. If your daily commute is under 250 miles per day, there is likely an affordable EV model that will fit your needs.
Currently, EVs work well for households with more than one vehicle and represent a big opportunity for families to save money while improving the quality of the environment.
That’s because one vehicle can be used for long distances, while the EV can be used for the daily work commute and errands. By the way, when you’re looking at EVs, be sure to check the “range per charge” for the vehicle. This is the number of miles the car can typically drive between full charges.
For example, if the range per charge for an EV is 200 miles and your daily commute is 60 miles, you should be able to go about three days between charges (60 miles + 60 miles + 60 miles = 180 miles).
More information about EVs, batteries, vehicle charging options, and maintenance is available under the EV FACTS section on our ChooseEV toolkit!
Choose Your EV
Already in the market for a specific EV or want to compare what the latest EVs on the market have to offer?
Our VIEW EV MODELS interactive tool allows you to do exactly that and more. Explore both all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by type, manufacturer, driving range, or even the number of seats you need in your next car!
You can even sort by price and driving range to find what works best for your wallet and lifestyle. The interactive tool even showcases what federal tax credits might be available for specific vehicles, making purchasing and savings calculations that much simpler!
Calculate your Savings
One of the coolest pieces of our new digital toolkit is a SAVINGS CALCULATOR that can compare what you’re driving now and paying for gas, with what you would pay if you invested in a specific EV model. Input the number of miles you drive each day, how often you drive, and your current vehicle and compare with literally any EV available on the market today.
For many, the cost savings can contribute to hundreds, potentially thousands of dollars per year, given that the average EV costs drivers roughly $1.20 per gallon for the same driving distance offered by their gas cousins. The cost-savings simply can’t be denied, and this interactive tool helps illustrate just how much you can save in the long-term.
Explore Additional Incentives
Tax credits at both the state and national level are available for purchasing and operating electric vehicles. The IRS, for example, offers a federal tax credit up to $1,000 for individuals who purchase and install charging equipment. All this information, including new rebates or incentives as they become available, is found in our digital toolkit under INCENTIVES & TAX CREDITS.
Install a Level 2 Charger at Home Because most EV charging happens at home or at work, Level 2 charging — sometimes called AC charging — is the best choice for everyday charging, adding about 25 miles of range per hour (RPH). Before you install an at-home EV charger, however, you’ll need to purchase one from a trusted source.
That’s why our digital toolkit provides information about some of the best 240-volt Level 2 chargers on the market today. And you’ll find this information listed under HOME CHARGERS. We’re excited to share that we’ve even partnered with trusted, local electricians in your area to make purchasing, setup and installation of an at-home charging station easier than ever. Contact our offices today to get started!
Charging Forward
As both the vehicle industry and consumer behaviors shift, Wheatland Electric is ready for great things on the road ahead!
The EV industry is gaining momentum as prices drop and driving ranges expand. As these trends continue, we’ll be ready to help our cooperative members “fuel up” and steer forward as we DRIVE ENERGY FOR LIFE!