The Pinch At The Pump

Gas prices are through the roof and we're feeling the pinch at the gas station. Is now the right time to invest in an electric vehicle?

There's no sugarcoating it: Automobiles leave a big footprint. Extracting petroleum products from the earth and shipping them around the planet is both energy-intensive and damaging (let's not forget about oil spills!). There's also the tailpipe emissions problem: vehicles in the US are responsible for a whopping one-third of all air pollution in the country.

The rollout of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and traditional hybrids is good news if you’re looking for an alternative to the combustion engine, and that's because these models provide energy-efficient transportation while lowering/eliminating tailpipe emissions, diminishing noise, and reducing operating costs.

On today's show my guest and I outline 5 things to consider before purchasing or leasing your next vehicle. Jon Linkov is the Deputy Autos Editor at Consumer Reports and he brings a wealth of real-world knowledge as both a tester of cars and an owner of an electric vehicle to our conversation.

Here's a preview:

[2:30] The major differences as well as the minor intricacies that distinguish hybrids and plug-in hybrids from electric vehicles

[9:00] The price problem: Weighing sticker prices with federal and state rebates and gasoline costs

[13:00] Everything you need to know about the $7500 US Federal Tax Incentive on (some) electric vehicles

[17:30] Should we be concerned about running out of charge? All-things charging, charging stations, at-home charger installation, and the average driving ranges of top EV models

[22:00] Do EVs and hybrids need more frequent — and more expensive — maintenance? (Hint: the answer is no.)

[24:00] Jon's thoughts on whether alternate technologies are actually fun to drive

 

Resources mentioned and further reading:

How to Decide If a Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, or Fully Electric Car Is Right for You (via Consumer Reports) The Environmental Impacts of Cars, Explained (via National Geographic) More Americans Would Buy an Electric Vehicle, and Some Consumers Would Use Low-Carbon Fuels, Survey Shows

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