Electric Cars: Savings on Gas & Electric Bills?

Thread starter Wax
Start date Aug 11, 2009
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Car Electric Electric car

In summary, there is a lot of discussion and debate about whether or not buying a hybrid car actually saves money in the long run. It ultimately depends on the type of driving you do - city driving with frequent stops and starts is more efficient with a hybrid, while long highway driving may be more cost-effective with a diesel or small hatchback that gets 50 mpg. The next generation of hybrid cars, including the Chevy Volt, may also be more cost-effective as they can be pre-charged from an outlet. However, the cost of running these cars will also depend on the cost of electricity and gasoline. Additionally, there are concerns about the lifespan and reliability of lithium ion batteries, which can be affected by temperature and charging habits. Ultimately, it

Aug 12, 2009

Moonbear

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

Gold Member

mgb_phys said:

The next Masda 3 is going to have a system that can restart a gasoline engine just using combustion. It stops the engine at a particular point in the stroke and then uses a pressurised fuel injector (like on a diesel) to restart the engine without any external power.

That sounds a bit like an old train steam engine start up.

<h2>1. How much money can I save on gas with an electric car?</h2><p>The amount of money you can save on gas with an electric car varies depending on several factors, such as the cost of electricity in your area, the efficiency of your electric car, and your driving habits. However, on average, electric cars can save you around $1,000 per year on gas compared to a traditional gasoline car.</p><h2>2. Are electric cars more expensive to maintain?</h2><p>Electric cars have fewer moving parts than gasoline cars, which means they require less maintenance. This can result in lower maintenance costs for electric cars in the long run. Additionally, some states offer tax incentives for purchasing an electric car, which can help offset the initial cost.</p><h2>3. Can I charge an electric car at home?</h2><p>Yes, most electric cars can be charged at home using a standard 120-volt outlet. However, it may take longer to fully charge your car compared to using a 240-volt outlet. It is recommended to install a dedicated 240-volt outlet for faster charging at home.</p><h2>4. How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?</h2><p>The cost of charging an electric car at home depends on the cost of electricity in your area and the size of your car's battery. On average, it can cost anywhere from $0.10 to $0.20 per kWh to charge an electric car at home. This means it can cost around $6 to fully charge a car with a 30 kWh battery.</p><h2>5. Are there any other savings associated with owning an electric car?</h2><p>In addition to saving on gas and potentially on maintenance costs, there are other potential savings associated with owning an electric car. Many states offer tax incentives for purchasing an electric car, and some utility companies offer discounted electricity rates for electric car owners. Additionally, electric cars are exempt from emissions testing and may qualify for carpool lane access in some areas.</p>

Related to Electric Cars: Savings on Gas & Electric Bills?

1. How much money can I save on gas with an electric car?

The amount of money you can save on gas with an electric car varies depending on several factors, such as the cost of electricity in your area, the efficiency of your electric car, and your driving habits. However, on average, electric cars can save you around $1,000 per year on gas compared to a traditional gasoline car.

2. Are electric cars more expensive to maintain?

Electric cars have fewer moving parts than gasoline cars, which means they require less maintenance. This can result in lower maintenance costs for electric cars in the long run. Additionally, some states offer tax incentives for purchasing an electric car, which can help offset the initial cost.

3. Can I charge an electric car at home?

Yes, most electric cars can be charged at home using a standard 120-volt outlet. However, it may take longer to fully charge your car compared to using a 240-volt outlet. It is recommended to install a dedicated 240-volt outlet for faster charging at home.

4. How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

The cost of charging an electric car at home depends on the cost of electricity in your area and the size of your car's battery. On average, it can cost anywhere from $0.10 to $0.20 per kWh to charge an electric car at home. This means it can cost around $6 to fully charge a car with a 30 kWh battery.

5. Are there any other savings associated with owning an electric car?

In addition to saving on gas and potentially on maintenance costs, there are other potential savings associated with owning an electric car. Many states offer tax incentives for purchasing an electric car, and some utility companies offer discounted electricity rates for electric car owners. Additionally, electric cars are exempt from emissions testing and may qualify for carpool lane access in some areas.