Reasons to Go Electric: 

Cost

Some electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase than conventional gasoline-powered cars, however their initial costs can be offset by federal tax credits and fuel cost and maintenance savings. Electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than gasoline-powered vehicles. Electric Vehicles (EVs) require no oil changes and have ten fewer moving parts than a gasoline-powered car (engine, transmission, spark plugs, valves, tailpipe, distributor, starter, clutch, muffler, or catalytic converter). Additionally, driving on electricity is about five times cheaper than fueling with gasoline, especially given the volatility of gas prices. Use the Department of Energy's Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare lifetime ownership costs of individual models of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), EVs, and conventional vehicles.

Emissions

The average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle emits about 4.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year, contributing to poor air quality. In addition to CO2, gasoline-powered vehicles also emit methane, hydroflourocarbons, and nitrogen oxides - which contribute to the production of harmful ground-level ozone, the most common form of air pollution in Greater San Antonio. By contrast, all-electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions, thus preserving the quality of our air by reducing smog, haze, and health problems. Even when considering the cost of and emissions produced by electricity usage, on average, electric vehicles still produce fewer lifetime emissions. In Texas, electric vehicles as a whole reduce annual emissions, compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, by more than 6,500 pounds.

Power and performance

Contrary to the common myth, electric vehicles are built for more than fuel efficiency, but power and performance as well. Electric vehicles are smooth and quiet, and their high torque – even at low speeds – provides instant accelerator response, and also better performance in snow. Whereas gasoline-powered vehicles operate at about 30% efficiency (with approximately 70% of their energy eaten by heat, sound, friction, and pollutants), electric vehicles operate at 90% efficiency because of instantaneous power through torque.

Batteries and infrastructure availability

Since the rollout of the modern electric car, battery design and life has improved immensely. Several manufacturers of plug-in electric vehicles offer 8-year/100,000 miles battery warranties, but studies from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicate that today’s batteries may last 12 – 15 years in moderate climates.

In addition to at-home charging facilities and extended-range models, there are almost 100 public EV charging stations in San Antonio and surrounding communities. The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center helps users locate EV charging stations, public and private, and helps plan routes.