EV Buying Guide Ohio

Before purchasing an EV, you must first decide what type of vehicle you need. To do this, consider your driving needs. For example, you should consider your daily commute and roughly how many miles you drive. Once that is determined, you can choose from three types of EVs; hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric (BEV). HEVs were the first type of electric vehicle to be introduced back in the late 1990s. By adding an electric motor powered by a small EV battery pack, HEVs prioritize electric power while using gas power to supplement additional power when it is requested by the driver. HEVs use regenerative braking to recharge the small battery pack, so they never need to be plugged in. This makes them great for drivers with longer commutes, as they have longer driving ranges and decreased fuel consumption. PHEVs operate similarly, but instead of recharging the battery solely through regenerative braking like an HEV, PHEVs get the majority of their charge by being plugged into an external power source with a Level 1 or Level 2 EV charging cable. PHEVs are great for drivers who want to get the benefits of a BEV without fully giving up gas power. Additionally, they're ideal for drivers switching to electric power, as it gets them used to the ins and outs of EV charging and ownership. Lastly, BEVs are all-electric vehicles, completely void of any gas power. BEVs typically use two electric motors and a large rechargeable battery pack charged by a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 charging cable. 

All first-time EV owners should have a basic understanding of how to take care of their vehicle's battery. Like anything that uses a lithium-ion battery, like your smartphone, EV batteries can be overcharged if plugged in for too long. This overcharging can cause damage to the battery's cells over time. This is why most experienced EV owners will recommend that you plan your charging based on the amount of driving you'll need to do. For example, if you're only planning to drive five miles to work and back, you don't need to charge your battery all the way to 100%. In fact, most EV owners let their battery get down to approximately 15% before recharging and only charge it to around 85%, which is plenty of battery for typical everyday driving. However, if you intend on taking a road trip and may not hit a charging station for a while, that is an example of a scenario where it's okay to charge the battery to 100%, as it will give you the range needed to find a charging station. Another way to preserve your battery's longevity is to utilize the regenerative braking feature as often as possible. By reversing the direction of the electric motors while braking, regenerative braking sends power back to the battery by converting the kinetic energy created by braking into electrical energy. Lastly, whenever possible, you should avoid exposing the vehicle's battery to extreme temperatures, as being too hot or too cold can damage it.

As was mentioned above, the batteries of both plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles are both recharged by an external power source using one of three cord options. The first is Level 1. A Level 1 charger is the standard EV charging cable that comes with the purchase of an EV. Level 1 charging cords are plugged into a traditional 120-volt household outlet. Depending on the size of the vehicle's battery pack and the charging rate of the outlet, a Level 1 cord can provide an EV with a full charge in between 8 and 24 hours. Meanwhile, Level 2 chargers are either plugged into a 240-volt household outlet, like the one that washing machines use or hardwired into the home's electrical system. Level 2 chargers provide a full charge between 4 and 14 hours, again depending on the battery's size. Level 2 chargers are the ones you will find at public EV charging stations. The last type of charging cord, Level 3 is exclusively available for BEVs and not PHEVs. The Level 3 charger, otherwise known as a DC Fast Charger, can only be found at public charging stations and provide as much as 80% of charge in as little as a half hour, depending on the battery size and charging station's output. 

As we mentioned before, getting a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a great way for drivers to start the transition from gas to electric power. If you're in the market for a new PHEV, check out the new inventory here at Rouen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. In our new inventory, you can find numerous PHEV models like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe, and more. Shop online or visit our showroom to take a test drive. We look forward to working with you!