Posted on May 17, 2022

EcoEducation: Electric Vehicles 101 – Welcome to the Electric Decade

We got the answers to the top 20 questions Alan Wernke has been asked over the past 8 years and 150,000 miles while driving 100% electric. 
 
 
Here are a few of them: 
 
Why drive an EV -- save money, save the earth and have fun!
 
Do EVs still use gas -- No- a true electric vehicle does not use gas at all.  "If it has a plug it is in the club!"
 
As of Dec 2021 over 23,000 cars with plugs were registered in Minnesota
What are the top three brands owned in Minnesota? - Tesla, Chevrolet, Nissan  (Tesla model 3 and model Y make up almost 9500)
 
What is the difference between different charging options? 120v (standard household outlet) adds 5 miles per hour of charge / 240v adds 20-60 miles per hour of charge / 480v Dc fast charger ads 60-100 miles per hour of charge. 
 
Will an electric car really work for me? - 90% of all trips are 100 miles or less.  The average American drives less than 39 miles per day. 
 
What about winter?  below 0 temps do reduce range  -- but you can prewarm you car in your garage (no emissions!) and never have a cold car again. 
 
How long will the battery last? - warranties come for 8 years/100,000 miles
 
 
Alan's wish for us: 
  • Share EV news with others
  • Test drive several different EVs
  • Commit that your next car will have a plug
  • Call your utility to ask for 100% clean energy
  • Upgrade the infrastructure to plugin 50% of cars
  • Vote