Frequently Asked Questions about EVs
My friends here in Bakersfield and elsewhere have asked me many questions about driving electric. There are many web sites that explain what EVs are, how to use them, how to evaluate them, and how to get the most out of them. Nevertheless, I’ve chosen to include some of the questions I’ve been asked. There are many more. I’ve also written extensively about our use of EVs and our adventures driving electric. I’ve pulled those articles out and put them under one title: EV Articles by Paul Gipe. Also see EV Trip Reports for more information about trip planning and execution.
Why We Drive Electric: They’re More Efficient
Why We Drive Electric: No Tail-Pipe Emissions
Why We Drive Electric: Much Fewer Overall Emissions
Why We Drive Electric: They’re More Fun
Why We Drive Electric: They’re Quieter
Go Electric Now: There’s Never Been a Better Time to Drive an Electric Car
Are EVs More Expensive–Average New Car Prices November 2020
EVSEs or Home EV Charging Stations–What I Recommend
What does it Cost per Mile to Drive an Electric Vehicle?
California’s Clean Fuel Rebate for EVs–What a Deal
Plug in America’s Electric Vehicle State & Federal Incentive Guide
Leasing an EV–What You Need to Know
Our Lease of a Chevy Bolt and What it Cost Us
Net Cost of a Lease for a 2018-2019 Chevy Bolt EV in the San Joaquin Valley
Do I need Heated Seats in an EV?
What are the different levels of charging?
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations or EVSEs
Jesla High-Power Mobile Charge Cable (EVSE) for EVs
Home Charge Station–What We Use
How Do I Find Charge Stations?
What are the DCFC Standards in North America?
PlugShare–Where to Charge When You’re on the Road
Are Tesla Charging Stations Only for Tesla?
What’s that Number on PlugShare Mean?
Is “A Better Route Planner” Better? A Review for the Bolt
Electric Vehicle Forums–Fonts of Knowledge
EV Trip Planners and Trip Summaries with Chevy Bolt
The Cost of EVgo and ChargePoint Fast Chargers are Different, which is Better?
How Much Electricity Can I Get from a Fast Charger?
Ok, So What Does It Cost to Charge at a Fast Charger?
At Home, Does it Cost the Same to Charge at 120 V and 240 V?
When Plugged In On-the-Road, Can Someone Unplug Me without Permission?
What do Volt, Amp, and Watt Mean Relative to EVs?
Do You have to have a Smart Phone to Drive an EV?
“DC” and “AC” Charging, What’s This about?
What are miles/kWh or How do Miles/kWh translate to Miles per Gallon?
Mud, Rocks, EV Capacity, and Flexibility
Tracking Chevy Bolt EV Battery Capacity
Replacing Rear Wiper Blade on the Chevy Bolt EV
Tips for San Diego to Bakersfield Trip for a First Time Bolt Driver
Mountains to the Sea: EV Road Trip Made Possible by a 60 kWh Battery
Driving the Chevy Bolt EV–Our Impressions
Peeking Inside the Bolt’s Brain Reveals Valuable Secrets
How to Read the Chevy Bolt’s Dash Display
Cost of Charging an EV on a Road Trip: One Example
Remote Unlock Using the Chevy App–Know How to Use It
Thule Bike Rack for Chevy Bolt EV
Chevy Bolt Self-Sealing Tires Work But More Difficult to Repair
First Year EV Electricity Consumption in an All EV Household
Setting a Charging Schedule for the Chevy Bolt EV
Links to Articles on Charging EVs
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: What is it and What EV Drivers Need to Know
What is the Chevy Bolt Trend Indicator?
Dribbling Solar into an EV or How Much Solar Needed to Charge an EV
Do electric vehicles produce more tyre and brake pollution than their petrol and diesel equivalents?
How do You Charge an EV at an RV Park? And Why Would You?
Why We Drive Electric: They’re More Fun
By
Paul Gipe
I’ve noted in several articles that electric vehicles are simply more fun to drive than conventional vehicles. Once you drive one, you’ll understand.
Why We Drive Electric: Lower Cost to Operate
By
Paul Gipe
Electric vehicles are cheaper to operate and maintain than conventional cars, in part, because they have fewer moving parts. They are also cheaper to fuel than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles.
Plug in America’s Electric Vehicle State & Federal Incentives Guide
By
Paul Gipe
Plug in America’s Electric Vehicle State & Federal Incentives also includes regional air quality and electric utility subsidies for buying or leasing an EV or installing a home charge station (EVSE).
Do I Need Heated Seats in an EV?
By
Paul Gipe
Yes, heated seats in an Electric Vehicle are a must. And a heated steering wheel too, if you can get it. This is particularly true for limited-range EVs like the early Nissan Leaf, but it remains a useful feature for longer-range vehicles as well.
What does it Cost per Mile to Drive an Electric Vehicle?
By
Paul Gipe
Here in California it costs costs a little less than $0.06 per mile for us to charge our Bolt EV at home. Elsewhere in North America it may cost half that to charge at home. The cost to drive on electricity in California is about one-half that of driving with gasoline for most vehicles. It’s even less expensive driving electric than it is driving a Prius.
Net Cost of a Lease for a 2018-2019 Chevy Bolt EV in the San Joaquin Valley
By
Paul Gipe
Since we and friends each leased a Chevy Bolt in November 2017, we’ve watched prices rise and stay high. Several of our friends and acquaintances have considered a Bolt, GM’s first mass-produced, all-electric car. They’ve been turned away by the cost. In part this is due to the good deal we negotiated with our local Chevy dealer here in Bakersfield. Our non-electric friends want the same deal or something similar.
Our Lease of a Chevy Bolt and What it Cost Us
By
Paul Gipe
On 9 November 2017 we leased a Chevy Bolt EV for about the cost of a cell-phone plan. We chose the base model, the LT, with fast-charge option, heated front seats, and heated steering wheel. In our experience, these items should be standard on all electric vehicles (EVs) even in sunny southern California.
Go Electric Now: There’s never been a better time to drive an electric car–especially in California
By
Paul Gipe
With a slew of new electric vehicles (EVs) on the horizon, dealers are trying to move existing electric cars off their lots. One long-range EV, the Chevy Bolt, can be had in California for the price of an inexpensive cell phone plan.
