Technology is constantly evolving, so it’s important to know what that means for you if you’re considering an EV today.

Pros

1Performance and power delivery: According to Car and Driver (September 29, 2022), the Rivian R1T, a 7,000-pound pickup truck, can get to 60 mph in three seconds. And the near-instant torque of the electric motor makes even more moderately powered EVs fun to drive.

2They’re cleaner: With no exhaust and no tail-pipe emissions, electric motors are cleaner than gas engines. And the fact that BEMC’s power mix is more than 55% nuclear makes driving an EV an even more environmentally sound decision.

3Less maintenance: Electric motors have fewer moving parts than combustion engines, and require less maintenance. There’s no need for oil changes, and the regenerative braking system on EVs wears out much more slowly than their gas-powered counterparts.

Cons

1Battery life: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the expected life of an EV battery is between 10 and 12 years. Although they can last longer than that estimate, the current cost of replacing a battery pack is several thousand dollars at a minimum. However, replacement costs will likely go down as more electric vehicles enter service.

2Charging worries: Although most EVs get a full charge overnight at home, if you’re driving more than a couple hundred miles, finding and using a charging station still takes planning. This is expected to change as local and state governments and organizations implement EV charging infrastructure plans.

3Towing toll: According to Car and Driver (September 29, 2022), although the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T can tow up to 10,000 and 11,000 pounds respectively, towing has an impact on range. They found that towing a 6,100-pound camper cut their ranges by two-thirds.