Electric Vehicles Are More Affordable and Capable Than Ever

There’s a widely held perception that you have to spend a lot of money to buy a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), but that reality is quickly becoming a thing of the past! At Schomp Honda, we’re looking to the future, and let us tell you, the future is ELECTRIC. 

The Honda lineup of electrified vehicles truly stands out with stylish options for any lifestyle. Plus, they all include innovative Honda Sensing® technology for more confidence on the road.

Surveys show that drivers who have driven one of these cars or trucks find they’re loving the fast acceleration, smooth handling and quiet ride of electric vehicles. But according to Cars.com research, “The primary obstacles preventing consumers from buying electric vehicles are cost (34%), limited range (32%) and a lack of charging stations (32%).”

The latest electric Honda models address these concerns. Two convenient charging options make plugging in easy, whether you’re at home or on the go. Level 1 charging is an easy way to charge at home using any compatible 120-volt wall power outlet. It allows you to fully charge in 12 hours. Level 2 charging is the most convenient and least expensive way to charge your vehicle. It gives you the flexibility to power up at home, the office or anywhere there is a 240-volt charger. Level 2 charging lets you fully charge in 2.5 hours.

There are over 20,000 charging stations conveniently located throughout the United States, and with the available HondaLink®* app and PlugShare, they’re easy to find. Explore the different options for charging your Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

True – EVs’ sticker prices often look high. Considering all factors, including available rebates/tax credits, they actually could cost less than comparable gas-powered vehicles, especially the longer and farther they are driven.

Considerable research backs up these conclusions, done on a state-by-state basis. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (based outside of Denver) and the Idaho National Lab, found that over a 15-year lifespan, it could cost up to $14,500 less to run a BEV than fueling a comparable gas-powered vehicle.

The research included per-mile costs, electric tariffs and costs of charging equipment and used the 2020 average of 15 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), assuming that 81 percent of the charging was done at home, 14 percent at a workplace or public charger and five percent with a DC fast charger.

• Incentives? Up to $7,500 federal tax credits; many states also offer incentives/credits, lowering the up-front purchase cost.

• Maintenance costs? The Department of Energy estimates regularly scheduled maintenance for a BEV at 6.1 cents per mile, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for internal combustion engines (ICEs). Costs are just a little higher for PHEVs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), but lower than ICEs.

• What about batteries? The high-voltage lithium-ion batteries that power our electrified vehicles are designed for long-term use. They’re covered by an 8-year/100,0000-mile limited warranty, which means less worrying about repair costs.

• Trade-in value? Newer electric vehicles – ones with ranges exceeding 200 miles – seem to be holding their value as well as their ICE counterparts and with battery technology rapidly improving, they will improve in value.

Research your own savings at the federal government’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. It’s the government’s one-stop source for information about costs, vehicles, charging locations and more. A lot of other information and answers to questions is widely available.

To fight climate change and air pollution, several states are planning to ban ICE sales in the future – some as early as 2030. Manufacturers are responding with plans to either stop manufacturing ICEs or vastly increase their BEV and PHEV offerings. The recently passed federal infrastructure bill should provide a boost, as would the proposed Build Back Better Act.

Electric vehicles are on a fast track, and accessible to all consumers when everything is considered. Honda has announced plans to make 100% of our vehicle sales electrified by 2040. And we plan to build EVs at our plants in the U.S.