A guide to clean and efficient vehicle technology. Brought to you by California Air Resources Board.
Welcome to California's buying guide and resource center for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). We'll help you compare your options and take the next steps into PEV ownership.
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BEVs run completely on electricity stored in batteries and have an electric motor rather than a gasoline engine.
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PHEVs combine an electric motor that can be plugged in and recharged, with a gasoline engine.
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Answers
to Your Questions
Q. Why should I drive electric?
A. Plug-in electric cars deliver all the features and safety of a regular gasoline car with additional benefits. With lower fuel costs (electricity vs. gasoline) and lower maintenance costs, PEVs cost less to own…Read More
Q. How far can I drive?
A. It depends upon your choice of PEV and your driving style. Pure battery electric vehicles can generally go 60 – 120 miles on a full charge, which is plenty of range for most people (the average Californian travels less than 40 miles a day). If more range flexibility is needed…Read More
True
or Not?
Myth: Plug-in vehicles don’t have enough range.
Fact: The average Californian drives less than 40 miles per day. Battery electric vehicles have a range of at least double that, and plug-in hybrids can travel at least 300 miles on a combination of electricity and gasoline.
Myth: Plug-ins will crash the electrical grid.
Fact: Most electric car charging will happen during off-peak times, so this is very unlikely to happen. The Nissan LEAF draws a modest 3.3 kilowatts – you can compare that to your 4.4 kilowatt clothes dryer.
