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Gas prices are through the roof and we're feeling the pinch at the gas station. Is now the right time to invest in an electric vehicle? There's no sugarcoating it: Automobiles leave a big footprint. Extracting petroleum products from the earth and shipping them around the planet is both energy-intensive and damaging (let's not forget about oil spills!). There's also the tailpipe emissions problem: vehicles in the US are responsible for a whopping one-third of all air pollution in the country. The rollout of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and traditional hybrids is good news if you’re looking for an alternative to the combustion engine, and that's because these models provide energy-efficient transportation while lowering/eliminating tailpipe emissions, diminishing noise, and reducing operating costs. On today's show my guest and I outline 5 things to consider before purchasing or leasing your next vehicle. Jon Linkov is the Deputy Autos Editor at Consumer Reports and he brings a wealth of real-world knowledge as both a tester of cars and an owner of an electric vehicle to our conversation.
Here's a preview: [2:30] The major differences as well as the minor intricacies that distinguish hybrids and plug-in hybrids from electric vehicles [9:00] The price problem: Weighing sticker prices with federal and state rebates and gasoline costs [13:00] Everything you need to know about the $7500 US Federal Tax Incentive on (some) electric vehicles [17:30] Should we be concerned about running out of charge? All-things charging, charging stations, at-home charger installation, and the average driving ranges of top EV models [22:00] Do EVs and hybrids need more frequent — and more expensive — maintenance? (Hint: the answer is no.) [24:00] Jon's thoughts on whether alternate technologies are actually fun to drive Resources mentioned and further reading:
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