Tips for First-Time EV Owners

Electric vehicles (EVs) have different modes that affect their performance and power consumption. It is essential to familiarize yourself with all of your car's capabilities so that you can make informed decisions about battery usage. While this may seem straightforward advice, testing your EV's potential range will give you the most accurate estimate of how far you can travel. The EV Database is an excellent tool, providing more realistic insights into the expected day-to-day driving range.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports over 18,000 public charging stations nationwide. However, it is still important to consider the range of your vehicle and plan for charging stops along your route. Using a route planning app before you go can help you find suitable charging locations and times to enjoy your drive without worrying about running out of power.

If you can get a home charger, go for it. The convenience of charging your vehicle overnight and waking up to a fully charged battery is unmatched. A Level 1 charger plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet only adds a limited number of miles of range per hour of charging. This means recharging your battery after a long road trip could take an entire day. A Level 2 charger plugs into a 240-volt outlet, is much faster. It can add up to 25 miles of range per hour of charging, so you can fully recharge your battery in a few hours. This makes charging your vehicle at home much more convenient and saves you money on electricity costs. 

There are many places to charge your electric vehicle locally, such as shopping centers, libraries, workplaces, and parking lots. However, range anxiety can be problematic when going on a long trip or vacation. You can easily plan your route and find charging stations using platforms like PlugShare and ChargePoint. Google Maps can also help you get directions, and most electric vehicles have this functionality built-in into their navigation system.

Electric cars typically require less maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles. However, it would help if you still did a few essential things to keep your electric vehicle in good condition. Electric cars are just as susceptible to tire problems as gasoline-powered cars. Make sure to check your tire pressure regularly and replace tires as needed. It is best to rotate your tires every 6 months or 7,500 miles and flush the brake fluid every 3 years. The cabin air filter helps to keep the air in your car clean and free of pollutants. Change the filter every 12 months or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Driving a car that runs quietly and produces no emissions is a fantastic experience, so remember to enjoy yourself on the road. Shopping for an electric vehicle at Haasz Automall Ravenna is exciting, hassle-free, and convenient. Our knowledgeable sales consultants will happily review all the options for all make and models. We can also answer your questions, introduce our service department, or show you how easy it is to get financing. Please schedule a test drive today.