Electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay! Read on to learn everything you need to know about making the switch.
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With no oil changes required, it’s much easier to care for EVs. Plus, they can save you hundreds of dollars on fuel each year.
EVs can accelerate faster and brake more smoothly than most gas-powered cars – all with a near-silent motor.
EVs can significantly lower your greenhouse gas emissions and improve the air quality in your neighborhood.
Consumer Reports | 5 min. 52 sec.
Consumer Reports’ Director of Auto Testing, Jake Fisher, explains the differences – and similarities – between electric and gas cars
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Whether you’re buying a new or used vehicle, you can bring the cost way down.
Combine rebates and take advantage of incentives.
Rebates are just the start of your savings. EVs cost an average of $1,120 less to fuel and maintain each year. Rack up thousands of dollars in savings over time as you lower your carbon footprint.
| EV | PHEV | ICE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs & Maintenance | $180 | $320 | $420 |
| Gas | - | $1,110 | $2,400 |
| Charging | $1,520 | $960 | - |
| Tailpipe Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions | 0 | 2 Metric Tons of CO2e | 5 Metric Tons of CO2e |
| Total | $1,700 | $2,390 | $2,820 |
*Annual costs and emissions are based on 15,000 miles of driving reflecting MA gas costs, electricity rates, and emissions factors. Repairs and maintenance costs are estimated based on a per-mile calculation from Consumer Reports for the first 50,000 miles of a typical vehicle within each category.
Get a personalized look at what you can save on fuel based on your driving habits.
Zip past car traffic on an e-bike
The federal tax credits mentioned in these testimonials are no longer available. Please see our incentives page for available state rebates and incentives.
How reliable are EVs during the winter?
EVs are very reliable during the winter. Just like gas vehicles, EV reliability in the winter depends on the model. There are a growing number of EV options on the market so you can choose vehicles with higher clearance or all-wheel drive to help you drive with confidence during snowstorms.
You can also equip any EV for winter driving by using snow tires. Studies have shown using winter tires is the single most important choice you can make for safe winter driving. In most cases, switching your tires won’t have a significant impact on EV range.
Another factor to consider in winter is driving range. When temperatures drop, any vehicle – gas or electric – becomes less efficient. Depending on the model and conditions, some EVs can temporarily reduce range by 30-50%. You can plan accordingly by preheating your EV while it’s plugged in, charging more frequently, and/or taking other measures recommended by the manufacturer to boost cold weather range.
To learn more tips about winter driving with EVs, watch this short video from Consumer Reports.
How long do EV batteries last? Can they be recycled?
If your EV battery does need to be replaced or retired, it can very likely be recycled (or even reused in another application). Many EV manufacturers partner with battery recycling programs to recycle all end-of-life batteries from their EVs. But there’s a lot that companies can do with EV batteries even once they’re not suitable for use in EVs. Most EV batteries use the same lithium-ion chemistry that powers smartphone and laptop batteries, which contain valuable metals that can be recovered and reused in new batteries. For more information on battery recycling, check out this resource: Everything You Need to Know about EV Battery Disposal.
What is the carbon footprint of EVs?
The carbon footprint of an EV depends on several factors, including how often it’s driven, the make and model, and the source of electricity powering the vehicle. But no matter the model, mileage, or power source, EVs are consistently much better for the environment (and your community’s air quality) than gas-powered cars. Even when considering the more carbon-intensive manufacturing process that EV batteries require, these initial emissions are easily offset by the carbon emissions saved by driving an EV.
The average Massachusetts driver will produce 3 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide per year if they drive an EV when compared to a gas vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon.* To put that in perspective, driving an EV is like driving 5,500 fewer miles a year in a similar gas car. And the carbon footprint of EVs will continue to decline as Massachusetts adds more solar and wind power to our electric grid.
*According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, 2024.
How safe and reliable are EVs?
Overall, EVs are extremely safe and reliable. Just like any vehicle, electric vehicles undergo thorough testing to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Drivers can rest assured that EVs are just as safe as gas cars.
Because of negative news stories from isolated incidents – like a widespread recall of Chevy Bolts recall – many drivers have a misperception that EVs catch on fire more often. In fact, EVs are even less prone to fires than gas vehicles.
EVs also usually carry their battery packs on the bottom, which gives them a low center of gravity and makes it harder for them to flip. This makes them sturdier in the event of accidents.
Many EV models offer added safety features like automatic emergency braking or cross-traffic alerts to prevent crashing. You can find more information about the safety rating and features of specific models you’re interested in by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
Call 888-391-4959 or email EV@masscec.com.
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“The big win for me is avoiding the hassle of maintenance and oil changes. With no internal combustion engine, there is very little to maintain, and I also get to avoid having to go to gas stations.”– Beverly
