How Much Does An Electric Vehicle ACTUALLY Cost to Maintain?

The Jetsons is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of electric vehicles, not necessarily a floating utopia equipped with flying cars, but it’s definitely a wave of the future.  With countless manufacturers rolling our production vehicles and prototypes, it’s not difficult to get lost in the shuffle.  We’ve heard the conversation around electric vehicles: they’re quiet, cheap to maintain, and environmentally friendly.  Lets delve a bit deeper and get the actual price of maintaining one.

According to Edmunds: to figure out the cost of fueling an EV, start with the electric car's energy consumption rate, which is expressed as kWh per 100 miles (kWh/100m). This figure will be listed on the EPA's upcoming EV fuel economy label (the 2011 Leaf's preliminary label is shown here, complete with an erroneous 12-cent per kWh figure in the cost estimate that Nissan says it is correcting). The next figure is your home electric rate, assuming that's the primary charging site. Multiply the kWh/100m figure by the electric rate to get the cost per 100 miles. For instance, the Leaf's kWh/100m figure is 34. If electricity is 11 cents per kWh — the national average — it would cost $3.74 to go 100 miles.

Utility companies, and the time and level of use set the electricity cost.  You pay more for kWh at peak hours, making a lot of electric commuters pay more than the national average of 11 cents per kWh.  How do real individuals save on their electric vehicles? 

Tom and Cathy Saxon have two electric vehicles.  They installed separate electric meters for their EVs (electric vehicles) in July 2009 and have been tracking them since then.  The Saxton's Tesla is consuming at a rate of 30.8 kWh/100m (bettering its official EPA rating); the RAV4 is averaging about 35 kWh/100m.  They pay an average of 11.25 cents per kWh.  In other words, they drive about 30 miles on a dollar’s worth of electricity, it would be much more expensive to drive with gas.  Results do vary, depending on a couple factors like when and where you’re charging, but the true cost of filling up is a tad more complicated than expected.

Top Car Technologies voted by car buyers

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The Top Car Technologies Voted By Car Buyers

A J.D. Power Report discussed car buyers’ favorite technological advances when it comes to their vehicles.  We all play victim to the vast power and influence of electronics.  From the DVR recorder in our homes we use to record shows like Desperate Housewives and Top Gear, to the iPad that sits on our lap at the dinner table, we’re all connected in one way or the other.  At the dealership, we love new technology.  So, according to J.D. Power and Associates, these are the top 10 technologies car buyers’ need:

1.    Run-flat tires – these tires protect you from a flat by providing an additional 50 miles at 50 mph to get to a gas station after your tire pops.

2.    Navigation Systems – an in-dash navigation system is a great tool for finding your away around.  Use this to find local restaurants, navigate a new city, and in some cases, avoid traffic.

3.    Premium Surround Sound System – everyone can appreciate a great sound system.  How else can you listen to Michael Jackson’s Thriller at full blast?

4.    Back-up Assist – SUVs are especially avid at including these.  Back-up assist acts as a rear-view camera that boosts your visibility when backing up.  Great for avoiding objects like bicycles and other vehicles.

5.    Heated/Cooled Seats – These seats have small “pinholes” that emit cool (or hot) air to flow from a fan or air condition unit embedded in the seats.

6.    Keyless Entry System – Keyless entry is easy because the small keyless sensor stays in your pocket or purse, allowing you to start your car remotely.  By being in close proximity you can unlock dorrs and push a button on the dash to start your engine. 

These are just a few of the tech that people need to have, for the full list visit http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-tech.pg,0,5168532.photogallery

Some fun Travel Games that don't require Electronics

One of the best rides that I can remember was going to Kentucky with my best friend and her parents.   It was fun because we played games in the car during the long trip. This was before video games, tablets, cell phones of course. Some of us here at Bernardi Honda of Natick thought we would share some of our favorite “Road Games” with you.   Who knows it may even give you a chance to re-connect with someone you love or help you pass the time.

1.)  Alphabet Soup – Start with the letter “A” watch signs, billboards, street signs etc. When someone finds a word that starts with that letter they get a point.  Go through the entire alphabet until you get to “Z” and the person with the most points wins.

2.)  20 Questions - One person begins and asks a simple question such as “What’s your favorite cereal? Or “if you could go back in time where would you go?” Each person answers the question and finally, the person asking the question answers.  The next person then proceeds.  (This game is always fun, and it helps to get to know each other better.)

3.)  Geography – Pick a letter then guess as many states, cities, and countries that you can come up with to win points.   First person to reach 100 wins.

4.)  Scramble – Think of  5 to 6 letter word,  scramble the letters to stump your opponents.  Take turns. 

Sure these games maybe old fashioned but they can help to re-connect your family, help you to become closer and just simply pass the time.  If all else fails you can always have a DVD player installed in your car.  For this and other trip tips visit our website at  or give us a call.  800-254-0013