Electrify Everything:
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Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are fast, fun, and efficient. Maintenance is simpler and cheaper. Re-"fueling" is as simple as plugging into an electrical outlet, and you'll spend the equivalent of about $1.50 per gallon of gas to do so. (Here's the math on that.) EVs increase our energy independence and contribute to healthier air and lower carbon emissions. Multiple purchase incentives are available to help reduce the cost of buying an EV.
Drive Electric Vermont can answer most all your questions, including how EVs work, different models available for sale in Vermont, and purchase and ownership costs. Their factsheet on EVs covers standard purchase and lease costs, and their incentive calculator helps you figure your net cost. You can double check with this summary of federal, state, and utility incentives for electric cars, by zip code. Incentives for EVs have gotten more complex, with critical mineral and battery requirements.
Forbes explains how the incentives lead to a "more sustainable, equitable, and secure transportation future." MileageSmart is a program that aims to get more high-mileage cars on the road in Vermont for Vermonters who are at or below 80% median income (for Windsor County, $63,600 for a household of 4). It's for used cars, purchased through Vermont dealers, rated at 40 MPG or higher (currently 37 eligible models, including gas-electric hybrids, electric with gas backups, and all-electric). It offers an incentive of 25% of the vehicle cost, up to $5,000. Are you worried what switching to an EV means for winter driving? Read why Consumer Reports concludes that using winter tires matters more than having all-wheel drive. The Sierra Club electric vehicle guide helps you decide which models fit your driving needs and budget. Other Resources on EVs Information about the Preferred Electric Vehicle Dealership Network (Burlington area). Buyer's Guide to Drive Electric in Vermont's Upper Valley from Vermont Law & Graduate School. A list and capsule review of every EV for sale in the US. A 2022 analysis of the total cost of ownership for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and comparable electric vehicles (EV). A collection of analyses on the overall environmental impact of EVs. Efficiency Vermont's list of EV dealers in its Efficiency Excellence Network. |