Do EVs Save You Money?
Yes, EVs do save you money primarily through lower running costs over time, but also through tax incentives at purchase. Purely in terms of dollars and cents, electric vehicles tend to be roughly half the monthly running cost of a normal vehicle. Mechanically this is due to three main factors. The first and most immediately apparent is that electricity is much cheaper than gasoline. Not only is electric power cheaper, but unlike fossil fuels, it can be generated at your house. Solar collectors and small wind turbines can provide free electricity if installed, further lowering costs over the long term.
The second main mechanical factor that makes electric vehicles cheaper than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles is that electric motors are far more efficient than internal combustion engines. An engine spends more energy producing heat than actually moving the car as a byproduct of the contained explosions that drive internal combustion engine (or ICE) cars. Electric motors, by contrast, spend almost their entire allotted energy moving the vehicle forward, with minimal efficiency losses.
The third mechanical reason EVs are so much cheaper to run than ICE vehicles lies in the way engines need to be built. Electric vehicles have fewer parts in the actual powertrain than a normal engine, and because of that, tend to be far more reliable. In a normal engine, any one of hundreds of precisely timed moving parts even beginning to malfunction can turn a car into a paperweight.
By comparison, electric motors have just a single moving part, which is propelled in a near-frictionless manner by electromagnetism. The system does not even require lubricants, and in some light-duty applications, a cooling system isn’t even needed. With fewer parts, there are fewer things that can go wrong. Simply put, electric cars already tend to be much more reliable than fossil fuel-powered vehicles, despite their modern re-introduction having only truly started a decade ago.
All of these factors make electric vehicles less expensive to own over time. While most EVs tend to be more expensive upfront, that trend is also starting to decline because they are rapidly evolving, and relatively new technology is making it easier to make them. Currently, government incentives, including tax incentives, are in place to offset the initial higher cost. Depending on where one purchases a vehicle from, these incentives can add up to several thousand dollars overall.
What are the Three Types of EVs?
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Unlike the other two types of electric vehicles, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) operate entirely on electricity, without any sort of gasoline engine to help power the vehicle. This requires the battery to be recharged, either at public charging stations or through the use of an affordable home charging station. Kia BEVs are also capable of DC Fast Charging, allowing the battery to charge fully in a fraction of the time it takes through traditional Level 1 or Level 2 charging. BEVs are considered “Zero Emissions” vehicles as they do not emit any pollution through their tailpipe into the atmosphere. This removes all the environmental hazards of traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles, making BEVs the most environmentally-friendly vehicles on the market today.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) take a “best of both worlds” approach to vehicle design. PHEVs come with both electric motors and a gasoline engine. What makes them different from regular hybrid vehicles is the larger size of their batteries and the fact that they can be recharged by plugging in. Regular hybrid engines can travel only a couple of miles before the gasoline engine powers on to help take the strain off of the battery. In contrast, Current Kia PHEV models can travel somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-40 miles before the gasoline engine kicks on, offering an even greater advantage in fuel efficiency by using much less fuel––almost none at all to travel shorter distances. PHEVs are not capable of fast charging, however, and drivers can expect a bit of a wait, so charging is best done at home overnight.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) come with both an electric motor and a gasoline engine to power the automobile. Because HEVs cannot be plugged in to recharge, the energy in the battery comes from a process called “regenerative braking.” This process takes the kinetic energy that would be lost through braking in traditional automobiles, massively reducing fuel consumption. In a regular gas-powered automobile, this energy would be wasted, transformed into heat within the brake pads and the rotors. HEVs instead convert that energy into electricity. However, this means they are still reliant on gasoline to power the vehicle overall.
Can You Install Charging Stations At Home?
Yes, you can install a charging station at home as most electric vehicles are charged at home overnight, using self or dealer-installed charging equipment sold with the car. Charging at home is one of the electric car’s greatest advantages, largely because it means that daily errands can be run without ever needing to make an extra stop to fuel up. Electric vehicles come with their own chargers that are capable of just plugging into a standard 120V wall outlet like a laptop or cell phone charger. However, this method provides slower charging that is really only capable of charging a vehicle overnight.
True home-based electric car charging stations often use 240V outlets that have to be professionally installed. However, you can usually get a deal on installation when you purchase your first EV. As long as you have a garage, a home charger allows you to get the full potential from their electric vehicle and is one of the primary convenience upgrades electric cars have over their standard competitors. EVs have plenty of at-home options for easy charging, making them far more convenient than a gas-powered vehicle that you need to fill up at a gas station.
How Often Do You Need to Charge an Electric Car?
EVs are unique in that how often you need to charge them largely depends on how much range they have. For example, the Kia Niro EV has a range of up to 239 miles, the Chevy Bolt EV has a maximum range of about 259 miles, and the Nissan LEAF has a range of up to 226 miles. So, depending on how much you drive and how far your EV can go on a full charge will determine how often you need to charge your vehicle.
While it depends on one’s housing situation, most owners charge their electric cars overnight. Those living at an apartment or condo without a charger at home will generally charge their car daily every time they are at a location with a charger available. While safety concerns require a person to supervise their vehicle when filling with gasoline, an electric car simply gets plugged in and charges while you are free to eat, run errands, or work.
Charging requires a different paradigm than filling up with gasoline, largely because it is generally done at a destination and not a place along the route. While it does take about two to four times longer to fill an electric vehicle up with enough ‘fuel’ to continue a journey than an internal combustion engine powered car, that extra time is never spent simply waiting around. In most cases, that time is spent sleeping as the car charges overnight in the garage or shopping or eating while the car is charging in the parking lot.
The only time when charging an electric car is directly comparable to filling up a gasoline car is when on long road trips. Depending on the electric vehicle in question, in most cases, you will be charging every 150 to 200 miles. Each one of these stops will take less than half an hour, as you generally only charge up to 75% or 80% when road tripping. Trying to top off an electric car could take hours, but putting another couple hundred miles to get you to your next destination can take as little as a half-hour with DC Fast Charging capabilities. Plus, most EV sellers have apps that will help you plan your trip with charging stations in mind so you can plan places to stop and eat or sightsee on your journey while your car charges. Charging an EV isn't harder than fueling up a gas-powered vehicle; it's just different.
Electric Vehicle Maintenance
One of the benefits of owning an EV is that they require much less maintenance than a traditional gas-powered vehicle. An electric motor is cleaner and much simpler than a gasoline engine, and has a small fraction of the mechanical parts to worry about. This saves EV owners the costs and time associated with the menial maintenance of gas-powered motors like oil changes, cooling system flushes, transmission servicing, drive belt inspections, and spark plug replacements. Because of this, owners of Electric Vehicles may spend as little as 1/3 of the costs of maintenance that are associated with owners of gasoline-powered automobiles.
However, even though electric vehicles require less maintenance, there is still maintenance that needs to be done in order to keep your automobile running smoothly and safely. There is a series of checks and services that Kia suggests you adhere to as an owner of an electric vehicle. On a regular basis, it is important to examine all your tires for signs of excess wear. Additionally, drivers should be checking and refilling the windshield washer fluid as necessary.
At every 10,000 miles or one year, there is a longer checklist that should be maintained by a certified Kia technician. That checklist includes having the tires rotated and the suspension and brakes inspected. Additionally, the climate control system should be checked and the cabin air filter replaced. After 20,000 miles or two years, your Kia EV should also have its brake fluid replaced and its brake pedal inspected to ensure that it continues to stop quickly and safely. Finally, every 40,000 miles or four years, the reduction gear oil should be inspected. Not much compared to a traditional gasoline vehicle, is it?
It is important to note that just because they require significantly less maintenance than their counterparts, EVs are still susceptible to all the wear and tear that comes from excessive driving, bad roads, and extreme temperatures. Any components that are affected by those things including but not limited to steering and suspension components, lights, windows, and paint, could need to be replaced at any point, as with any vehicle. Consistent maintenance and care significantly reduces the chances that your EV will need any major repairs, but it does not guarantee it. By properly maintaining your vehicle, you make it as safe as possible for those and those who share the roads with you, increasing the probability that your Kia EV will last you for a very long time.
2022 Kia EV6
Sleek, sporty, aerodynamic, and ultramodern are some of the first words that come to mind when looking at the 2022 Kia EV6. This is an all-electric crossover vehicle with a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery powering a choice of one or two electric motors. This means that you get great performance, low emissions, and incredible range in a very roomy and luxurious Kia vehicle.
Kia has designed the EV6 to provide you with exceptional acceleration and outstanding performance. The 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery powers an electric motor in the rear axle on the standard edition, giving you 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of instant torque. An e-all-wheel drive edition is available with an extra electric motor in the front axle. All of that horsepower means that the EV6 can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.2 seconds. So, not only does the 2022 EV6 look fast, it goes like a shot too. The Kia EV6 is also strong, with the ability to tow up to 2,000 pounds.
One thing that some electric vehicle skeptics worry about is the range of the EV. The Kia EV6 has this covered with a targeted range of up to 300 miles in just one charge. What’s more, the 2022 EV6 is the first EV to feature a multi-charging system, allowing this vehicle to charge off 400V and 800V fast-charging stations. As a result, you can get up to 210 miles of all-electric range in 18 minutes with 800V charging. Just use your Kia App when you’re out on the road in your EV6 to find the nearest available charging station. Then, once you return home, you can recharge your 2022 Kia EV6 with the 11 kW onboard charger hooked to a Level 2 240V connection in your garage.
The exterior of the EV6 features E-GMP architecture that was developed by Kia exclusively for its line of EVs. It utilizes ultra-high-strength steel to both increase structural integrity and reduce vehicle weight, thus boosting both safety and performance. The EV6 rides on a set of 20-inch wheels, with a 5-link rear suspension to give you sports car performance and handling while your passengers enjoy luxury car comfort.
The EV6’s Vegan Leather interior shows Kia’s commitment to the environment by using sustainable materials. This interior has all the sleekness of real leather but without any animals being harmed in its manufacture. Dual curved 12.3-inch screens in the dashboard provide you with all the information you need while driving, including navigation, diagnostics, and entertainment. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system completes the package on the Kia EV6, giving you and your passengers the ultimate entertainment in this sporty, luxury electric crossover.
Kia Hybrids
If you aren’t ready to make the EV plunge, but you still want to get great fuel economy, then you should consider a hybrid vehicle. Kia offers an excellent lineup of hybrids to complement its growing lineup of EVs. While an EV’s powertrain consists solely of a lithium-ion battery powering one or two electric motors, a hybrid uses a combination of an internal combustion gas engine and an electric motor with a lithium-ion battery to power the vehicle. The way it works is that the electric motor provides all of the power at lower speeds with the gas engine charging the battery like a generator, and then this switches to a blend of the two engines at higher speeds. This has the effect of reducing fuel consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Hybrid vehicles tend to get exceptional fuel economy numbers in city driving, something that can’t be said about cars equipped with conventional gas engines only.
Kia offers two types of hybrid vehicles. The regular hybrid uses both the gas engine and brake recapture to keep the lithium-ion battery charged. This is known as regenerative braking, and it is also featured on plug-in hybrids and EVs. The second type is the plug-in hybrid. This is a very convenient way of recharging the lithium-ion battery on your hybrid. Simply plug it into a standard 110V or 220V socket in your garage, or use a supercharger while out on the road. Whichever one you choose, you are going to see your gas bills go down quickly, as you get fuel economy previously only experienced in cramped economy compact coupes, not midsize luxury sedans and SUVs.
If hybrid vehicles are something that interests you, then you’ll be happy to know that Kia currently offers two of its most popular models with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid model. The Niro is a sporty compact SUV that was designed from the wheels up as an alternative energy vehicle. In addition to the Niro EV, you can also get a Niro Hybrid and a Niro Plug-In Hybrid. In addition, Kia has also launched hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of its three-row Sorento, a very spacious, luxury midsize SUV that is already a leader in its vehicle class.
2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid
Drivers with large families have always been faced with a major dilemma. They can buy a three-row SUV with plenty of room for everyone, but then they are faced with the often less-than-optimal fuel economy of such vehicles. On the other hand, they can choose a more economical crossover SUV or sedan with better fuel economy, but then they are faced with not being able to fit everyone into the vehicle when heading out on a long trip.
Fortunately for Kia has found the answer for folks who need the roominess of a three-row SUV but also want great fuel economy. The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid provide the luxurious spaciousness of this great model with an incredibly fuel-efficient powertrain. As a result, you can now save at the gas pump while also being able to have room for six passengers in your SUV.
The Kia Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid pair a conventional gas engine with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. Both models feature a 1.6-liter Turbocharged I-4 conventional gas engine with a full parallel hybrid system. This engine features 16-valves in a double overhead camshaft configuration and uses continuously variable valve timing to improve efficiency. The transmission is a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters to give you greater control over performance. The 2022 Sorento Hybrid pairs its conventional gas engine with an AC synchronous permanent magnet motor in the front axle. This electric motor is powered by a 270V lithium-ion polymer battery. As for the 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, this model’s electric motor is powered by a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery.
The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will give you slightly better performance as well as better fuel economy in city driving. The combined hybrid powertrain on the 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid delivers 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This model gets 79 MPGe combined. In contrast, the 2022 Sorento Hybrid will give you 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. You should expect to get a combined 37 MPG with the Sorento Hybrid.
The other key difference between the two models relates to charging. The 2022 Sorento Hybrid relies solely on regenerative braking and the vehicle’s gas engine to charge the battery, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid provides a convenient port for recharging the lithium-ion battery when at home or out on the road. As a result, Kia estimates that the 2022 Sorento Hybrid will have a maximum range of 655 miles, while the 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will be able to go up to 466 miles, with 32 miles of electric-only driving on a single charge.
Both models come standard with front-wheel drive. Torque-vectoring all-wheel drive is available as an option on the 2022 Sorento. This features a center-locking differential system to adjust power between the front and rear axles to provide ideal traction, particularly in inclement weather.
Why Choose Raceway Kia?
Buying a new EV can be a scary process. The world is changing, and automobiles are rapidly evolving. As such, there is no shortage of available makes and models on the market. So why choose a Kia? And why choose Raceway Kia?
Kia has been at the leading edge of electric vehicle technology since 2015. For the last seven years, it has been consistently evolving and finetuning that technology to bring customers the absolute best blend of efficiency and function. Kia puts the onus on being able to drive pleasurably, uninterrupted, in any of its line of electric vehicles. Every Kia purchased comes with a vast array of services from a top-of-the-line battery warranty, convenient charging solutions, and smart connected services. When it comes to electric vehicles, there is nobody that offers a better combination of quality, efficiency, and service than Kia. Kia doesn’t believe in just selling you a vehicle; Kia believes in selling you peace of mind.
Raceway Kia is proud to serve as the premier New Jersey electric car dealer. Our dealership has an unmatched selection of electric models and prices perfect for any of your driving needs. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to listen to your desires and provide you with the perfect vehicle and service packages that are suitable to your lifestyle. As the largest Kia dealership in the area, we are confident that no one can do a better job at connecting you to your driving dreams than we can.
When you shop at our dealership, you’re not just getting a new Kia and the peace of mind that comes with it; you’re getting an additional family. One that supports your passions and wants to see you succeed. Raceway Kia isn’t just a dealership; we are also a maintenance facility, one that will happily assist you with any maintenance-related questions or concerns––not just now, but at any point in the future. Your happiness is our success, and we will stop at nothing to align those two things. From test-driving and purchasing a new Kia from our expanded inventory to receiving maintenance on your current vehicle, we are here for you.
