New Year’s resolutions can be a wonderful addition to our lives. As we set and commit to goals, we develop habits that make us happier, healthier, and more connected to others.

As the New Year begins, we recognize that many of our behaviors and actions cause environmental damage, and we commit to remedying this through new and revitalized lifestyle choices. These worthy goals are based on opportunities to heal and protect our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps urgently needed to put the world on a sustainable and resilient path.

One effective way to do this is to switch to an electric vehicle (EV) – it fulfills many of our New Year’s resolutions, such as our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and making better use of the earth’s resources.

And after Consumer reports, Should you choose to purchase an electric vehicle, your savings can range from $ 6,000 to $ 10,000 over your current vehicle.

Lower greenhouse gas emissions and our New Years resolutions

Driving an electric vehicle to fulfill your New Year’s resolutions will definitely reduce transportation emissions – electric vehicles go a long way towards creating a less carbon-intensive lifestyle. This is because private and commercial traffic is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases, accounting for around 28% of all greenhouse gases in the US.

The US EPA states that electric vehicles produce an average of 3,700 pounds of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, compared to more than 11,400 pounds of average CO2 equivalent emissions from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. An electric vehicle emits far fewer greenhouse gases than the average new ICE vehicle because the former does not produce any tailpipe emissions.

When you drive an electric vehicle, you are helping to make the air we breathe cleaner.

Are you concerned about the emissions from the production of electric vehicles? Some organizations even go so far as to fund social accounts to offset emissions and take into account the CO2 created when the cars were built. But the more the electricity grid is decarbonised, the greater the advantage of electric vehicles over conventional cars, according to the Yale School of Environment.

Lower fuel costs

Did you know your New Year’s resolutions can help you save money over the life of your EV? Electric vehicle drivers can save up to $ 10,500 in fuel costs over a 15 year period compared to gasoline vehicles.

The cost of charging electric vehicles depends on several factors, including the price of electricity, type of charging equipment, installation costs and the number of kilometers driven. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory examined data on EV usage and charging to determine the weighted average cost of charging an EV. They found that the nationwide average charging costs for electric vehicles are between 8 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) and 27 cents per kWh, with an average of 15 cents per kWh.

Less maintenance costs

Have you made some New Year resolutions to make better use of your time? When driving an EV, you don’t spend long meetings in a depressing service department, waiting for oil changes and other minor repairs – an EV is a much simpler vehicle and therefore requires fewer repairs.

Light battery-powered electric vehicles are generally less expensive than ICE vehicles. The estimated scheduled maintenance cost for a light electric vehicle is 6.1 cents per mile, while an ICE vehicle is 10.1 cents per mile. A recent report shows that after higher costs in the first year, after 3 years, the service costs for electric vehicles are 30% lower than the costs for gasoline vehicles.

Efficient use of energy for New Years resolutions

Do you want to have a 2022 in which your energy consumption will decrease? Electric vehicles have a more efficient powertrain than an internal combustion engine. The NRDC states that electric motors convert over 85% of electrical energy into mechanical energy or motion, compared to less than 40% in an internal combustion engine. These efficiencies are even lower when you factor in the losses as heat in the drivetrain, which is the collection of components that transmit the power generated in an electric or internal combustion engine to the wheels.

Electric cars are much, much more energy efficient than gas or diesel powered cars. The most efficient cars on the market are all 100% battery electric cars, and EV batteries can now last for over a decade in temperate climates.

Tax credits can lower the purchase price

As part of a broader effort to stop global warming and incentivize cleantech, the US government decided to renew the electric vehicle tax credit for manufacturers who sell more than 200,000 electric vehicles. This bill, which contains several provisions, is pending after the Build Back Better bill is passed. Cross your fingers: you may be able to save up to $ 7,500 with federal tax credits. This page gives you an overview of what to expect.

(Sigh. My new Tesla Model Y doesn’t appear to be eligible for federal tax credits on this letter.)

Some state and local governments may also offer additional incentives.

Various charging options, AKA No more fear of range

Electric vehicles tend to have a smaller carbon footprint than ICE vehicles, even when the electricity used for charging is taken into account. In addition, technological innovations have significantly expanded the range of a single charge in the early EV iterations.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory says more than 80% of EV charging is done at home. Home chargers can often be installed in your garage or carport. Public EV charging is another option as chargers become more and more available in communities and on the streets in the United States. This is because politicians, businesses and consumers have recognized the importance of chargers for electric vehicles and are now asking about them.

Electrify America, the nation’s largest public network of ultra-fast charging stations for electric vehicles, is one such option. The company plans to install more than 1,800 fast charging stations and 10,000 individual chargers in the USA and Canada by 2026. Now available as part of the Volkswagen settlement, many motorways and metropolitan areas now offer charging. The great thing about them is that they are in safe, well-lit areas with nearby activities like restaurants, grocery stores, retailers, malls, convenience stores, and banks so you can run your errands while it is charging.

Electrifying everything is central to our New Year’s resolutions

A big part of your New Years resolution is likely to turn your energy use off of all fossil fuels, starting with replacing home appliances, heating systems, landscaping equipment, and vehicles with electric versions that run on clean electricity. The idea of ​​electrifying everything is definitely taking off.

There are many examples around the world of the transition to electrification of everything. Many European cities have set up zero emission zones in the center of the city where only electric vehicles are allowed; It is a political initiative that will encourage more people to buy electric vehicles. General Motors appears to have paid attention to the importance of electrifying everything as it has just announced a plan to expand electrification to many areas other than its core vehicle manufacturing business.

Yes, public and private sector organizations need to work together for green energy solutions that increase electricity availability from zero-emission sources, create viable transmission grids to deliver energy reliably and economically, and allay concerns about the transition to an all-electric transport sector. But you can do your part by making your New Years resolution to move to an EV. You’ll be glad you did.

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