Interested in hopping on the Electric Vehicle (EV)? You aren’t alone! There are more than 20,000 hybrid or all electric vehicles registered in Vermont, as of October 2025. Electric vehicles have gotten a lot of attention in the past several years, but their history actually goes back almost 150 years. Watch this video to learn how electric vehicles aren’t just the latest tech craze.
Are electric vehicles reliable?
Electric vehicles are extremely reliable. They have fewer parts than gas-powered vehicles thus they tend to have fewer maintenance issues. Of the issues encountered in EV’s, most commonly they are software glitches via the screens or back up cameras – a consequence of EVs being high-tech and rapidly-evolving. Read what people on Reddit have to say here about their experience with EV’s reliability.
Are electric cars as safe as gas-powered vehicles?
Electric cars are as safe, if not safer than gas-powered vehicles. The added weight of the components of an electric vehicle is an advantage in collisions. Despite the additional electrical elements, studies have shown that electric vehicles are actually slightly less likely to catch fire than gas or diesel-powered vehicles. For a wider overview, check out this research round-up to learn more about the safety of EVs.
How would switching to an electric vehicle save me money?
- Less Maintenance – With how electric vehicles are built, they tend to have less maintenance than their gas-power counterparts. Elements such as the motor, braking system, fewer fluids, etc tend to yield fewer issues. In fact, electric vehicles generally only need to be serviced once or twice a year for tire rotations and check-ups. A Consumer Reports study found that lifetime EV maintenance is on average half as much as that of a gas-powered vehicle.
- Cost of fuel – The cost of gas regularly rises and falls dramatically. Due to volatility and price swings, charging can be much less expensive. As the average electricity rate in Vermont has remained steady over the past several years, at home charging, and many public charging stations are dramatically cheaper than gasoline.
- Incentives – Your Energy Navigator can help you identify what incentives for EV’s exist and are applicable for you and the vehicle of your choice. You can also reference Drive Electric Vermont’s financing guide.
Should I consider leasing an EV?
EV technology is rapidly-evolving, with advances in efficiency, lower cost, and more. The option to lease a vehicle versus purchasing outright is a personal choice based on priorities, finances, etc. Read more about the choice between leasing and purchasing here. For some, choosing to lease an EV has the benefit of not tying you to a specific model or price point.
How does EV charging work?
When considering an EV, it is important to create a plan for charging. This plan would include identifying public chargers near you (Vermont has over 400 public chargers), potentially installing a charger at your home, and orienting yourself with EV charger functionality.
Where can I charge an EV?
There are lots of options! To see charging station locations across the state, check out this map. Beyond Vermont, if you’re planning a road trip, you can use this map to see all the EV stations in the US. Similarly, navigation apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, and others, have the ability to search for charging stations nearby/on your route (as you can with gas stations) and include updates on charger availability and type.
What are the different types of EV chargers?
There are three levels of chargers.
- Level 1 – uses a J1772 plug or Tesla connector that connects to a standard 120-volt AC household outlet. This is the most convenient charging option, and is often included with new electric cars. While this does not require any specific installed equipment, it is also the slowest (and thus most expensive per charge) option. It can take days to reach a full charge on level 1, as it only adds 2-4 miles worth of each hour. Due to this, this option alone often does not meet the daily needs for most EV owners.
- Level 2 – this option also uses a J1772 plug or Tesla connector but works 6 to 8 times as fast as level 1. It operates at 240 volts, which means that you are likely to purchase dedicated Level 2 charging equipment, and/or add electrical capacity to your home or add a switching breaker. These are also the types of chargers commonly found in public spaces. They can add 12-32 miles of driving range per hour of charging.
- Level 3 – also known as DC fast-chargers use a SAE Combo or CCS plug. They are the fastest, and can be useful during long trips. Fast-chargers can add as much as 100-250 miles in 30 minutes. They can be found at many public charging stations.
Check out this guide to learn more about the different types of chargers.
Note: The vast majority of EVs use the same type of connector, but Teslas use a manufacturer-specific connector for charging. There are adapters that allow for non-Tesla EVs to be plugged into Tesla chargers, and for Teslas to be charged by non-Tesla chargers.
Can EVs drive long distances?
Absolutely! It can be a good idea to do some research ahead of time and explore the map of EV chargers to get a sense of potential stops. With that said, as you can see on the maps, charging stations are quite common throughout most areas in the United States and Canada. If you want to hear more about taking an electric vehicle long distances, check out this YouTube channel which chronicles EV road trips of all lengths and locations.
How do EVs perform in the cold?
Similar to gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles run better when protected from cold temperatures. There are measures you can take to optimize your EV’s functioning in cold weather including parking indoors or in a covered area, warming your vehicle before driving, and protecting your charger from snow/frigid temperatures. Additionally, in cold weather, it is a good plan to charge your vehicle a little more than you normally would. This helps to accommodate for extra battery usage during colder temperatures. This extra battery usage can make a difference – available miles can decrease by up to 25-30% in the winter.
How do I choose an EV?
Drive Electric Vermont has designed this wonderful tool to view electric vehicle options available in Vermont, and filter based on your preferences. They will create a free, personalized EV guide for you based on your needs and interests.
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