Blog Layout

Electric Vehicles: Weighing Your Options

Roberta Willson • May 18, 2023

Electric vehicles were introduced in 2011 when it captured about .2% of the car sales market. Flash forward to 2022, 14% of the new car market was made up of electric vehicles… a 6,900% increase. The question we want to answer is: “Are electric vehicles better than gas?” Let’s get into the good, the bad, and the ugly truth about electric vehicles. 

The Benefits


The first and most obvious benefit to electric vehicles is the benefit to the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels to decrease global warming. In addition, electric vehicles tend to have fairly low maintenance costs and trending toward higher resale values. There is no more need for a gas station trip and although your electric vehicle will need to be charged, your long term costs are much more predictable and not dependent on fluctuating gas prices. One of the major benefits that is not heavily discussed is that the electric car market allows for an increase of job opportunities in manufacturing. 

The Drawbacks


When you are deciding between an eclectic vehicle or a gas vehicle for your next car, it is important to weigh the pros and cons and be prepared with your decision. One of the drawbacks of purchasing an electric vehicle are high upfront costs. The initial upfront costs can include the actually vehicle, an “at-home” charging station, and possible higher insurance rates. Even though electric vehicles have been around for over a decade, they are still lacking a real owner/operator infrastructure - i.e. charging station, tax incentives, and others. While you will save money on gas and the ever changing gas prices, you will still need to charge them and depending on the type of charger, it can take hours to fully charge vs. a 5 minute gas fill up. 

Summary


When purchasing a new vehicle, there are so many choices out there and it all begins with gas vs. electric/hybrid. You want to make sure you are well informed and do your research to understand the pros and cons to your options. In the past, we have written a blog titled “
Gas Vs Hybrid Vs Electric Vehicle - What is Right for You”. Good luck with your next purchase - no matter what option you end up with. 

By Jason Pelland 08 Feb, 2024
Just like us, our vehicles operate a little differently based on the season and temperatures outside. Here in New England, we get all kinds of weather but what does that mean for your car and getting the best gas mileage by the season. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your fuel economy, all year long!
By Roberta Willson 24 Jan, 2024
Is it time for a new vehicle? Are you looking for a great way to make some money before you purchase a new or used vehicle? Did you just put on new tires or new parts into your vehicle? A salvage yard is a great option! A salvage yard might give you more money for your vehicle or parts than from a private sale or as a trade-in at a dealership. Once you have decided to bring your vehicle to a salvage yard, now what? How do you prepare yourself before you arrive and what happens when you get to the salvage yard? Let’s go through the steps to get you the cash you want from your used vehicle! Step One: Make sure you have the title to your vehicle. In order to sell your car to anyone, you need the title to your vehicle and a salvage yard is no exception. If you cannot find or have lost your title, you can request a new one from the RMV. The requirements to obtain a copy are dependent based on which state you live in.
By Roberta Willson 16 Nov, 2023
The national average through 2023 is $3.58 per gallon of gas with it fluctuating each and every month. The good news is that we have seen gas prices go down over the last 12 months but it is still high enough to affect where people go on vacations, holidays, and even just weekend activities. If you are looking to save some cash with the holidays just around the corner. Here are six tips to help you get the most out of that pricey gallon of gas!
25 Sep, 2023
The trend towards smaller cars has been in the works for awhile but this year was the first year that critics and consumers agree - smaller is actually better. Gas pricing are soaring, parking is expensive, the economy is still recovering and where consumers can save some money are on smaller cars. Smaller cars mean less gas, mostly likely a lower MSRP, which in turns would mean cheaper upfront costs or even monthly car payments. Let’s discuss 5 reasons for this trend.
By Jason Pelland 29 Aug, 2023
Did you get a letter in the mail from the manufacturer, car dealership or even check online to find out that your vehicle has a recall? What should you do, how urgent is the recall, what steps do you need to take to ensure your vehicle is at its’ optimal preference level? First, let’s put it into perspective. While a recall is not something you should ignore; there are over 400 recalls a year that affect more than 25 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. In addition, the average vehicle will have 4 recalls in its lifespan and recalls never expire. Now that we have some perspective. What is the first thing you need to do once you become aware of your vehicle’s recall status? If you purchase your vehicle new or used from a dealership, contact them directly and they will advise you. If you purchased your vehicle through a private seller, contact the vehicle manufacturer and they are required by law to either repair the issue, replace the recalled item or refund the purchase price of the vehicle, minus depreciation.
By Roberta Willson 12 Jul, 2023
Our vehicles go through a lot. Most of us will ignore some noises that come out of our vehicle but there are some that just cannot be ignored. The question is, what are those noises that need your immediate attention.
By Roberta Willson 07 Jun, 2023
It might not always feel like summer in New England but it’s right around the corner. As summer arrives, road trips may be in your future. Road trips can be fun and adventurous but having any car issues could certainly put a damper on your road trip. Let’s discuss how to get your vehicle “road-trip ready” so you can focus on the fun and adventure and not any mishaps with your vehicle!
By Roberta Willson 26 Apr, 2023
We are excited to see the trend over the last decade lead to the average vehicles being recycled each year rising. This trend is likely to do with the increased awareness of recycling and the increasing number of facilities in your area. Today, more than 80% of vehicles can be recycled. So, exactly how are cars recycled these days? Decrease Pollution or “Depollution” Removal of fluids - some are repurposed or resold in order to be reused and other (Hazardous material fluids) are disposed of. Salvage yards have the legal obligation to dispose of these fluids safely and we take our job seriously to ensure the upmost safety of our customers and employees. All fluids are removed, a process that is known as “depollution.” Fluids such as gasoline, antifreeze, washer fluid or transmission oil can all be recycled and reused. As stated earlier, hazardous materials must be properly managed to avoid environmental damage. Some examples include air conditioning refrigerant, lead wheel weights, and anything containing mercury. Take Apart The next step is to take the vehicle apart in search of reusable parts. You may not realize this but many car parts can be scrapped and reused. From the car engine to the stereo system and even the axles and seats - these can all be recycled. After the vehicle is taken apart, the car engine and transmission are removed and any usable parts are removed and cleaned. Other components such as tires and batteries are also removed for resale or recycling.
By Roberta Willson 03 Apr, 2023
The new car market is still on the rise with hopes of a return to normal in 2023. This market has forced everyone to pivot from new cars to more used vehicles but that presents its own new challenges. With used vehicle purchases on the rise, here are 5 factors to look for when shopping around for a quality used vehicle. 
By Roberta Willson 17 Jan, 2023
Your radiator plays an important role in keeping your vehicle safe and operational; that job is to keep your engine from overheating. If your radiator is not working correctly, it can lead to serious and more expensive issues. Here are 5 things to look out for that might mean you need a new radiator: Radiator Discoloration/Sludge Radiator coolant can be red, green, or bright yellow - if it looks rusty, black or us becoming sludge, it will impact your radiator and needs to be taken to a mechanic for an inspection. While this could be affected by different reasons, it is important to keep an eye out for this issue and get it checked right away.
More Posts
Share by: