Drive the Road Electric at Drive217

December 8th, 2021 by

person about to charge electric car

Drive the Road Electric at Drive217


Shop Electric Cars and Used Electric Cars

For the biggest selection of electric vehicles (EV) in Eastern Illinois, shop Drive217. We have the best in electric SUVs, cars, and trucks—from the newest 2021 Tesla models to the Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier with prime features like heated seats to keep you cozy.

What Exactly is An Electric Car?

We’ve all heard of electric cars, but how exactly do they differ from gas-powered vehicles? An electric car is powered by one or more electric motors that use energy stored in battery packs. Because they don’t use internal combustion engines, they have no exhaust emissions, lower overall emissions, and are much quieter than regular vehicles.

Newer electric vehicles are equipped with the same features as other vehicles, including capability assets like all-wheel drive, safety features like HD surround cameras, and technology features including color touch screens with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capability. They even have fancy style options like alloy wheels and leather seating.

The Advantages of Electric Cars

EVs generally have several advantages over gas-powered vehicles. The best perk for most electric vehicle owners is that they can save you money. Whether you plug in at home or at one of the thousands of charging stations across the nation, electric cars are cheaper to fuel than their gas counterparts.

And, electricity providers in the 50 largest US cities offer electricity rate plans that make charging up cheaper than filling up on gasoline. This can add up to an average yearly savings of over $770. You also save on maintenance costs because electric engines have fewer moving parts like spark plugs and timing belts, and don’t need oil changes.

EVs—Cutting Down on Your Emissions

Even though the electricity used to charge an electric vehicle comes from the coal grid, EVs still produce less pollution than their gasoline powered counterparts. The average EV in the United States produces about the equivalent of a gas car that gets 73 mph/gallon.

New innovations in rooftop solar panels and wind power sources will further reduce these emissions and maybe one day produce EVs with near-zero emissions.

Enjoy an Enhanced Driving Experience

Since an electric engine generates instant torque, EVs tend to have faster start rates and smoother, more responsive acceleration all around than vehicles with combustion engines. EVs also have a lower center of gravity which improves handling and responsiveness.

Electric vehicles are much quieter than gas vehicles, which means a more pleasant ride, better sound quality from your stereo system, and, with the windows open, a better chance to enjoy your surroundings whether you’re roaming the countryside or cruising the big city.

The Convenience of Charging Up Your EV

Many people worry about the convenience of charging an electric vehicle. However, no matter how many miles of range your EV gets, there’s enough charging stations for everyone. And, it’s super easy to charge your car at home—especially with the faster level home charging stations now available.

If you’re thinking about going electric, stop by Drive217 today. We’ll be glad to answer all of your questions and let you test drive any of our large inventory of EVs from a range of manufacturers including Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Ford, Nissan, Tesla, and more.