Why to consider an electric vehicle
I - like so many moms - drive a lot.
Volleyball carpools. School pickup. Target…I mean, errands. Checking new hotspots around town. I drive so much that I can tell you which potholes to avoid on nearly every Indianapolis street, and have replaced reading with audiobooks for the convenience.
Coupled with rising gas prices and the need to replace a family car, my husband and I recently began chatting about electric vehicles. Does one make sense for us? Is it reasonable for road trips? And how much does charging really cost?
Then after tossing the question out to our CityMoms members, we learned lots of mamas are thinking of EVs these days. (If you don’t already know that buzz-term, get ready to hear it a lot!).
So it felt like kismet when an email from the team at Motor landed in my inbox a few weeks ago.
Motor offers a monthly subscription service for electric vehicles, called Motor Drive, that was initially launched here in Indianapolis. With over 150 cars in their fleet and eight makes/models to choose from, subscribers have access to all different types of EVs from compact to luxury and can swap out their selection monthly. Find one you have to have? Motor will connect you with their trusted partners for final purchase. No seriously… They’re so passionate about EVs that they’ll literally say goodbye to your subscription dollars in favor of getting you into the right electric vehicle permanently.
And after having the treat of driving an EV thanks to Motor, here are my reasons why to consider buying an electric vehicle:
The obvious reason: The environmental impact. I’m channeling my engineering dad with this quick explanation - electric vehicles are powered by a lithium-ion battery. Because of this, there is no fuel burning (i.e. gas), no combustion engine, and no CO2 air pollution. Also, according to the EPA, EVs boast a smaller carbon footprint than cars running on gas (even when electric charging is factored in!) and produce fewer greenhouse gasses.
This is the future. And if you don’t believe me, just listen to the teenagers who got in my Tesla from Motor: “OHMIGAH THIS IS THE COOLEST.” “I’ve always wanted to ride in this car!” “I told my dad to get this.” Aside from the coolest-mom clout, many car companies say they’ll only sell EVs after a certain point; Jaguar vows to offer a completely electric fleet by 2025, and Volvo by 2030. In a world where gas resources are becoming scarce - and early adopters shift to more permanent activity - EV use is quickly heading skyward.
Charging them is NBD. But learning about the different types of charging may take a minute. Let me explain: Most EVs can be charged with what’s called a Level 1, a standard 120v outlet. This means you can plug your car literally into the same home outlet you’d plug your Dyson vacuum into. I’ve been doing this at home with my Motor car and gained about 30-40 miles charged overnight. If you want to charge the vehicle faster, there are Level 2 chargers available for installation, which requires a 240 V outlet (Bonus: Motor can install this for you with select subscription options!), and fully charge in 4-5 hours. Level 3 - or “superchargers” - are also available at select spots around the city (hiiiii Meijer Stores!), require a small fee for use, but charge a vehicle in a matter of an hour or so.
Yes, they’ll totally fit your lifestyle. Take it from our CityMoms who’ve put different cars from Motor Drive to the test: EVs are big enough for the team carpool (I’ve loved driving the Ford Mach-E), easy enough to travel in (download the EVgo app for charging station locations on road trips), have a crazy amount of space (no engine means most models have a “frunk” or front trunk for more storage, and the silence you guys. The absence of an engine makes for a significantly quieter drive and what mom doesn’t deserve a little more quiet in her life?
You’ll never need to worry about fluctuating gas prices again (and may actually save money in the long run). As I sat at a traffic light, a driver next to me shouted “I’ll bet you love your car right about now with $4/gallon gas prices!” She wasn’t wrong. With no gas station visits, less maintenance is needed, and even - in some cases! - tax credits from the federal government for an EV purchase.
Indy friends - don’t miss the Indy Electric Vehicle Showcase hosted at The AMP at 16 Tech - October 7th!
All this aside, I’ve loved the Motor Drive service and think it’s worth a try, especially if you’re considering going electric. It’s:
Commitment-free
All-inclusive: Motor handles the car registration, insurance, maintenance, roadside, trip planning, and offers a 24/7 concierge service to answer any questions
Delivered directly to your home or workplace
All included in one, low monthly fee.
If you decide to sign up today, use code CITYMOMS to save $200 off registration and $100/month for up to 3 months! Learn more on their website at: https://motorev.net/.
Want to know more about EVs? DM us your q’s on Instagram!
Additional resources:
Electric Vehicle Myths, United States Environmental Protection Agency
How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle?, Car and Driver
EV Charging Stations: Where to Find Them, What Type You Need, How to Pay, Car and Driver
The Biden-Harris Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan, The White House
