5 myths busted about owning electric vehicles in Alabama now

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There are many benefits to driving electric vehicles in Alabama. (Toa Heftiba / Unsplash)

When you think of electric vehicles (EVs), you may be a bit skeptical about how long the charge lasts, if they’re worth the money or how to prep your home for the new car. Read on to hear from local EV owners about their experience and the incentives and rebates EV drivers receive from Alabama Power.

Why an EV?

The insane technology is the best part. (Malte Helmhold / Unsplash)

First things first, we wanted to know what made these EV owners ultimately decide to make the big change. Overall, the cost benefits and convenience were the biggest factors for most drivers.

“Given the number of miles I drive, not having to constantly stop at the gas station was definitely appealing. I can charge at home and at work which makes it convenient, and I’m not having to make time for oil changes, etc.

For the first electric vehicle I purchased, the federal tax incentive factored in as well, and after driving it for years, it would have been difficult to go back to a gas-powered vehicle. For me, the economics on the total cost of ownership also worked out.”

For some, the incredible technology tools are what drew them in, including:

• auto pilot (enables your car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane)
• full self-driving
• parental controls
• ability to drive the vehicle through an app

Myth #1: EVs aren’t safe

Tesla Model X at RMR 4X4 in Birmingham. (RMR 4X4)

The biggest question we have when it comes to EVs—are they as safe as, or safer than, a regular gas-powered vehicle?

“I 110% believe they are safer than other cars. Data has shown that Internal Combustion Engine (ICE, aka gas) vehicles are 60x more likely to catch fire than an electric vehicle. My car has two car seats, and I wouldn’t put my kids in the back if for a second I thought it wasn’t safe.”

Myth #2: Owning an EV causes too much range anxiety

Greenwise at Lane Parke has a Tesla charging station. (Callie Puryear / Bham Now)

Having to worry about your next charge or if there’s a station nearby is usually people’s biggest stressor around EVs.

“We have driven the car to Mobile, Gulf Coast, North Carolina, Nashville and Louisiana. There are plenty of charging options, and it’s growing by the day! I’ve also found that stopping to charge usually doesn’t take any longer than a gas station stop with going to the restroom, getting a snack, etc., especially with kids! Also, gives me time to stop and check emails to stay more easily on top of work while traveling.”  

Myth #3: Temperature significantly affects driving range

Most drivers told us that the range is slightly affected by temperature, but as long as you understand how, you can plan for it.

“EVs like the same temperatures that we as humans like, around 75 degrees. Over the years, manufacturers have added systems to warm and cool the batteries to keep them at optimal temperatures for running and charging.

This adds a little more drain to the batteries, reducing range, depending on the extremes of temperature. Under everyday circumstances, you will not experience much impact. For long-distance trips, you will just need to take that into consideration for charging stops.”

Myth #4: Prepping your home for an EV is difficult

Charging at home makes it even more convenient. (Evnex Ltd on Unsplash)

Everyone we asked said the best thing to do is contact a local electrician to understand what you’ll need to get the process started.

“I purchased a charger with my car and hired an electrician the following week. I went eight days using public charging and work charging. It was much easier than I thought, but slightly more expensive than I thought.

Hitting your main panel with a qualified electrician to install the charge is quick and easy, but can run you between $500-1500 to get your charger installed. However, once done, it’s done for life.”

Myth #5: Electric vehicles are too expensive

EV drivers can already save around $1,000 a year in fuel costs, not to mention the costs of oil changes and other maintenance. Alabama Power offers an EV savings calculator for you to see how much you could save. They also add to the savings with incentives and rebates for individual and business EV owners. If you have an electric vehicle or are considering buying one, explore their programs here:

• Home Charger Rebate
  • Alabama Power customers can receive a one-time $500 rebate for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 (240V) charger at their home.
• EV Night Charging / Plug-in EV Rate
  • Charge your electric vehicle with your home charger at a discounted rate during the off-peak hours of 9PM to 5AM.

Learn more about the benefits of driving an electric vehicle from Alabama Power.

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