ARLINGTON – Electric vehicles have been growing in popularity for years, especially in Dallas-Fort Worth, which has more registered plug-ins than any other region in the state. Many people still have questions preventing them from taking the EV plunge, though.
How far can I go on a charge?
How long does it take to recharge the battery?
Where can I recharge the battery if I need to during the day?
How much does it cost to recharge an electric vehicle?
How much does it cost to buy an electric vehicle?
If these and other questions are keeping you from buying an electric car, or if you just want to learn more about the technology, visit the Shops at Park Lane, 8070 Park Lane, Dallas (southeast corner of Central Expressway and Park Lane) on Saturday, Sept. 28 to help the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition celebrate the third annual National Plug In Day.
If you want to experience how it feels to be behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, there will be opportunities to test drive some well-known brands at the event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional vehicles expected to be on display include the Tesla Model S, Tesla Roadster, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and Toyota RAV4.
If you want to learn more about plug-in vehicles, the local celebration will allow you to talk with people who have actual experience with them, as many EV owners will be on hand at the event.
Persistently high gas prices may provide people with more incentive to consider this alternative technology. Electric vehicles cost less to power up than their traditional gas-powered counterparts. The average cost of a gallon of gasoline in Texas is more than $3. The per-gallon equivalent of electricity costs $1.14.
Electric vehicles typically require less maintenance than conventional vehicles. Consider the following:
- The battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance.
- There are fewer fluids to change.
- Brake wear is significantly reduced, due to regenerative braking.
- There are far fewer moving parts, relative to a conventional gasoline engine.
In addition to getting an up-close look at a variety of electric vehicles, you can test your knowledge of the technology by answering trivia questions. North Texans will join residents in more than 70 cities across the country to observe National Plug In Day.
