As electric vehicles gain popularity, the focus is usually on full-sized options like Tesla or any of the new options from legacy brands. These cars are great options for people that do a lot of driving, with ranges now exceeding 300 miles. For us, that's a trip from LA to San Diego with just a quick charge to get back home. But how often are you actually doing that? Is it enough to justify the price tag on some of these cars?
Understanding Your Driving Habits
Before you rush to invest in a full-sized electric car, take a moment to reflect how you actually drive. Did you know that 52% of all trips made in the US are under 3 miles? Trips to the grocery store, taking the kids to school, going out to eat at a local restaurant-- you don't need 300 miles of range for that. Do you really want to drop $60,000 to make those trips? While everyone's vehicle needs are different, a lot of people would benefit from keeping their current car for long hauls and getting a street legal LSV (low speed vehicle) as a daily driver.
Practicality Over Prestige
We get it. A shiny new Tesla in your driveway is about more than it's eco-friendly cred or even saving money at the pump. It's a statement. It's a sign of success. But let's think about something else: How easy is it going to be to navigate that Cybertruck around a city? And parking? Forget about it. No amount of rearview cameras will help you fit into that tiny spot outside your favorite burger spot.
With an LSV, not only do you have all of the eco-friendly benefits of a Tesla (but moreso, as we'll get into in the next section), but you'll also be able to slide into unthicably small spots. The Wink Mark3 comes in at 132 inches, which is almost a foot shorter than the tiny Fiat 500e (~143 inches). No spot is too small.
Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly
You get it by now. LSVs are small, practical, and easy to use. But if that's your goal, why not go with that Fiat 500e? Surely 11 inches won't make much of a difference. To that, we say, it's just to d@#!% expensive! That tiny Fiat will set you back $32,000, and the cheapest EVs out there still cost $28,000.
Let's do some math: Let's say you have a car that gets 30mpg. The current national average for gas is $3.80. If a new EV costs $30k, you'd need to drive over 200,000 miles to break even. So unless your current car is on death's door, you know what will save you more than buying an EV? Just leaving your old car parked and paying half the price for a Gem or the aforementioned Mark3.
Obviously if you're driving around a beat up 2010 sedan and you need a new car anyway, it's a different story, but more and more people are trading in their gas cars early for the latest EV, and it just doesn't make finacial sense.
A Greener Option for Short Hauls
If a significant portion of your driving consists of short trips within your city or town, transitioning to an Electric LSV for your daily commute can make a significant impact on the environment. By embracing a more sustainable mode of transportation for these quick journeys, you actively contribute to reducing emissions and fostering a greener future.
Making the Switch
Will making the switch to an electric LSV work for everyone? Absolutely not. Who does it work best for? Two car households that primarily make short trips around town. Keep your old car for road trips and long commutes and zip around close to home in something smaller. Have more questions about electric LSVs? Keep up with us here at LSVGenius and subscribe to our email list to get our posts straight to your inbox.
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