Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are cars that run on electricity. There are two main types: fully electric and plug-in hybrids. EVs cost less to fuel and maintain than regular cars, and they help provide benefits to the environment. Both the federal government and Maryland offer incentives to help pay for EVs and home charging equipment.

The Maryland Department of the Environment says that gas-powered cars are the biggest source of greenhouse gases and local air pollution. These emissions contribute to climate change, which will especially affect Maryland because of its coastal location. EVs produce little or no tailpipe emissions, especially when charged with clean energy like wind or solar power.

  • Fully electric vehicles run completely on batteries on a dedicated mileage range (distance ranges vary depending on the EV but are comparable to gasoline autos.)

  • Plug-in hybrids run primarily on electricity but have a gasoline engine. These vehicles must be plugged into a charging station usually at your house overnight. Charging stations are generally available at many public locations, (shopping center, government and institutional building) and increasingly at parking facilities.

Benefits of fully electric vehicles:

  • Fully electric vehicles have reduced overall maintenance costs because the EV has fewer parts than the internal combustion gasoline engine.

  • EVs have greater torque or faster acceleration since it is a direct drive propulsion without a transmission.

  • Since EVs have no tailpipe there are emissions from the car which both assists in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and helps reduce pollution in regional air sheds.

Things to consider when purchasing an EV

Both the federal government and the state of Maryland offer incentives to help you buy an electric vehicle (EV). There are also incentives for purchasing and installing a home charging station. Your local electric utility may have programs that give you extra savings for owning an EV and having a charging station at home. Many customers find that charging an EV at home or at public charging stations costs less than filling up a gas tank because electricity is usually cheaper than gasoline.

When buying an EV, think about how you will use it. EVs work well as commuter cars for trips to work, school, shopping, and running errands. Charging your EV overnight at home usually provides enough range for daily driving. More employers and shopping centers are adding public charging stations to make charging easier and more convenient.

The Maryland General Assembly created the Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council to help increase the use of EVs in the state. This Council runs a detailed website, marylandev.org, that has information on different types of EVs and how to choose the right one for you. The website has numerous tools for use to determining which type of EV is best for your situation. There are tools for comparing the price and environmental impacts of EVs compared to gasoline auto. The website provides information on charging stations both at your home and within your community. Finally, there are links to government and other organizations involved in EVs for specific information regarding purchasing an EV, obtaining a charging station and incentives for both the vehicle and the charging station.