With all the talk about electric vehicles, we at Genesis of South Bay in Torrance, CA want to help you stay informed as the technology develops. Let’s start with a basic definition: Electric vehicles (EVs) use a rechargeable battery-powered engine in place of a gas engine. Because fully electric vehicles have no emissions, they give us cleaner air.
Of course, many electric vehicles still have significant technical and practical issues that keep electrics from being broadly adopted, but Genesis is working hard to resolve common industry challenges as we develop and prepare to launch the next generation of electric transportation.
How Good Is EV Fuel Efficiency?
It can be downright astonishing. One compact electric sedan has an EPA-estimated 141 MPGe in the city and 127 MPGe, highway. What’s MPGe? It stands for “Miles Per Gallon Gasoline-Equivalent,” a metric created by the EPA to make the energy used by alternative fuel vehicles more easily comparable to traditional gas vehicles. A more typical mileage rating is one particular SUV that has a still-impressive EPA-estimated 79 MPGe. That kind of efficiency can take you just about anywhere you need to go around Redondo Beach, CA.
How Far Can Electric Vehicles Go on a Single Charge?
The distance between recharges for an electric vehicle is referred to as driving range. For the 2020 model year, the EPA range estimates for electrics varied from 110 miles for a two-door compact to 400 miles for a long-range sedan. Even with better range, remember that charging stations are much harder to find than gas stations, so you need to plan carefully for any extended travel.
How Do You Charge an Electric Vehicle at Home?
Charging at home is the easiest way to keep an EV powered up. All EVs come with basic charging units that allow them to plug into a standard 120-volt wall socket, and that’s called “Level 1” charging. Unfortunately, a full Level 1 charge using house current can take anywhere from eight to 24 hours. A better alternative is to have a dedicated 240-volt line installed in your garage along with a “Level 2” charger. Using Level 2 charging, it takes about four hours to fully recharge an EV’s battery.
How Easy Is It to Charge an EV Away from Home?
Public charging is more challenging, but it can be your only option on the road. Unfortunately, charging stations are still pretty scarce. As of early 2020, there were less than 14,000 public and workplace “fast-charge” stations, compared with 168,000 gas stations. When you do find a public charging station, you should plan on several hours to re-energize your car. That’s why it’s usually better to charge an EV overnight in your garage.
Any Other Concerns About Electrics and Hybrids?
We’ve already mentioned the charging time required, and the fact that charging stations are still in short supply. One other concern is power. Many electric models lack the quick acceleration you need when you’re passing another vehicle on the highway. These are among the issues Genesis is working hard to resolve as the brand prepares to launch its first electric-powered vehicles.
What is Genesis Doing to Develop Better EVs?
Genesis has already unveiled two beautifully-styled electric concept cars: the Genesis Mint and the Genesis Essentia. As concept cars, these two exciting electric prototypes aren’t available for sale, but they help Genesis shape the future of electric transportation.
The Genesis Mint Concept is an electric luxury city car that gives urban dwellers a maneuverable electric coupe that’s fun to drive, even in tight quarters. The other Genesis electric concept car is the Genesis Essentia. It features a lightweight, low-slung, carbon-fiber monocoque body, along with dramatic butterfly doors that open with a fingerprint sensor or biometric facial recognition. As we design and test electric cars like these, the Genesis electric vision comes into sharper focus.
Want to Learn More? Call Us or Stop by Genesis of South Bay
Our sales consultants at Genesis of South Bay in Torrance, CA stay abreast of the latest automotive technology, including new developments in electric and hybrid vehicles. If you want to discuss the technology, as well as the pros and cons of electric vehicles for your family, call or stop by Genesis of South Bay in Torrance, CA and we’ll be glad to talk with you in person.
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