MENU CALL US FIND US

Electric Vehicle FAQ

What is an Electric Vehicle?

Electric vehicles, like the Mercedes-Benz EQ series, are cars that run solely or partially off electricity. There are three main types of electric vehicles: Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, and Pure Electric Vehicles. Hybrid vehicles run off electricity and traditional fuel and have a small battery capacity that recharges as the vehicles slows down. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles can travel over 50 miles on battery power and switch to operating like a traditional gas-electric hybrid vehicle when needed. Pure Electric Vehicles run solely off a large rechargeable battery. The range and performance of Mercedes-Benz EQ vehicles is increasing each year.

What are the Benefits of Owning an Electric Vehicle?

There are many benefits to owning an electric vehicle. For instance, the Federal and New York State Governments provide tax credits to new electric vehicle owners. Additionally, driving an electric vehicle, will lower your fuel costs for the year. Electricity in the United States costs approximately 12 cents per kWh. For the average person who drives around 15,000 miles a year, the electricity bill for an electric vehicle would cost about $540. Gas prices fluctuate wildly but tend to cost the average driver over $1,400 a year. Owning an electric car saves the average driver between six to ten thousand dollars over the life of the vehicle. Other benefits to owning an electric vehicle are that they tend to be more efficient than gas-powered cars, they have lower carbon emissions which help protect the planet, and since electric motors have fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance over the life of the car as well. They need fewer oil changes, spark plugs, and fuel filters and have regenerative brake pads that can last twice as long as those on a traditional vehicle.

What about Charging my Electric Vehicle?

Charging an electric vehicle is as simple as plugging it in overnight at home or at a charging station when you are out and about. While you can plug into a standard household outlet, it is far less powerful than a 240-volt outlet and takes longer to fully charge the vehicle. Having a 240V charging wall box installed in your home is easy and will save time. There are three levels of charging. Level 1 charging takes place on the typical outlet at home. Level 2 charging utilizes a wall box connected to a 240-volt outlet and is the most common type of charging. Most public charging stations charge at a Level 2. Level 3 charging, or DC Fast Charging, is the fastest type of charging and can be found along highways, making road trips easier. However, it is impractical for home use due to the amount of electricity it requires. Charging your electric vehicle is very safe. Mercedes-Benz vehicles have specific features to ensure safe charging no matter the weather you are charging in.

What About Battery Life and Safety?

Mercedes- Benz EQ vehicles run off automotive grade lithium-ion batteries. They are perfect for electric cars because they are lightweight, quick to charge, and engineered to have a long service life that does not require replacement during the average ownership period. The batteries never have to be fully drained or fully charged because they have no memory effect, which allows the battery life to remain unaffected. Each Mercedes-Benz EQ vehicle meets high standards of safety. The batteries are sealed, and high-voltage circuits are protected from casual contact. Additionally, all circuits and cables are labeled with warnings, helping owners know where they are on the batteries. The batteries are protected in case of a car accident, and the high voltage system is automatically disconnected in a severe accident.

What About Performance?

When driving an electric vehicle, you will notice a difference. Electric vehicles deliver power to the wheels instantly without the usual lag time from a traditional gas vehicle. As soon as you step on the pedal, there is greater torque and acceleration, resulting in a smoother ride. Drivers will not feel gear shifting or idle shaking, a remarkable difference between the constant vibration of a gas-powered vehicle and an electric one. Efficiency is marked in two ways in an electric vehicle: MPGe and Watt-hours (Wh). These are numbers which provide an equivalency to miles per gallon. The higher the MPGe, the more efficient the vehicle. Measuring in watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (kWh)/100miles is the opposite. The lower the number, the better the efficiency.

Helms Bros 40.758686, -73.774433.