Can we spark your interest in electric vehicles? | Schomp Subaru

There’s a widely held perception that you have to spend a lot of money to own a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), but that reality is quickly becoming a thing of the past! At Schomp Subaru, we’re looking to the future, and let us tell you, the future is ELECTRIC!

Expected to arrive this summer, Subaru is releasing its first-ever, all-electric SUV – the Solterra. Built on our first-ever all-electric architecture – the e-Subaru Global Platform – the 2023 Subaru Solterra, named by combining the Latin words for “sun” and “earth,” is the first AWD electric vehicle to feature the legendary standard capability of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Packed with next-generation features inside and out, the Solterra offers 8.3 inches of ground clearance, a stunning available 12.3-inch touchscreen, state-of-the-art active safety, and the trusted reliability of a Subaru in a zero-emissions, all-electric SUV.

Surveys show that drivers who have driven electric cars or trucks find that they love the fast acceleration, smooth handling, and quiet ride of electric vehicles. But according to Cars.com research, “The primary obstacles preventing consumers from buying electric vehicles are cost (34%), limited range (32%) and a lack of charging stations (32%).”

True – EVs’ sticker prices often look high. Considering all factors, including available rebates/tax credits, they actually could cost less than comparable gas-powered vehicles, especially the longer and farther they are driven.

Considerable research backs up these conclusions, done on a state-by-state basis. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (based outside of Denver) and the Idaho National Lab found that over a 15-year lifespan, it could cost up to $14,500 less to run a BEV than fueling a comparable gas-powered vehicle.

The research included per-mile costs, electric tariffs, and costs of charging equipment and used the 2020 average of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), assuming that 81 percent of the charging was done at home, 14 percent at a workplace or public charger, and five percent with a DC fast charger.

Incentives? Up to $7,500 federal tax credits; PLUS up to $2,500 state tax credits for purchases or $1,500 for leases in Colorado.

Maintenance costs? The Department of Energy estimates regularly scheduled maintenance for a BEV at 6.1 cents per mile, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for internal combustion engines (ICEs). Costs are just a little higher for PHEVs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), but still lower than ICEs.

What about batteries? Most manufacturers warranty batteries for at least eight years or 100,000 miles and also offer what’s called “battery degradation coverage.”

Trade-in value? Newer electric vehicles – ones with ranges exceeding 200 miles – seem to be holding their value as well as their ICE counterparts, and with battery technology rapidly improving, they will improve in value.

Research your own savings at the federal government’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. It’s the government’s one-stop source for information about costs, vehicles, charging locations, and more. A lot of other information and answers to questions is widely available.

To fight climate change and air pollution, several states are planning to ban ICE sales in the future – some as early as 2030. Manufacturers are responding with plans to either stop manufacturing ICEs or vastly increase their BEV and PHEV offerings. The recently passed federal infrastructure bill should provide a boost, as would the proposed Build Back Better Act.

Electric vehicles are on a fast track to be not only affordable but also to be accessible to all consumers who want one.

Subaru works tirelessly to reduce waste, safeguard resources for future generations, and preserve natural spaces – making real, meaningful commitments to these goals. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants, and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Stop by Schomp Subaru today to learn more about the Solterra and Subaru’s other offerings of planet-friendly models.