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Drive an Electric Vehicle

Drive an Electric Vehicle

Summary: With its environmental and financial benefits and better infrastructure, now is the time to drive electric.

Description

Your choice of transportation is one of the most impactful decisions you can make to combat climate change. In Williamstown, about one third of all fossil fuel emissions are from cars and trucks fueled by gasoline. 

Switching to an electric vehicle cuts your emissions on the road and is a big step toward our town’s goal of becoming net-zero by 2030. The environmental benefits are clear, effective, and meaningful. Driving an EV is becoming more affordable due to government incentives, competition in the marketplace, falling prices, and lower operating and maintenance costs. 

Of course, as with buying any vehicle, you will need to assess your needs and do your research. Many Williamstown residents already own EVs: your neighbor may be a great source of information! 

To get started, click Steps To Take and Deep Dive on the tabs above.

Deep Dive

Types of EVs

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), commonly referred to as “EVs,” are what most people think of when thinking of an electric vehicle. Simply put, these vehicles are all-electric and cannot take gasoline.

Hybrid vehicles use gas-powered engines and an electric motor. Though they do not have a charging port and only take gas, these vehicles are more fuel efficient and therefore have a much lower emissions rate than traditional vehicles. 

Plug-in hybrid vehicles use both an electric battery and gasoline. With a smaller battery than traditional all-electric EVs, plug-in hybrids travel relatively short distances on a charge, and then are able to use their fuel tank when the battery is empty. 

All About Charging

While most EVs come with a Level 1 portable charger that plugs right into a home wall outlet, you may decide to install a higher-voltage Level 2 charger at your home for faster and more convenient charging. If you are often at private homes or far from public charging stations, you may want to buy a Level 2 portable charger. These are not designed for wall mounting but can be plugged in and used wherever there is a 240-volt outlet.

Away from home, you can use a commercial charging station and pay with an EV-charging app on your phone. Search for nearby EV charging stations on a website like Google Maps or PlugShare. As charging stations are becoming more frequent, you are likely to find them at grocery stores, malls, community centers, and many more locations across the country. Many of these stations are Level 2 so you can expect them to be efficient and quick!

Range of Travel

All-electric vehicles can range anywhere from 100 to 400+ miles on a single charge, while PHEVs can go 15 to 20 miles on their battery power before it switches back to their fuel tank. The range your EV goes is entirely dependent on the particular line you choose. Ranges are increasing as EVs grow in popularity.

While range anxiety is common, it is easily addressed with a few simple changes in your habits and planning. With the convenience of public charging stations, you’ll almost always be near a place to charge your car. Planning ahead is important to help ensure a stress-free experience.

Important: Incentives and Savings!

With government incentives and no more visits to the gas pump, the savings with an EV can be big. Both the federal government and individual states offer incentives, including tax credits and rebates. Before purchasing, see which incentives and savings you are eligible for by checking Drive Green, a program of the Boston-based Green Energy Consumers Alliance. Take care to learn about and acquire the documents you will need before you purchase to be sure you access the benefits! See the paragraph below on “How to Secure the Tax Credit.”

The federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 for customers of qualifying new EVs (owned and leased), along with a credit of up to $4,000 for some used EVs. In addition to federal incentives, Massachusetts offers a tax credit of up to $3,500. Incentives are constantly changing, so be sure to do your research!

As of January 1, 2024, consumers of new and used electric vehicles have the option to receive the tax credit either as part of their tax return or at point of sale. No matter which option is chosen, consumers must purchase or lease their new or used electric vehicle from an IRS registered dealership. Not all dealerships are registered, so be sure to verify with the dealership you have chosen to purchase or lease from. 

Credit on Your Tax Returns: If you opt to receive the tax credit as part of your tax return, you will have to fill out IRS form 8936 when filing your taxes. This option also means that the tax credit is limited by your personal tax liability. 

Credit at Point of Sale: If you opt to receive the tax credit at point of sale, you can choose to receive cash to go towards the downpayment or apply the credit towards the cost of the EV. This means the tax credit is no longer dependent upon your personal tax liability (but personal income limits still apply). Instead you can transfer the tax credit to an IRS registered dealership. 

How to Secure the Tax Credit: When purchasing/leasing an EV, familiarize yourself with these steps before you go to the dealership:

  1. Call to make sure the dealership is an IRS registered dealership.
  2. The dealership must submit a "time of sale report" containing the buyer and vehicle information to the IRS Energy Credits Online portal to determine vehicle eligibility. 
  3. Without the above submission, buyers cannot claim a tax credit at either point of sale or through their tax returns.
  4. The dealer must provide the buyer with a copy of the IRS' approval of the dealership's submission on the Energy Credits Online portal.
  5. The above must be completed at time of sale, or the buyer will not receive the incentive.

Steps to Take

1. Research types of vehicles and decide which is best for you.

2. Decide whether to lease or rent your EV.

3. Look for available tax credits and rebates for your purchase.

4. Learn about charging your vehicle.

5. Explore EV purchasing options.

6. Buy or lease your EV and then go to our Testimonial tab to share your story!

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