Hyundai of 110's EV Buying Guide
If you're considering buying an electric vehicle, Hyundai of 110 is here to help. With this EV buying guide, we'll help guide you through what you need to know about EVs and make some suggestions to find the right Hyundai electric vehicle for you.
While researching an electric vehicle, you may feel quickly overwhelmed by unfamiliar acronyms, definitions, and specifications, but don't worry! It's not as complicated as it first looks, and with Hyundai of 110 here to guide you, you'll be an expert in no time.
Which EV is Right for Me?
There are lots of acronyms used to describe electrified vehicles that you may not be familiar with, but cars basically fit into one of three categories.
Battery Electric Vehicle or Electric Vehicle is what most people think of when they think of an EV. This type of vehicle is powered solely by a large battery pack and must be recharged by plugging in the car. These cars have no conventional engine, and do not use gasoline at all. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 as well as the Kona EV all fit into this category.
Plug-in Hybrids or PHEV are between EVs and traditional gas-powered cars. They have both a gasoline powered engine as well as an electric battery that can be recharged by plugging it in. These cars and trucks utilize the battery first and are great for short to medium trips. For example, the Santa Fe PHEV runs up to 30 miles on All-Electric Range and then seamlessly switches to the gas engine. Depending on the length of your commute, you can essentially cut out trips to the gas station almost completely by plugging in your vehicle at home at night, or during the day at work. Hyundai offers this intriguing combination on both the Tucson PHEV and the Santa Fe PHEV.
Hybrid Electric vehicles, or HEVs are powered by a traditional gasoline engine, that is paired to an electric motor which extends the typical miles per gallon that you would normally get. There are no cords, cables or plugs to worry about, and you only ever have to put gas in the vehicle. The Elantra, Sonata, Tucson and Santa Fe are all available in the hybrid configuration.
Types of EVs
Charging Options
Depending on which type of Hyundai EV you choose, you will need to consider how you will charge the vehicle. Most EV owners choose to install a level 2 charger at their home for the ease and speed at which it will charge their new electric Hyundai, but this is may not always be necessary.
The PHEV models of the Tucson and Santa Fe can be recharged overnight using the included level 1 charging cable and a standard 120-volt outlet. For full EV models, a dedicated Level 2 charger is a much more efficient way to keep your Hyundai EV topped up.
Understanding Charging
Charging times vary depending of the type of charger used.
Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet and charge about 2-5 miles of range per hour, making Level 1 a good choice for plugin hybrid vehicles but not battery electric vehicles. These chargers work especially well for the Santa Fe and Tucson PHEV models, as they should fully recharge the vehicle when they are plugged in overnight.
Level 2 chargers can be installed at your home by a professional electrician and charge about 20-60 miles of range per hour. A good choice for any EV when charging overnight or all-day is possible. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 with the long-range battery, will be fully charged in just about 7 hours on a Level-2 charger.
Level 3 fast chargers are the most efficient and can be found at commercial locations. Level 3 can charge about 60-80 miles of range in about 20 minutes, making it a good choice for any EV when a quick charge is needed on the go. For instance, a 350-kW DC fast charger can take the Ioniq 5 from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes! As you can imagine, these types of stations require some heavy-duty infrastructure, and are not available for home use, but they are getting increasingly common on Long Island. Hyundai of 110 has two of these chargers on our lot.
Charging from Home
For plugin hybrid vehicles a standard outlet (Level 1) will be enough for overnight charging. For battery electric vehicles, a Level 2 charger will require professional installation by a licensed electrician. If you live in an apartment or condo, consider talking with the property owner about installing a charger or use a nearby public charger.
If you're unable to access or install a charger at your home, you can always utilize a charging station to fulfill your electric needs. Hyundai has powered with Electrify America and gives all Hyundai EV buyers 250 kilowatt-hours of DC fast charging free, and access to a nationwide network of fast DC charging stations! Additionally, level 2 charging stations are popping up all over and at many places you may already visit, including at the Westfield Southshore Mall, the Green Acres Mall, and some Target and Walmart locations. Additionally, there are new sites popping up all the time. Companies like EV Connect, ChargePoint, EVgo and Volta all have stations available all-over Long Island that are compatible with your new Hyundai Electric vehicle.
Range Considerations
With a gas station on nearly every corner, for many drivers the range of their vehicle has never been much of an issue. When considering a Hyundai EV, you will need to adjust your thinking to accommodate the longer charge times and fewer charging stations. Thankfully, both the Ioniq 5 and Kona EV both provide over 220 miles of range on the low end and over 300 miles on the long-range option. Be sure to think about your average commutes and trips before you buy, and to locate some chargers near your home or work if you won't be able to charge at either of those places.
The EV Driving Experience
If you've never driven an Electric Vehicle before, you are in for a treat! Since EVs only have one transmission gear, the acceleration in these cars is very fast and nearly instantaneous. Your first time behind the wheel of an Ioniq 5 will be memorable; testing on certain models has shown that this hefty SUV can rocket from 0-60 in less 5 seconds! Braking is also a bit different in EVs, as the electric motor harvests energy when you take your foot off the gas to return energy back to the battery. This feature, called regenerative braking offers 3 different levels on Hyundai. By actively using this, many drivers can achieve what we call "1-Foot Driving" essentially allowing them to almost never have to hit the actual brake pedal. This not only increases the driving range in stop-and-go traffic, but also preserves the life of the brake pads and rotors.
Financial Considerations
While Electric vehicles typically have a higher MSRP than their gas counterparts, there are multiple ways that an EV can save you money. First, Hyundai has provided many aggressive rebates to bring the pricing in line. Secondly, New York State offers a NYSERDA rebate on many electric and PHEV vehicles. Lastly, there are federal tax incentives of up to $7500 on most of Hyundai's electric and Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. Combine these with the gas savings (both the Ioniq 5 and Kona EV get over 100MPGe or mile per gallon equivalent!), and maintenance savings, and the overall cost of ownership comes way down over time.
Charging Stations Near Hyundai of 110
Common Questions
A federal tax credit of $7,500 is available on most EV models. Depending on where you live, state and local rebates and incentives may also be available. Check with your sales associate to find out if the model is eligible for rebates and incentives.
Other advantages of owning an EV include:
- Eligible EVs may also qualify for HOV lane access, which are normally restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers.
- Many electric companies offer lower rates based on the time of use. With EVs, you can save money by charging during off-peak times.
- If you're able to charge from work or home, there's usually no need to stop to refuel like you would in a gas-powered vehicle.
- EVs produce zero tail-pipe emissions resulting in cleaner air and better health.
This will vary depending on the local price of electricity and gas and where you are charging (at home or public charger), but most EV owners can expect to save on fuel cost. A recent Consumer Reports study found the “typical EV owner who does most of their fueling at home can expect to save an average of $800 to $1,000 a year on fueling costs over an equivalent gasoline-powered car.”
Source: Benjamin Preston. October 08, 2020. EVs Offer Big Savings Over Traditional Gas-Powered Cars.
https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/evs-offer-big-savings-over-traditional-gas-powered-cars/A recent Consumer Reports study found “maintenance and repair costs for EVs are significantly lower over the life of the vehicle – about half – than for gasoline–powered vehicles, which require regular fluid changes and are more mechanically complex. The average dollar savings over the lifetime of the vehicle is about $4,600.”
Source: Benjamin Preston. October 08, 2020. EVs Offer Big Savings Over Traditional Gas-Powered Cars.
https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/evs-offer-big-savings-over-traditional-gas-powered-cars/Gas powered vehicles offer a range of 300-400mi. Battery electric vehicles offer a median range of 250mi. For EV owners who charge at home, this is more than enough for daily use. For longer drives beyond the range of your vehicle, check a public charger map for charger availability along your route.
- Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet and charge about 2-5 miles of range per hour, making Level 1 a good choice for plugin hybrid vehicles but not battery electric vehicles.
- Level 2 chargers can be installed at your home by a professional electrician and charge about 10-20 miles of range per hour. A good choice for any EV when charging overnight or all-day is possible.
- Level 3 fast chargers are the most efficient and can be found at commercial locations. Level 3 can charge about 60-80 miles of range in about 20 minutes, making it a good choice for any EV when a quick charge is needed on the go.
Yes, Level 1 and Level 2 chargers can be used at home. In fact, the standard 120V outlet supports a Level 1 charger. Level 2 chargers require 240V and can be installed by a licensed electrician. If you do not own your home, you may need to work with your property owner to install a Level 2 charger.
Most batteries will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles when properly cared for. With battery technology continually advancing, that number should continue to increase.
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