Thinking about an electric car for your family? Ask yourself these 6 questions first

Right now there is a lot of talk about climate change (hello, hotter temperatures, wildfires, and more hurricanes). As a parent, you may be interested in how you can help slow climate change so that your children can have a better and healthier future.

One way some parents do this is to stop (or cut back) on gasoline and buy an electric vehicle (EV). But can an EV fit your multiple car seats and get everyone in your family where they need to go every day?

The truth? It depends.

I have been involved in electric cars for over ten years as the managing director of Popular Mechanics and publications such as Atlantic OceanHeatmap, and Out. And I own one too: My wife and I have been driving a Tesla Model 3 as our only car for years. We now have a daughter, so I know a few things about driving an EV with a growing family.

I also spoke with Brian MoodyIt will open a new windowformer editor-in-chief of Kelly Blue BookIt will open a new window; and Emily ThomasIt will open a new windowassociate director of automotive safety for Consumer ReportsIt will open a new window and a mother of two young children.

The truth is, there are many things to consider when investing in an EV for your family. Here’s how to determine if an EV switch is right for your family.

What is the difference between EVs, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids?

When it comes to battery powered cars, there are several options – and it’s good to understand the differences before you go shopping. If you’re an electronics-loving parent, here are your options:

• Battery powered EVs: These cars do not use any fuel at all. They are powered by a large lithium-ion battery, which sits under the vehicle. The energy stored in the rechargeable battery powers the vehicle.
• Traditional hybrids: These cars use an electric motor to boost your car’s gas mileage, but don’t need to be plugged in. If you just want to pay less on gas or lower your emissions, but don’t want to think about replacing your car, a traditional hybrid may be right for you.
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV): As a conventional hybrid, it has both electric and gas power. The difference is that you he can enter the vehicle to recharge its battery. When the battery is full, you use that electrical energy to drive without fuel for long periods of time. When the battery runs out, the car will run on the gas engine again. PHEVs have smaller batteries than EVs, so you only get 30 or 40 miles of electric driving, compared to 200 miles or more from a typical EV.

Is an EV right for you?

88% of BabyCenter parents still drive a gas car, according to a BabyCenter survey. But if you’re wondering if it’s time you to ditch your gas-burning baby grill and move into a battery-powered future, the answer depends on a few things:

Will you be able to afford it?

The bottom line is: Where will you charge your family car? If you can install it in your house or apartment, then your house becomes your gas station – talk to the service of stopping the gas pump all the time (when your child melts in the car seat).

Most EVs today can go up to 200 miles on a full charge, meaning their batteries can go all day long, including babysitting, errands, kids’ music classes, and kids’ soccer practices. But a full EV battery takes time to charge (up to 10 hours sometimes on a home charger, and maybe 30 minutes or more on a public fast charger), so if you can’t charge it at home, then the life of a real EV is limited.

I can charge at work, for example, and let the battery slowly charge during my 9 to 5. But when I’m away for long periods of time and work from home without going to the office, I have to rely on visiting the public transport hub. It’s a waste of time that most parents don’t want to deal with – it means driving to the nearest charger, which may not be near a gas station, and taking 20 to 30 minutes to charge from 10% battery to 80 or 90%.

“What are you going to do when you pay?” Consumer Reports’ Emily Thomas says. “And [let’s say]you have a child there. Is it time for the baby to sleep? How can you take them so long to pay them so little?”

When you have a family, waiting somewhere to charge your car for hours – or plugging it in and leaving it – may not be possible. So you’ll want to keep a charger at home so you can, at least a little bit, keep it handy when you’re out on the town.

Most chargers cost about $500 to $700 to install, says Thomas, not counting the cost of the charger itself. Tesla chargersIt will open a new windowfor example, start at $465 – and you have to pay a certified electrician to install it.

You usually pay more for EVs up front, but tax credits can help lower the overall cost. Most EVs are cheap to lease, and if you own one, it usually costs less in the long run because electricity is cheaper than gas for most people.

Do you drive a lot?

If you really want to know if an EV is right for your family, be honest with yourself about your driving needs. If you’re a frequent commuter who lives far from your office, or if your family travels a lot, you may not be ready for a full EV just yet, as you’re faced with roadside stops that require more time than a pit stop to pump gas.

But if you live in a stationary home where you can charge your car in the garage or on the street – and you drive your car a few miles from home – then an EV will make a living. It’s easy. (Imagine if you woke up every morning with a full tank of gas!)

A PHEV can be ideal if, for example, you live very close to your place of work or childcare. 30 kilometers of electric range means that you will use the gas engine at times, but it is enough to complete the trip back to your office and take care of the day, and you can complete most of your daily driving tasks without burning any gas.

It’s a good starter EV if you’re really worried about how much you’re going to boost it, since the gas engine starts when the battery runs out. (And if you don’t have time to deal with an order on a certain day, no problem – you just run the fuel as usual.)

Where do you live?

You will want to think about it to you soul, you too. In California, where many people drive electric cars, there are many public car washes and EV repair shops, such as Tesla and Rivian. If you live in a small town where few people own EVs, it may be difficult to get your car repaired.

Also, high temperatures can affect the performance of the EV battery and reduce the range of the vehicle. So you may think twice about an EV if you live in Minnesota or deep in the Arizona desert, where driving the air or heating to make your car safe for children will use up a lot of battery life.

What is your budget?

You’ve probably heard that EVs are more expensive than gas or hybrid options — not good news if you’re watching your wallet (after all, babies are expensive these days!). But the truth is, it’s much more complicated than that.

You usually pay more for EVs up front, but tax credits can help lower the overall cost. Most EVs are cheap to lease, and if you own one, it usually costs less in the long run because electricity is cheaper than gas for most people.

Auto writer Brian Moody says if you’re on a budget but want to know about getting an EV, consider looking at the used cars that are starting to hit the market. Those cars will have a limited range, as the batteries wear out over time.

However, let’s say you’re a two-car family: You can use your gas or hybrid car to cover long-distance driving for your family, while you can use your EV for city driving and cut down on fuel costs. In addition, Moody says, current laws allow consumers to receive a used purchase tax credit, too.

Are you comfortable with new technology?

Compared to the gasoline-powered car you drive regularly, an EV is much different than you might think. You refuel differently – usually at home instead of at a gas station. Finding a gas station on a road trip is easy, but it takes a little more planning than just pulling off the highway when you see a Texaco or Love.

EV life could be better – but you’re a parent with a million things to think about already! So you have to ask yourself if you will be able to remember to charge it when it needs to be charged.

Do the options fit your family’s needs?

Finally, Thomas says, make sure the car you’re test driving can fit your car seats (bring them with you when you buy the car and try it all in before you buy).

And make sure the model has as many safety features as possible. You’ll want to look for vehicles with known safety features (such as emergency braking and pedestrian detection), as well as seat belt reminders and rear occupant warnings to ensure children are not accidentally left in the car.

In the end, the decision to go for an EV or hybrid comes down to your needs as a family. There is no right choice, but asking yourself these questions before you buy can help you decide which option is right for you and your children.