Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly common on Colorado roads, but for some prospective buyers, questions remain about what it’s really like to own an EV. The great news is the years following EVs' initial rollout have provided a wealth of real-world information on the benefits EVs have over traditional gas-powered automobiles. 

A longstanding barrier to EV adoption is concerns about the vehicle’s range. In Colorado — and many other states as well — more charging stations are being added frequently. The Colorado Energy Office has been funding charging infrastructure, including expanding high-power Direct Current Fast-Charging (DCFC) along Interstate 70 and Colorado Highway 82 to build out the "Electric Byways" as outlined in their 2023 Colorado Electric Vehicle Plan. 

It’s easy to find EV charging stations, especially with tools like the PlugShare app. Lacking the opportunity to install an at-home charger doesn’t mean that owning an EV is impossible. On PlugShare, you can locate 77 (and counting) public EV charging stations across six Garfield County municipalities, sporting 135 Level 2 ports and 43 DC Fast ports. 

Vehicle range is also a good opportunity to consider your typical vehicle usage. What is your daily range or commute to work, and how can charging fit into it? Whether it is at the grocery store, work, home or elsewhere, there are plenty of opportunities to keep an EV’s battery topped off and healthy.

The cost of an EV can also factor into the decision-making process of purchasing a vehicle. There are many great incentives available to buy an EV in Colorado. Depending on your income, the Vehicle Exchange Colorado Program (VXC) could be right for you. VXC allows income-qualified Colorado residents to trade in a 12-year-old or older gas vehicle for a rebate of $6,000 for a used EV or $9,000 for a new EV. Additional incentives, like the soon-to-increase state EV tax credit, can also be stacked on VXC for qualifying vehicles. 

Fuel cost savings are worth considering in the overall cost of owning an EV. These days, many new EVs cost about the same as their fuel-powered equivalents, but for those with a higher price tag, the EV becomes more affordable when considering the cost of fuel. A light-duty truck or SUV might get 18 miles to the gallon. Compared to an EV with a roughly 250-mile range, you could save nearly $4,000 a year at current fuel prices. There are a variety of online calculators available to compare the cost of your current car with an EV.

A question our team hears sometimes is how EVs perform in Colorado’s cold weather. Cold temperatures can affect an EV’s range or harm its battery, but it is easily managed with a widely available feature called preconditioning. Preconditioning warms up the battery and cabin before you get in. When the EV is plugged in, that energy comes from the grid rather than the battery, and you start the day warm (no more frozen fingers!) without sacrificing range. It also helps with charging: a warm battery accepts a charge more efficiently, and many EVs will precondition automatically while driving if you are navigating towards a fast charger. Even without preconditioning, running seat and steering wheel heating instead of cabin heating can help an EV operate efficiently. Charging stops can also be planned to take place right after driving while the battery is still warm. This helps to preserve driving range and battery health. 

Battery health, range anxiety, temperature, and the price of an EV are a couple of considerations that may lie between you and a new ride that’s comfortable and cleaner. Overcoming EV uncertainty can be as simple as thinking through questions and doing some research. Local auto dealers are also another good information source and can help provide real-world insights into what to expect as an EV owner in Garfield County. If the idea of buying an EV is still daunting to you, reach out to CLEER to talk with a ReCharge coach who can help you understand how the tax credits and rebates affect you personally and help you feel comfortable and confident in finding an EV that’s right for you. 

Mikayla Batts is an intern at Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER), which operates the programs and services of Garfield Clean Energy. She is a recent graduate of Colorado Mountain College.