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5 reasons you should buy an electric car

Posted at 1:58 PM, Jan 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-14 15:58:33-05

Amy Wildermuth, Chief Sustainability Officer for the University of Utah, along with Kate Bowman from Utah Clean Energy tell us why now is the time to purchase an electric car.

Top 5 reasons now is the best time to buy an electric car.

1) Clear the air! With winter inversion season in full swing, switching to a car with zero emissions is a no-brainer. Vehicle emissions contribute to nearly half of all criteria air pollutants (the most harmful types of air pollution) in Utah. By switching to electric vehicles, we can help reduce air pollution immediately.
2) Never pay for gasoline again! When you make the switch to an all-electric vehicle you can expect to pay about half as much to charge your car than compared to fueling a gasoline vehicle. And that`s at today`s lower gas prices.
3) EVs are fun to drive! With high torque, a low center of gravity, and no gears to change EVs deliver a smooth and quiet ride. The regenerative braking technology actually allows you to charge your battery when you slow down for a red light, or coast down Parley`s Canyon.
4) Peace of mind! EV`s have far fewer moving parts and therefore require less maintenance. No oil changes, no spark plugs, no transmission fluid, etc. All in all, electric vehicles are less expensive to maintain than conventional vehicles and require fewer trips to your mechanic.
5) Get a great deal! Through the University of Utah`s 'U Drive Electric' program, you can save thousands of dollars on a new electric vehicle, but only until January 31. Coupled with state and federal tax credits, the savings on electric vehicles are really amazing. Eligible models include electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from BMW, Ford, and Nissan. Visit http://www.udriveelectric.org for more information.

For other tips on what you can do to improve air quality this inversion season, visit UCAIR.org or click here.