AAA Study May Reveal Why Volvo is Going Green
CT Drivers Are Jumping on the 'Electric' Bandwagon
Volvo just announced that in 2019 it will become the first traditional automaker to go all-electric or hybrid, instead of manufacturing vehicles using conventional vehicle fuels like gasoline and diesel. This is big news for consumers and potentially big news here in
Connecticut where statistics indicate that more than 1500 drivers have already cashed in on almost $3.5 million dollars in rebates available for purchasing an electric vehicles. And,
AAA research indicates the interest in EVs or hybrid EVs is not waning, despite low gas prices.
“The latest AAA research indicates that there are as many new car buyers considering an electric or hybrid electric vehicle as those who are considering buying a pickup truck” says AAA spokesperson Amy Parmenter. “This, even though gas is as affordable as it has been in years”.
Volvo may be on to something because, according to the AAA study, almost 30 million Americans are likely to purchase an electric vehicle for their next car. And,
Connecticut DEEP statistics indicate a record number of drivers purchased electric or hybrid vehicles in May.
Motorists residing in Connecticut can go green and save some green by taking advantage of federal and state electric vehicle rebates, including the so-called CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate) program which has been so popular that Governor Malloy renewed its funding just last year.
Connecticut motorists purchasing or leasing a qualifying plug-in electric vehicle, may be eligible for a rebate up to $3,000, based on the vehicle’s battery capacity, according to the DEEP. (Here is a list of
all the vehicles that qualify).
Buyers of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles may also “qualify for a $2,500 to $7,500 federal tax credit,” explains the United States Department of Energy (
DOE).
According to the DEEP's CHEAPR statistics, since the program's inception in 2015, a growing number of Connecticut drivers have been purchasing hybrid or electric vehicles.
While electric vehicles are an attractive option for car shoppers, AAA found that more than half of Americans are hesitant to make the switch due to “range anxiety” – the concern over running out of charge or having too few locations to charge a vehicle.
Currently, CT has over 400 publicly accessible EV charging stations and the network is still expanding. (Here’s
a map!)
“As with any automobile choice, there are advantages and disadvantages to electric cars,” Parmenter says. “But the AAA research clearly indicates that new car buyers are considering their electric options like never before because it’s an option that is now viable and more affordable than ever”.
In 2017, charging station availability has grown to more than 15,000 locations across the United States. To assist with range anxiety, drivers of electric vehicles can find the closest charging station via the AAA Mobile app or AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner.
More information about purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle can be found in the
AAA Green Car Guide.
At this time, more than 30 different electric vehicle models are on the market in the United States. Electric vehicle sales increased by 38 percent in the United States during 2016, a year after declining by five percent from 2014 to 2015.
