IS IT TIME TO SWITCH TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

In the early 20th century, electric vehicles made up close to 40 percent of the U.S. vehicle market share. They quietly zipped around cities where driving distances were short and charging stations were readily available. Despite their early popularity, they began to disappear from the streets after just a few years.

As roadways improved beyond the city limits, people wanted to get out and explore. With their slower speeds and shorter ranges, electric vehicles were not ideal for this type of travel. At the same time, gasoline cars improved and became both accessible and affordable. By 1930, electric vehicles had mostly vanished from roads.

Recently, a more substantial push for electric vehicles has developed. Electric vehicles were reintroduced to the market in 2010, and each year more shoppers are choosing to forgo gasoline models and opt for new all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric models.

Now, all major car manufacturers are showing support for electric vehicles by developing new models with longer ranges and more affordable prices. Research shows that by 2040, electric vehicles will account for about 50 percent of new car sales globally. During the next few years, electric vehicle growth is expected to continue across the U.S. There are also plans to install thousands of additional charging stations across the country. With the infrastructure in place, people will soon be able to drive electric from coast to coast with plenty of options to plug in along the way.We, at United, are here to help our members decide if an electric vehicle may be right for them by providing factual, objective information as well as first-hand experience with our electric vehicle fleet (five strong and counting). Members can even call us for a test-drive if they wish to feel how these cars handle.

Click on the following sections to learn more about Electric Vehicles.