National Drive Electric Month (September 12 – October 12) is a nationwide celebration that raises awareness of the benefits of driving EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and more. Are you interested in going electric or curious about what benefits EVs offer? Keep reading to learn more about why going electric may be right for you and how MCE rebates and other incentives can support your transition to an EV. You can also find National Drive Electric Month online or in-person events near you. Events often include EV test drives, opportunities to meet EV owners to hear firsthand experiences and recommendations, and ways to learn about EV charging, incentives, and more.
Why Choose an EV?
Lower Fuel and Maintenance Costs
There are many compelling financial benefits to driving an EV or PHEV. EVs can significantly reduce fuel costs due to the high efficiency of electric-drive components. EV fuel costs an average of $1.24 per eGallon in the United States compared to the U.S. average price of $3.12 per gallon for gasoline. In addition to fuel savings, EVs require less maintenance than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles due to the reduced number of moving parts in the electric motor and the eliminated need for oil changes. This reduction in maintenance and upkeep contributes to average savings of $300– $400 per year.
Impressive Safety Performance
Experts have found that EVs are just as safe or safer than gas cars and are less likely to catch fire or roll over during crashes. EVs undergo rigorous safety testing and generally perform better than gas cars in crash tests. EVs are roughly 60 times less likely to catch fire than gas cars, about 500–600 of which are estimated to catch fire every day.
Environmental Benefits
To complement the direct benefits to the EV owner, EVs also provide a means to help mitigate environmental impacts created by vehicle emissions. The transportation sector is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the United States. In California, the transportation sector accounts for approximately 50% of the state’s GHGs, underscoring the critical role that EVs and other zero or near-zero emission vehicles play in reducing GHGs, improving air quality, and meeting our climate goals. Reducing GHG emissions is paramount to reducing the rate at which the Earth is warming and leading to climate disasters that risk public health and safety, economic security, food security, and more. Embracing EV adoption and reducing the number of gas-powered vehicles in use contributes to cleaner air through reduced tailpipe emissions. Adoption also reduces our dependence on fossil fuels.
Save Money on an EV!
To further maximize EV savings, MCE offers a point-of-sale EV rebate to eligible MCE customers who are purchasing or leasing a new or used EV or PHEV. The MCE EV Instant Rebate can reduce the price of qualifying EVs and PHEVs by up to $3,500 for vehicles with a Vehicle Cash Price of $55,000 or less. For more information on income eligibility and where to find a participating dealership, visit the MCE EV Instant Rebate Program website.
EV drivers can save even more by automating their EV charging with MCE Sync. The MCE Sync app automates EV charging at home to use the least expensive and cleanest energy on the grid. Eligible customers can get a one-time $50 bonus for enrolling and charging their EV. They can also earn $10 per month in additional cash back by charging during low-carbon events. Check if your EV or charger is compatible at mceCleanEnergy.org/mce-sync.
Visit the MCE Incentive Finder to search for other EV and EV charging incentives that you may be eligible for.
