Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan addresses some of the most common concerns and hesitations United Power members may be feeling about the possibility of purchasing an electric vehicle:

Can an electric vehicle meet my range needs?

With ranges north of 250 miles, electric vehicles today are more than sufficient to manage the average driver’s daily commute.

Use your trip odometer to monitor a typical day’s commuting. You can more than likely go the whole day without a charge, and charging stations are becoming more accessible if you need a refill.

Where am I suppose to charge my electric vehicle?

Most people can recharge enough using an outlet in their garage overnight, but charging infrastructure is also growing rapidly.

Your home is already equipped to charge your EV overnight—just like you would charge your cell phone. For most vehicles, an electrician can make a simple upgrade to the outlets in your garage to decrease charge times without purchasing any special charging equipment.

What will it do to my electric bill?

Not as much as you might think. And between saving on gas and maintenance, your electric vehicle will be much cheaper to operate.

Li-on batteries are more contained than regular vehicles where the danger is often fires started by spilled fluids.

But aren’t electric vehicles more expensive?

Electric vehicles are a bit more expensive, but with rebates and incentives, they are just as affordable. And don’t forget your other savings.

Several Federal and State tax credits are available for Colorado drivers.

So electric vehicles are affordable, but are they safe?

Electric vehicles often come standard with enhanced safety features that are only available on higher trims or packages of other vehicles. 

Use the Savings Calculator on our ChooseEV page to estimate your gas savings, then check out United Power’s Time of Day rate to see how much you can save by charging overnight.

What once seemed like a hopeful concept for the future has become a reality. Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.

“It’s safe to say electric vehicle adoption has far outpaced our expectations,” said Tyler Bain, a United Power electrical engineer and longtime EV driver. “A sizeable number of EV drivers live in United Power’s service territory, and there’s still a lot of opportunity for growth – for both us and potential EV drivers.”

Why has there been so much recent growth in electric vehicles? Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan explains it has a lot to do with understanding and education. Many potential buyers face concerns and hesitations about integrating an electric vehicle into their daily lives.

“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception, which is an incorrect one. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”

Range anxiety, for example, is one of the hardest barriers for people to overcome, Zeid says. He recommends using your vehicle’s trip odometer to calculate how far you commute in a given day, either to and from work or for various other errands. People usually drive far less than they estimate, and that can demonstrate how range anxiety is typically more psychological than reality.

The growth also has to do with pricing and availability. There are more options at more price points available today than there have been in any year prior. Many major car brands have announced new and upcoming electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Some will even come as a trim option on already popular models for a small premium, which can be more than offset by current state and federal rebates and incentives.

Join United Power from September 26 — October 4 for National Drive EV Week as the cooperative and Zeid walk you through the finer points of EV ownership and much more. Follow our journey and find out more at Drive EV Week.

September is National Preparedness Month

Between a combination of a quiet storm season and other things consuming our thoughts over the course of 2020, preparing for a potential disaster situation may not be high on our list of priorities. However, natural disasters may come in an instant, and it’s important to make sure you and your family are prepared. Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes National Preparedness Month to educate and empower Americans to take simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies that could affect us where we live, work and visit. This year’s theme, “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today,” touches on four distinct aspects of emergency preparation.

Make a plan. Expecting the unexpected begins with having a plan in place to respond, and those conversations can begin casually over a meal or strategically in a family meeting. If you have children, include them in the disaster planning process. Prepare with your friends, family and neighbors to develop communications plans. Finally, practice your plan.

Build a Kit. Gather supplies for several days, considering the unique needs of your family. Include items such as food, water and any necessary medications or pet items. You may also include items such as a first aid kit, flashlight and/or radio. Remember to update your kit regularly.

Prepare for Disasters. Different areas and regions are impacted by different natural disasters. In Colorado, we can experience devastating floods, debilitating blizzards or even strong tornadoes. Make sure your disaster plan above includes steps for each potential event. Be mindful of disasters that could also occur during travel or on vacations.

Teach Youth About Preparedness. It’s important to teach your children about emergency preparation, such as how to communicate in the event of separation or what to do if you’re away. They should know how to communicate with you, their friends and emergency responders. Provide sufficient information and carefully walk through individual steps of your disaster plan or have them practice building their own emergency kits.

For more information on National Preparedness Month, including sample emergency communications plans, organizations you can volunteer with during disasters and more, visit www.ready.gov.