Extreme weather conditions, such as extreme hot or cold, can impact range. The temperature alone can impact range, but usage of in-vehicle climate control could amplify range losses. Conditioning your vehicle prior to driving and bringing your battery to optimum operating temperature before departing can mitigate some of the losses.

Many variables affect range, just as they do for gasoline-powered vehicles. These include payload (passengers, cargo, or towing trailers), wind resistance, road grade, driving style, speed, weather, and driving surface. EVs have a few additional variables, like the battery state of charge and temperature.

The cost of a battery replacement can vary depending on the type and size of the battery, the make and model of the vehicle and the warranty coverage. Most manufacturers warranty the battery for 8-10 years, or up to 120,000 miles. Additionally, as production volume increases and battery technology advances, the cost of battery replacements continues to decrease.

Many warranties may be available for electric vehicles and the exact coverage varies between manufacturers. Typically, customary warranties are offered covering the vehicles' components with a separate warranty on the battery (8-10 years, up to 120,000 miles). Aftermarket warranties may also be available when a used electric vehicle is purchased.

Additionally, manufacturers of home charging equipment may also have warranties available.

Upfront costs for an electric vehicle are slightly higher than combustion engines today, but the price gap continues to narrow every year as production and battery costs decrease. However, when looking at the total cost of ownership, electric vehicles tend to cost less when taking into consideration fueling/charging cost savings, decreased maintenance costs and available tax credits.

The weight of an EV varies by model and battery size, but on average, electric vehicles tend to weigh more than their combustion-engine counterparts. This is mostly driven by the weight of the battery.

EVs dedicate 80-95% of the energy they generate to moving the vehicles (compared to 17-21% for a combustion engine), allowing them to operate with instant torque and a higher horsepower. A gas-powered vehicle, however, is typically capable of reaching (and sustaining) higher top speeds.

EV drivers tend to charge their vehicles at night when, generally, energy usage is at its lowest. This creates more efficient use of the grid, which puts downward pressure on customer rates. Visit our ChargeSmart page to learn more about charging overnight.

Ameren Resources

Electric Vehicle Overview (PDF)
Electric Vehicle Charging Guide (PDF)
Electric Vehicle Myths (PDF)
Federal Tax Credit Information (PDF)

EPRI Resources

Both consumers and businesses can learn the basics about electric vehicles from these guides provided by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Consumer's Guide to EVs (PDF)
Consumer's Guide to EV Charging (PDF)

Reports and Studies

American Lung Association: The Road to Clean Air (PDF)