What is an electric car and how does it work?

With gas prices rising and a daily commute becoming more common again, chances are that getting some sort of alternative fuel vehicle has crossed your mind. We get it – paying for gas is annoying (especially right now) and electric cars also have the benefit of being extremely eco-friendly. However, what is an electric car and how will it benefit your drive time? Toyota of Orlando is here to explain exactly what electric vehicles are and how they work.

What you need to know about electric cars

First, let’s talk about what electric cars are. Essentially, they’re exactly what they sound like. All-electric cars run solely on electricity that’s stored in a battery; to keep them up and running, you have to plug the car into a special electrical outlet and let it charge. Here are a few more points to keep in mind:

• These cars don’t use gasoline at all. They run solely on an electric charge, which makes them different from Orlando Toyota hybrids and hybrid plug-ins. Hybrid and hybrid plug-in cars can both run on electric charge, but not for long periods of time or at high speeds. In those scenarios, they rely on a gasoline engine to power them. Electric cars never “swap off” and rely solely on their battery charge to keep them moving.
• Electric cars also require a lot less maintenance than traditional gasoline-powered cars or even hybrids. This is because they don’t use oil, so you won’t ever need oil changes. They also don’t require transmission fluid or power steering fluid. Things stay a lot cleaner under the hood so maintenance is simpler. All you’ll really need to do is get routine tire rotations and keep an eye on things like your brakes, battery, and coolant here at our Orlando auto service center.
• Electric cars may seem like a new fad, but trust us – they’re not a fad and they’ve been around a lot longer than you think. These eco-friendly cars have actually existed since 1881 but didn’t gain popularity or reputation until the 1990s. This is when – believe it or not – Toyota actually put out a Toyota RAV4 EV, which was completely powered by electricity. (And it was a collaboration with Tesla!) However, this rookie EV topped out at a speed of 78 mph and could only travel around 100 miles on a charge, making it impractical for everyday drivers.
• Since then, however, electric cars have come a LONG way. We’re all familiar with Tesla, of course, as they’ve been a frontrunner in the EV movement. However, Toyota has had electric options
  in the works since the Toyota RAV4 EV and one is arriving this summer – the all-new Toyota bz4X. 

And there are tons of benefits to driving an electric car. Here are a few to consider:

• Less car maintenance – remember, no oil changes or fluids except for the coolant, so you won’t be coming into Toyota of Orlando as often for car care.
• NO GAS. We repeat – NO GAS. You won’t have to stop and fill up at the pump; you just need to charge your car according to the range you have left, either at home or at a charging station. Electricity isn’t free, of course, but it’s far cheaper than filling your car up with gas.
• Top technology. Not only will you have the best tech possible under the hood, but you’ll also have it in the cabin. The new bz4X, for example, features highlights like cloud-based navigation, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, and a digital key with remote start.
• Rebates. You might also be eligible for state and local rebates for driving such a clean car. This means money in your pocket.
• Instant torque. Electric cars can be FAST – you have instant torque at your fingertips, which means serious get-up-and-go.

Toyota of Orlando has answers to your electric car questions

Have questions about electric cars, hybrids, or anything in between? Toyota of Orlando has answers. Call us today! Our Orlando Toyota dealership is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also follow us on social media for more updates about the upcoming arrival of the all-new Toyota bz4X!

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