When you are buying a new car, the first thing that people need to think about is to prepare their home for it, at least if you’re purchasing an electric vehicle. EVs have many benefits, among them, the possibility of reducing your carbon footprint and lower maintenance costs than most gasoline cars. As you prepare for the delivery of your new vehicle, you’ll need to set up an electric vehicle charging station at your home.
It’s important to do your research on electric vehicle home chargers. As a refresher, most in-home electric vehicle charging stations fall into Level 1 or Level 2. Here’s more information:
If you haven’t organized your garage in a few years, now is the time to do that! Be sure to get your garage ready for an EV before your delivery. You’ll want to clean out clutter first if your garage has been used as a storage space for a long time, as it will need to be ready for the electric vehicle home charger.
The power panel in your home distributes electricity throughout the entire house. It should be rated for a maximum amount of current flow measured in Amperes. Most new homes come with a 100 Amp power panel, but there should be an amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker. Then you’ll want to get a handle on how much electrical energy you consistently use in your house by performing a self-assessment of your electricity use before you install an electric vehicle charging system. It’s important you don’t overload your electric distribution panel.
You’ll want to hire a Hawthorne electrician so that you can discuss any concerns you have about your power consumption and adding EV charging. You can also have them install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This can cost several hundred dollars, but could be up to $1,000 or $3,000 if the power panel is not sufficient as-is and requires upgrading.
If you haven’t already researched and purchased an EV charger at this point, it would be the time to do so and have it professionally installed by the electrician of your choice.
If you’re ready to move on from traditional combustion engines, you have more options to explore than ever before. So, what’s the difference between hybrid and electric cars? South Bay Mazda has broken down many of the benefits of both, so you can be better informed about which model is right for you.
Both hybrid and electric cars use electricity to power at least portions of your Redondo Beach journey, but they have different mechanisms involved. A hybrid car uses both gas and electric power, while an electric car only uses electricity. Take a look at how hybrid cars vs. electric cars function:
Hybrid vehicles use gasoline like a standard vehicle, but they aren’t reliant solely on gasoline. In addition to the onboard combustion engine, they also have an electric motor. These two components work together to power your Manhattan Beach commutes more efficiently. Plus, the battery charges itself as you navigate. Some of the benefits include:
Between the hybrid and electric car, many drivers favor the environmental benefits of the EV models. Electric cars completely eliminate the use of gas, leading to significant long-term savings and a significant reduction in your carbon footprint. Eliminating the combustion engine also simplifies your annual maintenance quite a bit, offering another opportunity to save money. While many models have extended ranges, EV models are particularly good options for those who mainly make shorter trips around town. Here are some of the key advantages to choosing an electric model:
Being that you can charge your EV at home and abroad, you may still be wondering about how long does it take to charge an electric car? When charging your EV at home, you have to charge port options, Level 1 and 2, and each has its own charge time, which you can see below:
There are many EV charging options that are available to you in the Redondo Beach area. These options all have their benefits that can make your daily drives much easier. See what EV charging options are available to you below:
Domestic Outlet Home Charging (Regular Outlet): A normal grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V charging outlet (Level 1 Charging) doesn’t offer a fast charging speed but it’s a good option for topping off some of the charges you used commuting to work that day. How long does Level 1 charging take? Usually around 24 hours or more for a full charge. In other words, expect it to take days, not hours, to charge with this method.
Installed Brand-Approved Domestic Charging: Level 2 Charging is typically professionally installed. Level 2 charging uses rapid (usually 240V+) chargers most often made for your brand of car will have significantly faster-charging rates than using a regular grounded household outlet. Think hours, not days. DC fast chargers (as opposed to AC ones) are also common. It’s not unheard of to obtain an 80% charge in half an hour or forty minutes with this type of charging method, but that extra 20% will take longer as there’s a diminishing rate of charging speed as well.
Public Charging: You can charge on-the-go in Manhattan Beach at parking garages, malls, hotels, and even apartment buildings. You’ll often find charging stations at big-name national stores like Walgreens and Kohls, and more charging stations are being added every day across the country. These charging stations vary in type and speed, but often provide Level 2 charging speeds for greater convenience. Some public chargers even offer emissions-free renewable energy charging with solar panels or wind turbines!
There are a number of benefits that you can get from switching over to a hybrid, or even a fully electric vehicle, but they can be pricey. This is why the federal government as well as states like California are working together to make sure that drivers aren’t absolutely suffering when they make the change up front, by offering federal and state rebates.
When it comes to the CVRP, the selection is a little more focused, and covers most vehicles beginning with 2020 models. You can find a full list of eligible vehicles here. But what is the CVRP? The California Center for Sustainable Energy allows drivers to get up to $7,000 to purchase or lease a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). All you need to do is find your model on their official website, click apply for rebate, and then you’ll be given a rebate based on the model.
What is the federal tax credit for EVs, and how does it work exactly? The federal tax credit starts at a minimum of $2,500 and can go up to $7,500, depending on the car’s traction battery capacity and gross vehicle weight rating. When you purchase an eligible EV, you may be able to earn this credit, but it’s important to know which models are applicable.
Whenever this electric car tax credit is mentioned, it often sounds like every electric model is applicable. However, that is false. You may be able to earn this credit when you buy a qualified new EV after December 31, 2009. In addition to the model being new, a qualifying EV also needs to meet the following criteria:
With more and more electric models released from many manufacturers, this tax credit does come to stop at a certain point. Once a manufacturer has sold 200,000 eligible plug-in electric models or EVs, the credit will phase out after the second quarter. Because of this limit, you won’t be able to claim this credit on some models from manufacturers that have already reached this limit. For example, any Tesla and General Motors (GM) EVs won’t be qualified for the credit.
Get behind the wheel of a new Mazda vehicle, and you’re treated to an incredible driving experience that’ll have you looking forward to getting behind the wheel. Now, with the 2022 Mazda MX-30 electric vehicle, you’ll get to enjoy all those advantages that typically come with a new Mazda with the added benefit of an all-electric driving experience. The new MX-30 is the first Mazda electric car, and it’s ready to show you what it really means to drive on full electric power.
So, what is the Mazda electric car price for the new MX-30? The 2022 Mazda MX-30 is simply offered in two configurations. These two configurations come with different highlights and therefore different pricing. Let’s take a look at the Mazda electric car price for each of the 2022 Mazda MX-30 configurations:
2022 MAZDA MX-30: Starting at $33,470 MSRP*
2022 MAZDA MX-30 Premium Plus: Starting at $36,480 MSRP*
When Manhattan Beach shoppers like you opt for a Mazda, it’s likely because you need something spacious for your adventures. Fortunately, the Mazda MX-30 provides plenty of interior room for each and every passenger to comfortably stretch out in. Best of all, the new Mazda MX-30 remains spacious inside without being overly large on the outside, making it easy to drive around town. Here are some dimensions of the 2022 Mazda MX-30:
Wheelbase: 104.4 inches
Width: 70.7 inches
Height: 61.5 inches
Seating capacity: 5 passengers
Front/rear headroom: 38.5 inches/37.0 inches
Front/rear legroom: 41.6 inches/30.1 inches
Cargo volume with 2nd-row seats up: 21.0 cubic feet
When the Mazda MX-30 becomes available for you to drive on the Hawthorne streets, you’ll get to enjoy a technologically advanced cabin that’s packed full of all the latest features. Not to mention, the exceptional safety technology on the 2022 Mazda MX-30 allows it to stand out from the rest. Some highlights and features of this new Mazda electric car can include:
Want to take a deeper look at the 2022 Mazda MX-30 interior? You can view that here.
No matter how far along you are in deciding if the EV is for you, the expert staff at South Bay Mazda is here to help make it easier than ever to own one. You can apply for financing now and let our team make the process painless. And if you have any questions, you can come in or contact us and we’ll help make heads or tails of EVs so that you can feel confident in your choice.
Disclaimers:
*MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees and $1,175 destination charge (Alaska $1,220). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.
South Bay Mazda, Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, CA, USA
