Fun Facts About Electric Cars

Electric vehicles used to be niche and hard to find, but these days they’re more available–and affordable–than ever in Grand Island! Whatever you may be looking for, from two-door sports cars to full-size family SUVs, you’ll be able to find a hybrid or electric model. As EVs become more popular, a lot of drivers want to know exactly how they work and why they should choose them over a traditional gas-powered vehicle. Fortunately, Midway Auto Dealerships is here to help! Check out the guide below for some fun facts about electric cars and details about the different types of EV powertrains, then head to our inventory to see what we have available. 

The First EV Was Built in 1884

A lot of people think that EVs are a recent brainwave, but they actually date all the way back to the 19th century! The first-ever electric vehicle was designed by a London inventor named Thomas Park, who had been put in charge of electrifying the city’s overhead tramways. He came up with the concept of a vehicle powered by high-capacity rechargeable batteries that would be both efficient and environmentally friendly.

EVs Include Cars, Buses, Trucks, & More!

As we discussed above, electric vehicles come in all shapes and sizes around Hastings. In addition to cars and SUVs, you can find fully-electric transit buses and zero-emissions pickup trucks, all of which are cheaper to operate, more efficient, and better for the environment than their gas-powered counterparts. 

Charge Your Vehicle at Home or on the Go

Charging an EV is more convenient than ever as home and public charging stations become more and more widespread. If you’re at home, you can either plug your EV right into a standard three-prong outlet or have a Level 2 charging station installed by an electrician. And if you’re on the go, you can take advantage of fast-charging stations from networks like PlugShare, Chargeway, and Electrify America!

There are Five Categories of Electric Vehicles

Most people know about fully-electric vehicles and hybrids, but there are actually five total categories of vehicles that use electric power:

• Battery EVs are what we also refer to as fully-electric vehicles. They’re powered entirely by electric motors and batteries and typically have a range of 100–300 miles.
• Plug-in Hybrids are a kind of “middle ground” between traditional hybrids and battery EVs. They’re powered simultaneously by gasoline and electric power, but their electric batteries are larger than standard hybrids, which means they can go short distances (usually 30–40 miles) entirely on electric power!
• Hybrid EVs use an internal combustion engine alongside a small electric motor that boosts performance and fuel efficiency. The batteries in traditional hybrids self-charge as you drive, so you never have to plug them in.
• Extended-Range EVs have longer ranges than typical EVs by adding an optional “range extender” based on the internal combustion engine.
• Neighborhood EVs are affordable, low-mileage EVs intended for local use over short distances. They use 120-volt power to recharge and can typically reach a maximum speed of 30 mph.

Find Your Next Electric Vehicle With Midway Auto Dealerships!

Interested in seeing how one of our hybrid or electric vehicles handles on the Holdrege roads for yourself? Contact our office to see what we have available, then head to our dealership to set up a test drive! We’ll take care of everything and get you behind the wheel in no time. You can also check out our model research to learn more about the vehicles in our current lineup.