5 Reasons Why EVs Make Great Family Cars

Electric vehicles (EVs) have advanced dramatically over the past few years, making them much more affordable and convenient than ever before. If you’re a family on the go, you might be surprised that an EV can be a viable and savvy option as your next vehicle. Here are five reasons why you might want to consider it.

Plenty of Space for You and Your Brood

It’s no secret that car shoppers have been setting their sights on larger vehicles because of the added practicality of having more room for people and all of their stuff. It wasn’t that long ago that the only EVs available were tiny city cars, but these days, they’re available in all shapes and sizes. Their unique powertrains also allow automakers to be more creative with their interior packaging.

The Tesla Model X and Y SUVs can both seat seven passengers, for example, and the Kia EV6 has a flat floor and wide wheelbase, making it one of the roomiest EV sedans available. Many EV models also offer a front trunk or “frunk” that can hold those extra bags from your Costco run, your kid’s science project, or your family’s set of roller skates.

Gas Stations Are a Thing of the Past

Forget trying to squeeze in gas station visits between errands and daycare pickup. If you’re able to plug your vehicle in at home, you can charge it overnight during off-peak electricity hours and wake up to a fully charged EV, which saves a lot of time and hassle.

Also, with grocery bills, gas prices, and general inflation on the rise, you can rest easy knowing that the average yearly cost of charging an electric vehicle is $277.19 if you charge at home, according to a Uswitch report, which is a fraction of the cost of gassing up. Add those savings to less required maintenance (no more oil changes!) and government rebates, and your family can save a carload of cash in the long term by switching to an EV.

Your Car Powers Your Life

Cigarette lighter outlets are a thing of the past. The newest electric cars offer multiple convenient ways to power your electronics on the go. Many of them have household three-prong outlets either in the cabin or cargo area that can be used to power anything from a laptop charger to an espresso machine.

Some newer EV models even act as a mobile generator. The Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6 can all be used to power external sources with vehicle-to-load technology. That means that you can share the car’s energy to charge another EV, power your family’s campsite, or, as we saw last winter in Texas, power your home during a power outage.

Road Trips Made Easy

With flexible storage options, long driving ranges, and the ability to charge your devices on the go, EVs are now very suitable for family road trips. These days, most new EVs offer between 400 and 500 kilometres of range, with the Tesla Model X boasting 580 km. Add in the fact that Level 3 fast-charging stations are popping up all over the country, allowing you to add a ton of range while you and the family take a bathroom and lunch break. Most EVs these days can add hundreds of kilometres of range in just half an hour on Level 3 fast chargers.

Planning on travelling off the beaten path? Many of today’s EVs are also available with all-wheel drive, which adds some extra confidence and traction in poor weather conditions or on gravel/dirt surfaces.

Do you have a boat, personal watercraft, or a trailer for weekend glamping you need to bring? The Tesla Model X and Y, Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Volvo XC40 Recharge are just a few models that offer towing packages, adding some extra capability.

High Tech

Many EVs today offer Wi-Fi hotspots, so you’ll never hear “Are we there yet?” ever again. With the option of adding a monthly Wi-Fi data plan, you and your family can stay connected during road trips, which gives passengers the ability to get live traffic updates, stream a movie, or get some work done while on the move.

With the added bonus of multiple USB plugs for charging, the kids will never be bored or fighting during trips ever again, which means peace and quiet for the adults in the front. That’s worth its weight in gold!