Good news for electric car users and clean energy enthusiasts! According to a recent press release, BMW and Nissan, two of the top electric car manufacturers, announced on Dec. 22 that they are joining forces to offer electric car users the convenience of 120 new fast charging stations.
These new dual-port 50-kilowatt (kW) fast charging stations can now be found in 120 locations across 19 states. All of these are Greenlots-networked charging stations featuring both CHAdeMO and CCS (SAE Combo) connectors that support the Nissan LEAF and the BMW i3.
That's right, if you find yourself in California, Nevada or any of the other 17 states and find your electric vehicle (EV) running low on energy, you can simply locate a charging station using the ConnectedDrive interface in the BMW i3 or the Nissan EZ-Charge smartphone app and charge your electric vehicle for up to 80% in just 20 to 30 minutes.
The new electric vehicle fast-charging stations were installed in New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, New Mexico, Maryland, California, Connecticut, Nevada, Wisconsin, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
It seems we're about to plunge into a whole new world of transportation that brings us closer to The Jetsons, so let's take a closer look at the cars in the spotlight.
The Pros
The Pros of owning an electric vehicle are pretty obvious. To begin with, emissions go from sky high to zero, which is a huge "thank you" from our planet to the car owners. Other than that, let's go over a few more benefits of having an electric car.
- Electric Vehicles don't need gas. Yes, using EVs release you from that "up again down again, but mostly going up again" gas price rollercoaster that most Americans are a part of. Electricity is a lot cheaper than gasoline so using a hybrid vehicle will cut your gas bill significantly although fully electric cars like the Nissan LEAF will completely eliminate that cost. In addition, gas emissions are harmful to the environment so an electric vehicle can not only cut your costs but your carbon footprint as well.
- Say goodbye to costly vehicle maintenance. If you own a gasoline car, which you probably do, you know how costly maintenance work on our cars can be. From routine change oils to brake pad replacements and other expensive engine work-ups that are unavoidable, gasoline-powered cars can be pretty tricky to maintain. With electric vehicles, the non-usage or oils on the vehicle's engine means maintenance won't be as tedious.
- The warranty for electric cars last longer. Simply put, motor companies often provide longer warranties for their electric and hybrid vehicles. An example would be Toyota's warranty for their Prius, which on certain parts could reach up to 8 years.
- Hybrids and EVs are very quiet. We all know full well how noisy gas-powered cars can be, especially those with bigger engines. Well, with hybrids, that is a thing of the past.
- Using one would be your own way of saving the planet.
The Cons
As with everything in life, using EVs and hybrids also have downsides. The first being the most obvious: most EVs are more expensive than regular gas-powered cars putting them over the budget of most buyers. Tax credits can lessen that cost, though, but let's look at the not-so-bright side of owning an electric car.
- Having to build a charging station at home. If buying an expensive car wasn't enough, having a charging station at your home is necessary if you actually want to take your car anywhere. While there are 120 new charging stations thanks to Nissan and BMW, admittedly, it's still not nearly close the number of gasoline stations that pop up like convenience stores.
- Battery cost. Sure, the change from a gas-powered car to an EV can significantly drop your car maintenance budget but that doesn't mean it drops to zero all throughout. Of course, EVs need some love too and that expensive kind of love comes in the form of their battery. Most EV batteries are expected to last a decade, but when your electric baby needs a change, estimates can reach the thousands of dollars.
- Electricity isn't free. Yes, that nest oil price hike won't have you running to the gas station to 'filler' up' but electricity isn't free either. It's still a lot cheaper than gas, but you shouldn't be shocked to see that $20 hike in your electricity bill every month.
- That fear of running out of power when all you're surrounded with is gas stations. The approximately 75 miles that your car can cover is mostly fine for most EV users. But on that one day that you forget to charge or unexpectedly have to run ten more errands than usual, you can't help but get that nagging feeling that you're just going to have to stop anytime.
- Charging takes a while. Gas station visits usually take fifteen minutes at most, which some may find too time consuming. With EVs, you're going to have to take a little more time to charge. So, you know, don't charge when you're already late for work.
So what does this partnership between Nissan and BMW mean for the future of electric vehicles?
For starters, those who already own EVs and hybrids can breathe a little better because there will be more charging stations available to them across these 19 states. This means that fear of losing power can be saved for the other states and also because the air you breathe is literally emission free, hence, cleaner.
This collaboration between these giants can also attract regular gas car users to check their local dealers to consider making the change. Of course, the number of additional charging stations is still small compared to the number of gasoline stations that are more conveniently placed at every corner of the country. However, the 120 additional stations can really be a game changer for those considering EVs and hybrids, yet are still a little uncomfortable with the idea of not being able to charge their vehicles far from home. What's more, this can also inspire other car companies to follow suit and support the cause.
With the historic agreement made in the COP21 in Paris where leaders from different countries came together to resolve to save the planet, this move made by these motor giants is a very encouraging one that moves us forward toward the betterment of the one planet that we have. It may just be one move, but it is one move that can change a whole lot, save a planet and inspire many.
