I never thought I'd be the type of guy writing about electric cars, honestly. Two years ago, if you'd told me I'd be driving one, I would've laughed and asked what was wrong with a good old pickup truck. But here I am, and let me tell you how this whole thing started because it wasn't some grand environmental awakening or anything like that.
My work truck is still gas-powered – has to be, considering I'm hauling tools and equipment all over Philadelphia every day. But our family car situation got me thinking differently. My wife's Honda was dying, needed a new transmission that would cost more than the car was worth. We were looking at used cars, and she mentioned maybe considering a hybrid or electric. I rolled my eyes, figured she'd been reading too much stuff online about saving the planet.
Then I started doing the math. Really doing the math, not just looking at sticker prices. See, being an electrician gives you a different perspective on electricity costs. I know exactly what we pay per kilowatt-hour, I understand our electric bill better than most people, and I can calculate energy usage in my sleep. When I actually sat down and figured out what it would cost to "fuel" an electric car versus buying gas, especially with gas prices going crazy, the numbers were pretty compelling.
We ended up test driving a few different models. I'll be honest, I was skeptical about the whole thing. Would it have enough power? What happens if we run out of juice somewhere? How long does it take to charge? All the usual concerns guys like me have about new technology. But driving one changed my mind pretty quickly. The acceleration was incredible – better than most gas engines I'd driven. Dead silent. And the torque, man, the torque was immediate and smooth.
The dealership guy explained the charging situation, showed us apps that locate charging stations, talked about range and battery life. Turns out the technology has come a lot further than I realized. We weren't talking about golf cart performance here – these things could handle highway driving, long trips, everything we needed for daily life.
What really sold me was when I started thinking about it from my work perspective. I've been installing charging stations in people's houses for the past few years, and that work has been picking up steadily. More and more customers are asking about electrical upgrades to support EV charging. I've seen the infrastructure growing firsthand – charging stations popping up at shopping centers, office buildings, even some gas stations. The writing was on the wall that this technology was going mainstream whether I liked it or not.
We bought a used Chevy Bolt. Nothing fancy, but it had everything we needed and the price was reasonable after factoring in some federal tax credits and a state rebate program I didn't even know existed. The dealer helped us figure out all that paperwork, which was more generous than I expected from government programs.
Installing the home charging station was straightforward – basically a 240-volt outlet like what you'd use for an electric dryer, just with different safety requirements and a smart charging unit. Did the installation myself obviously, saved a few hundred bucks on labor. Running new wiring from the panel to the garage took a Saturday afternoon, and now we can charge overnight just like plugging in a phone.
The first few weeks were definitely an adjustment period. I found myself obsessing over the battery level, planning routes around charging stations, worrying about running out of power. Range anxiety is real, especially when you're used to gas stations being everywhere. But after a month or so, you develop new habits. Charge at home most of the time, plan ahead for longer trips, use apps to find public charging when needed.
The maintenance differences became obvious pretty quickly. No oil changes, no exhaust system, no spark plugs, no air filters, fewer moving parts overall. Brake pads last longer because of regenerative braking. The main maintenance items are tires and windshield wipers, same as any car. From a mechanical standpoint, electric motors are much simpler than internal combustion engines – fewer things that can break or wear out.
Our electric bill did go up, but not nearly as much as we were spending on gasoline. I calculated that we're saving about sixty bucks a month compared to what we were paying for gas in the Honda. Over a year, that's real money. Plus no more stopping at gas stations, which saves time and eliminates one more errand to run.
I started talking to other electricians about EVs, sharing what I was learning. Mixed reactions, as you'd expect. Some guys thought I'd lost my mind, others were curious about the technology. A few had been considering the switch themselves but weren't sure about practical issues. I could answer their questions from actual experience now, not just theory or marketing materials.
What surprised me was how much I started to care about the environmental aspect. I mean, I'd never been anti-environment, but it wasn't something I thought about much. When you're driving on electricity that increasingly comes from wind and solar instead of burning gasoline, you realize you're actually doing something positive. Not in some abstract way, but measurably reducing pollution and carbon emissions with every mile driven.
The performance advantages became more apparent over time too. Electric motors deliver full torque instantly, so acceleration is smooth and predictable. No transmission means no gear shifting, no lag between pressing the gas pedal and getting power. Highway merging, passing slower traffic, all of that became easier and more confident. The low center of gravity from the battery pack makes handling better than most gas cars.
Winter performance was something I worried about, and yeah, cold weather does reduce battery range somewhat. But it wasn't as dramatic as I expected, and the car has a heat pump system that's pretty efficient. Plus you can pre-heat the interior while the car's still plugged in, so you start with a warm car and haven't used any battery power for heating yet.
Public charging infrastructure improved noticeably even in the two years we've owned the car. More fast-charging stations, more reliable equipment, better apps for finding and paying for charging. It's still not as convenient as gas stations, but the gap is closing. For most driving, home charging handles everything anyway.
I've had conversations with customers about EVs when I'm doing electrical work at their houses. People are curious, ask questions about practicality, costs, reliability. I can give them honest answers based on real experience. Some are interested, others aren't ready to make the switch, but at least they're getting information from someone who actually lives with the technology daily instead of just reading about it online.
The resale value has held up better than I expected too. Used EV prices have stayed strong, partly because demand is growing and partly because the cars don't wear out the same way gas engines do. Electric motors can run for hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal maintenance. Batteries degrade slowly over time, but not as quickly as early EVs, and battery replacement costs have come down significantly.
My teenage sons were skeptical at first – thought electric cars were weird or not "cool" enough. But they came around once they experienced the acceleration and realized they could impress their friends with the instant torque. Plus they appreciate not having to smell like gasoline after helping me with car maintenance, which used to be a regular complaint.
We're considering replacing my work truck with an electric pickup when it finally gives up, though that's still a few years away. The new electric trucks coming out have serious towing capacity and payload ratings, plus the ability to power tools and equipment directly from the truck's battery. That could be incredibly useful for electrical work, essentially turning your vehicle into a mobile power source for job sites.
Looking back, switching to electric wasn't nearly as disruptive as I expected. Most of the concerns I had beforehand either weren't real problems or were solved by developing slightly different habits. The financial benefits alone would have justified the decision, but the performance advantages and environmental benefits make it feel like a genuinely smart choice rather than just a cost-saving measure.
If you're thinking about making the switch, my advice is to actually drive one and do the math for your specific situation. Don't rely on assumptions or what you've heard from other people. The technology has improved dramatically in just the past few years, and it's continuing to get better. For most people's daily driving needs, an electric car will handle everything you throw at it while saving money and reducing pollution. That's a pretty good combination in my book.
Larry’s a mechanic by trade and a minimalist by accident. After years of chasing stuff, he’s learning to live lighter—fixing what breaks, buying less, and appreciating more. His posts are straight-talking, practical, and proof that sustainable living doesn’t have to mean fancy products or slogans.
