Every time I walk by a gas station with my dad, he looks up at the price and sighs in disappointment. It’s expensive.
He owns a (gas and electric) hybrid car, charging it routinely and leaving gas as a backup.
Even still, my family knows the burden of relying on that price, and we think of friends and other families who continue to do so. The hybrid car has saved a significant amount of money through electric charging, and it would only be better with a full electric vehicle.
You might be looking for a new car and wondering if an electric vehicle (EV) is right for you. Whether you prioritize protecting the environment, enjoy thrilling acceleration or need a car that fits your budget, EVs deliver it all.
Cleaner air, safer climate
Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Massachusetts, accounting for about 38% of total statewide emissions. Of those statewide emissions, 27% comes from light duty vehicles, which includes cars, SUVs, minivans and small pickup trucks.
Unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, battery-electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. That means no exhaust coming out of the vehicle while it is driving.
That doesn’t mean an EV is completely emissions-free. Manufacturing an EV battery requires energy and raw materials. The better comparison is the total emissions over the vehicle’s lifecycle, rather than tailpipe vs. no tailpipe emissions. And on that measure, EVs have a significant advantage.
Instead of burning fossil fuels weekly, you use energy from the grid. The cleaner our grid electricity supply becomes, the cleaner an EV becomes without the driver having to change anything about the vehicle. Some homeowners decide to install chargers that are directly connected to home systems such as their solar panels and heat pump. We’ll go over financial benefits later, but the best part of using home energy systems is that your weekly transportation energy is essentially free, in addition to your other residential energy needs.
From a sustainability perspective, walking, biking, public transportation and reducing unnecessary driving can sometimes be even better than replacing one vehicle with another. That does not make EVs less important, but it is important to think of them as a piece of the sustainable transportation system we would like to build.
Fast speed and instant power
If you have never driven an EV, the acceleration may surprise you. Electric motors produce torque almost immediately, allowing many EVs to accelerate extremely quickly and smoothly.
There are EVs capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds, which is a trait that was once associated primarily with high-end sports cars. This is quite appealing if you’re merging onto a highway. Because electric motors do not require traditional gear shifting in the same way gasoline engines do, the experience is remarkably smooth.
More choices, more competition
EVs might still feel quite new, but they have moved well beyond the time when they were primarily expensive vehicles for early adopters. The International Energy Agency reported that in 2025, more than 20 million electric cars were sold worldwide, equivalent to about one out of every four new cars. That rate is expected to grow.
The first generation of modern EVs was dominated by a relatively small number of models, many of them positioned as premium products. The amount of electric car models has boomed in recent years. Today, consumers can choose among compact cars, sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, luxury vehicles and performance models. That growing competition matters, as it incentivizes improvements in technology while bringing down costs.
EVs can also offer lower operating costs. Electricity is often less expensive per mile than gasoline, especially when charging is done at home. EVs also have fewer moving parts and no internal combustion engine, which generally means less routine maintenance.
What about the battery?
EV batteries require minerals such as lithium, graphite, nickel and manganese. Mining and processing these materials, as well as battery manufacturing, can have significant environmental and social impacts.
The encouraging news is that battery technology is evolving quickly. Manufacturers are developing batteries that use different materials, last longer, store more energy and can be manufactured with fewer environmental impacts.
For example, lithium-iron-phosphate batteries have become increasingly common. They do not require nickel or cobalt and have lower lifecycle emissions than some high-nickel battery chemistries.
Recycling is another important factor. As more EV batteries reach the end of their useful lives, recovering materials from those batteries can reduce the need for additional mining and move the industry toward a more circular system.
Some common objections
“The grid can’t handle more EV chargers.” Claims that EVs (and heat pump installations) will overwhelm the grid are based on the unrealistic assumption that nearly everyone will trade in gas-powered vehicles for EVs (and convert their existing boilers) within the next year or two.
Both ISO New England, the organization that manages our regional electric grid, and Marblehead Municipal Light Department are planning for an orderly increase in the demand for electricity from new electric heating systems, EV charging as well as population increases. Additional clean power generating sources from solar, wind and hydro are being developed and will be brought online. The transmission network will also be expanded.
“What if I need to travel further than the car’s range?” It is true that some EV drivers suffer from range anxiety, but charging recommendations are built into EV’s native navigation systems. Meanwhile, expanded charging networks and faster charging times are taking away the stress for longer trips. Range has been improving, and will continue to improve, in newer models.
EV incentives
Federal government incentives have played an important role in encouraging EV adoption, but the market is no longer dependent entirely on federal policy. Here in Massachusetts, state support remains available.
The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles, or MOR-EV, currently provides rebates for eligible new and used battery-electric vehicles, along with additional incentives for income-qualifying residents and certain other categories. This program can provide $3,500 to $6,000 in potential savings. It is also being updated, so make sure to check the current requirements.
The bottom line: Electric vehicles are more than just a trend; they’re a powerful step toward a cleaner future for transportation. Whether you prioritize the environment, the thrill of the drive, or the bottom line, there’s an EV out there ready to meet your needs. And, the time is now to take advantage of the rebates.
Come see a variety of EVs up close at the upcoming Marblehead Cruise-in” event, which will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m. in the Devereux Beach parking lot.
Jessica Valatka is the summer intern for Sustainable Marblehead.
