The Life Expectancy of an Electric Vehicle

Image Credit: Chevy Volt

     One of the main factors that causes people to shy away from the idea of an electric vehicle (EV) is its life expectancy. The fear is not because the battery life is necessarily short, but is due to the fact that there is not much data supporting either side since they are a relatively new commodity. Reliability and durability are two extremely important factors when car shopping, and they can make or break your decision. The lack of information is enough to make this an unsettling option, however the information that is currently available makes EVs appear to be a pretty safe bet.

     Eric Belmer, an EV owner, drives his Chevy Volt long distances daily; his monthly work commute adds up to 6,500 miles. His 2012 vehicle has just reached 300,000 miles and is still going strong on its first battery. This news means that electric vehicles, at least the Chevy Volt, are a reliable choice. More in-depth research has found that many EVs have 100,000 miles on them or more, and they are still using their original battery. More data allows the buyer to have peace of mind as their concerns are addressed.

     If you want to purchase an electric car, the reliability and durability of the vehicle are factors that can be put in the back of your head and no longer serve as the main concern. Having peace of mind when car shopping will allow you to think about the other factors that come into play such as mileage per charge, whether it is a completely electric vehicle or a hybrid, the size of the car, the color, and anything else the customer has a preference on. Knowledge is key when purchasing a new car; the process should take time. 

Read more at: 300000 Miles Chevy Volt

When to Get Rid of Your Plastic Water Bottle

People often wonder if using a plastic water bottle more than once is harmful to your health. Researchers have found that, while the material has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for repeated use, these water bottles are manufactured for one.

The reusing of plastic water bottles can lead to growth in bacteria, so they should be washed with soap and hot water after every use. They have found that levels remain considerably safe with reasonable, reusing over a three month period.

“Researchers found the water in the plastic bottles had only 0.195 ppb at the beginning of the study and 0.226 ppb three whole months later — way below the EPA limit. (They also tested the local tap water for comparison and found antimony levels of 0.146 ppb.)” Techinsider

However, using plastic bottles is still bad for the environment, even if you are reusing them. To decrease your carbon footprint and reduce the waste accumulating in landfills, the best option is to purchase a dishwasher-safe permanent water bottle. A reusable water bottle may be a bit pricey at first, but in the end it will save you a lot of money and decrease the waste in our environment.