So what happen when the battery runs out

This is the first question most people will ask, (and I have asked it myself)
Now that I own an electric car, I do find the question rather silly. Since a full charge of an electric car is safely 80 miles, (you can push it farther) but 80 is a safe # to stay at where you wont freak out. 80miles is roughly about 1/3 of a normal car’s gas tank MPG. So when you think of it, how often do you really worry when you gas tank is at 1/3? Not very often.

Now imagine only driving with 1/3 of your gas tank, but every morning when you get home your gas tank is filled back to 1/3 again.
On your typical day, you can probably go quite far finishing most errands with 1/3 of your gas tank and not really worry about it.

For now, my daily commute would only be 40-50 miles/ day, and my boyfriend (who was so impressed with the Fiat 500e got one himself) has a 60 mile commute everyday and its been fine. We’ve been able to get the cars home and charge them overnight. The cars only use about 50% of the battery, which is easily replenished to 100% with an overnight charge.

it is important to not think of the Fiat 500e (or any electric car for that matter) as your primary car. Its a commuter car, its gets you from point A – B to save you $ on gas (within a 80 mile round trip on one charge – or unless you have a charging station at your work a 100-160 mile round trip).

How Do I charge this electric car?

So I learned the hard way, even when people say “there’s free charging” Its not as easy as it sounds, not that its not free, but you again gotta plan.
In my area there are Chargepoint chargers, Blink, and Clipper creek. there are probably more but these are the ones I’ve encountered.

Clippercreek – Free. So this one is the best because you can just plug it in.
Chargepoint – These may be free, or have a fee (its based on whoever owns it) BUT you NEED  a membership card inorder to use it. It took me over 2 weeks to receive the card.
 Blink –  Needs membership and activation to use. This card took 4 weeks to arrive.

 However, you can use a credit card with the “tap and go” at most stations but I have noticed that the rate is higher.

So about 2 weeks -3 weeks before you purchase your car, sign up for all these membership cards because it takes them a while to mail it to you, then you have to activate the card, then you can use it.

So far the only one I have found that I can use would be Clippercreek without a membership.

There are more but these are the only ones I know right now. I’ll update as I find out more.

To Buy or Lease? Should everyone go electric?

Before heading out to a dealership to get an electric car, you should first decide why you want an electric car.
There are usually 2 factors that people consider:
1: “I want to save the environment”
2: “I want to save money”

for me, it was #2, and #1 is just a nice bonus on top. Starting a 40-50 mile daily round trip commute, my big Premium unleaded Gas SUV, was not gonna help my wallet. I wanted to be economical, to spend as little as possible on transportation. My SUV was $500/month + about 300 in gas (with my new commute) = $800 a month.. That’s just too much. So I started researching electric, hybrids, or really cheap cars with high MPGS (like a Honda Civic).

However, nothing was as affordable as the electric car.
My total monthly payments on the Fiat is ~$150 (including taxes) with Zero down (due to the rebates)
Even on a free gas car, I would be spending $200-250 on gas + maintenance)

So, should everyone go electric? 

If you’re good at

• counting miles
• planning
• have a really scheduled commute where you know you’ll be going to and from under 80 miles a day
• have access to an outlet or charger
• have a paid off or really cheap gas car as a backup

then Yes its a good option

So, Should you buy or lease? 
Lease!
Electric is still in its infancy and technology is always upgrading. In a few years, the cars today will be ancient. Lease because there are a lot of great rebates from the Federal ($7500), State ($2500), and City (check your local area) I’ve seen some at ($2000). The rebates make having an electric car very affordable, so if you can manage it in your lifestyle its a great decision.