E-Vehicle Owners Not Feeling Much Pain at Gas Pumps

DULUTH, Minn. – The rise in gas prices is not impacting people who have made the switch to one that only needs electricity to power it.

Tim Melby of Cloquet says he’s able to get to work and back with a few hours of charging every day at Duluth’s charging station at Canal Park.  While his family’s decision to buy the vehicle last October was done for environmental reasons, they have noticed the benefit of not needing to pay as often at gas pumps.

“We have another car that’s a plug-in hybrid,” says Melby,” but between the two of them I think I’ve filled up with gas once in the last two months or since Christmas probably.  It’s been nice not to have to go to gas stations.”

When asked about the cost to purchase an electric vehicle, which are more expensive than gas-powered ones, Melby says there are ways to bring that cost down.  “We actually are leasing because we weren’t sure about, being the first car that was an EV, we weren’t sure what to expect especially with the cold winters here.  When we decided to lease it, the (dealership) actually included the $7,500 tax rebate to lower the total amount that we were leasing.  So it make it a lot more affordable.”

As for performance during the cold winter months, Melby says the range does go down 10 to 15-percent, but its power never suffered.  As of now, he’s considering buying it after leasing it.  “As long as the car stays reliable over the next couple of years.  We like it.  It’s nice to have.  It’s quiet.  You don’t notice a lot of differences…but it was a little different just at first to get used to.”

City of Duluth Public Information Office Kate Van Daele tells FOX 21 the city is planning to add more charging stations in other parts of the city.  They are working with their partners in the local, state, and federal level to find locations and funding for them.