We in South Hadley are blessed by a municipal electric company that produces 90% non-emitting, highly reliable and relatively cheap electricity. At the same time we are using gasoline to power our cars. The oil from which gasoline is made is a terribly dirty product. Getting it out of the ground destroys our land and pollutes our waters. Shipping it causes oil spills. Refining it takes great energy and pollutes our air. Burning it in our internal combustion engines (ICE) treats our sky as an open sewer.

Electric cars (EVs) have finally come of age. The technical aspects are up and the financial costs are down. If you are really concerned about range, then you buy a plug-in hybrid. Most of us go only 40 miles a day in our driving. A home charger will take care of range needs. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) get at least 200 miles per charge. Charging stations are everywhere. If you are smart enough not to run out of gas, you are smart enough not to run out of electricity. SHELD, our electric department, will help you buy the car, give you $300 towards a charger and pay you $120 per year to join the Connected Homes Program. One car company is giving EV buyers a charging station and financial help for the electrical connection. The state will give you a $3,500 rebate. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will give you up to $7,500 tax credit for an American car. EVs are cheaper to maintain and cheaper to power. Electric Vehicles are fun to drive and you can take great pride in knowing you are helping our world as you go forward. Visit johnhowardsolar.org/?page_id=786 online for more information.

John Howard

South Hadley

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