Gas vs. Electric – Which is Right for You?

Every day, more and more electric vehicles enter the road for the first time. Between new electric models being introduced left and right, and many automotive manufacturers pledging to create entire fleets of fully elected models, you may wonder if your next vehicle should be electric or gasoline.

At Hilltop Ford, we feature an inventory of fantastic models to meet the needs of your lifestyle. Whether you need a pickup truck that can tow 10,000 lbs or or perhaps a versatile SUV, we feature fantastic gasoline and electric options for virtually everyone. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of gasoline and electric vehicles and determine which type is best for you at Hilltop Ford.

Once you've picked out a model that you'd like to explore in person, we welcome you to come into our Ford dealership for an in-person test drive.

The Pros and Cons of Driving an Electric Vehicle

The Pros of Electric Vehicles

Fuel Savings
Because electricity is cheaper than gasoline, driving an electric vehicle can't save hundreds of dollars per month in fuel savings. In California, fuel averages north of $5 per gallon, and it can cost $60 to $75 to fill up an average sedan. In contrast, it can cost as little as a few dollars to charge your vehicle at home.

Convenience
Electric vehicles can be charged from home, which means that you can wake up every morning with a charged battery. In addition, electric vehicles can be charged overnight when electric rates are at their lowest, allowing you to maximize your savings.

Tax Benefits
The purchase or lease of an electric vehicle is often paired with a substantial tax credit. Offered as an incentive for buyers, this tax credit offsets the higher price of electric vehicles and helps you save money in the long run. In addition, every Ford electric vehicle comes with 250-kW of free charging through Electrify America so you can start your journey with free charging!

Lower Maintenance
Electric vehicles do not have complex internal combustion engines. They offer lower maintenance costs because they require no oil changes, transmission flushes, or other services like vehicles with internal combustion engines.

The Cons of Electric Vehicles

Higher Price
Because EV batteries are not cheap and electric vehicles feature more advanced technology than gas powered cars, they often feature a higher price tag. Although tax incentives aim to offset the purchase price, this tax credit often does not apply to the purchase price unless you lease the vehicle. However, starting in 2024, this credit can be taken off the purchase price.

Towing
Towing can significantly affect an electric vehicle's range due to the amount of energy that it requires to haul a trailer.

The Pros and Cons of Driving a Gas Vehicle

The Pros of Gas

Cost Effective
One of the benefits of gas powered cars is that they offer lower upfront cost, making them easier to purchase. For example, a compact sedan may cost around $25,000, while an electric vehicle of the same size but typically costs twice as much.

Towing
Because gas and diesel powered vehicles can hold so much energy in their fuel tanks, they're able to tow for longer distances. Because electric vehicles are designed to travel long distances on small amounts of energy, towing can drain their batteries quite quickly.

The Cons of Driving Gasoline-Powered Vehicles

More Expensive in the Long Run
Gas-powered vehicles that use complex engines and transmissions require a lot of oversight. From maintenance costs to expensive fuel costs, driving a gasoline vehicle comes with a higher cost of ownership than an electric vehicle.

Get on the Road in a New Ford Today

At Hilltop Ford, we make it easy for you to drive home in your dream car. From our wide selection of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and gas-powered cars, you'll find the best gas mileage vehicles here in our inventory.

After you've chosen the perfect model, we welcome you to take advantage of fantastic specials that help you save money on your lease or finance deal. Hilltop Ford is located in Richmond, CA, and we're the preferred Ford dealer for drivers in nearby cities like Berkeley, CA, and Oakland, CA.

Make your way down to Hilltop Ford and allow us to help you choose the perfect vehicle today!