Understanding EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) are fun to drive, cheaper and easier to maintain than gas-powered vehicles, and contribute fewer emissions into the air. With tax incentives available and a fast-growing network of charging stations, find out if owning an EV is the right choice for you.

Benefits of Plugging In

Save Big on Fuel

Driving electric offers significant savings compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.

EV Incentives

Incentives, rebates and other credits are available to help make driving electric more affordable.

Low Cost to Own

EV owners can expect to spend half as much on maintenance and repair (Consumer Reports)

Fuel Up At Home

Charge while you sleep, work, or at a growing number of public chargers.

Quick and Quiet

Enjoy fast and smooth acceleration, better handling, and a quieter ride.

Best of Both Worlds

Plug-in hybrids provide electric range for short trips and gas-power for longer journeys.

88%of EV owners say they charge their vehicle at home "often" or "always".

Which EV is Right for Me?

Battery Electric

Fully electric cars offer the smallest environmental footprint and the biggest savings on maintenance and fuel.

Plug-in Hybrid

Plug-in hybrids have a rechargeable electric motor and a gas-powered engine to extend range if needed.

Traditional Hybrid

Powered by an electric motor and gas-powered engine, Hybrids recharge as you drive. Tax credits and other benefits may not apply.

Fuel Efficient

These efficient, gas-powered vehicles get over 40MPG and still reduce your emissions and costs.

Owning an EV

Know Which Charger is Right for You

There are three different options for charging a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle. It's important to know the differences so you get the right amount of power for your vehicle, and know where you can go to find each one.

  • Level 1 Chargers: these are able to use a standard household outlet and can charge around two to five miles of range in an hour. These are good for plug-in hybrid vehicles, but it's not recommended for EVs.
  • Level 2 Chargers: this charger is installed by a professional electrician and is able to give you 10 to 20 miles of range per hour. This is good for a plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle as you can leave it to charge overnight or during the day if you're not using it and get a full battery.
  • Level 3 Chargers: these are what are called fast chargers, and they are the most efficient, and often found in public areas of commercial charging stations. You can get around 60 to 80 miles of range in about 20 minutes, which is good for if you're on the go and need to keep your range high.

Charging from Home

You are able to charge from home with both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. A Level 1 charger is great for a plug-in hybrid as it can plug into a standard outlet and if you leave it overnight, it will get back your EV range on the gas-electric option. With a Level 2 charger, you need an electrician to install it, but the benefit is for those with EVs you can do daytime or overnight charging right from your driveway or garage, and often times you can find incentives from your local utility company to install one as well.

Battery Care

When you have a hybrid or EV, you can expect the batteries to last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles With the right care, you'll be able to maximize how much range you're able to get out of them. As batteries and EVs continue to evolve, the technology gets better and we'll see that number increase. In the meantime, be sure to keep your battery range at 20 to 80 percent charged most of the time, and try and avoid having your vehicle in very hot temperatures. This way, your maintenance will be minimal.

Jeep Hybrid and Electric Options

As of 2022, Jeep offers two different plug-in hybrid options. These are the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Both have the quality attributes you would expect to find on their full gasoline counterparts but offer you a hybrid engine platform that also provides a limited all-electric range.

On the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, you will also find the same 375-horsepower engine, while also finding a maximum of 6,000 pounds of towing when you pick the right setup. It has 56 miles per gallon electric equivalent as well for ultimate efficiency and an estimated 25 miles of all-electric driving range, and a 470-mile overall range.

With the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, you will find it available in multiple trims and feature many off-road options available to you, along with specialized badging. This gives you an engine that provides you with 370 miles of total driving range, with ample power, and with 375 horsepower. It also is able to give you 49 miles per gallon electric equivalent, and a 21-mile pure electric driving range that can be recharged at home, or through regenerative braking. It also has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the right trim and setup.

Jeep Hybrid and Electric FAQs

Many people have questions when choosing a plug-in hybrid or EV, and our team is here to answer them for those in Klamath Falls and all of Oregon.

Is the maintenance schedule different for an electric vehicle?

With hybrids and plug-in hybrids, you'll have to be mindful to make sure the hybrid system and electric motors onboard are running at their best. With service at routine intervals, we will be able to check for you and assure you of that status. For purely electric vehicles, there are some differences. Since it no longer runs on fossil fuels, there are some engine services that won't be needed but instead, you'll have some electric motor services should an issue arise.

How does an oil change work for a hybrid or electric vehicle?

With hybrids, you're still using a gas engine, so that means you will still have to get oil changes at suggested intervals to keep the engine clean and efficient. With an EV, there is no need for an oil change, because you do not use a gasoline engine. That's one reason many like to consider EVs in the area at dealerships around Klamath Falls.

What else to I need to know about servicing my hybrid or electric vehicle?

You should always know that if there is a performance issue or you're not sensing something with your vehicle is working properly, that you should bring it in for a maintenance appointment to dealerships like ours. It's also important to always get the right parts too. This is especially true with hybrid components for specific vehicles such as those in the Jeep 4xe lineup. You want to ensure a smooth ride at all times with the right and most efficient parts designs specifically for your vehicle.

Beyond that, it's important to maintain your vehicle regularly and know that power components like the hybrid system and your regenerative braking system will have to be inspected to ensure all is in working order, and that is something we can do for you!

Learn More About Jeep Hybrid and Electric Options Today

At Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Klamath Falls, our team is here to guide you through the current options in the Jeep 4xe lineup and discuss all hybrid and EV vehicles with you both current and future models. To get started, contact us at the dealership and we can begin soon.

  1. Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM of Klamath Falls

    2675 Washburn Way
    Klamath Falls, OR 97603-4515

    • Sales: 8886217032
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Want to Learn More About Electric Vehicles?

 

Trees For Test Drives
Help Us Plant 100,000 Trees!

We've partnered with GreenCars, the Arbor Day Foundation, and Lithia and Driveway dealerships across the country to plant 100,000 long leaf pine trees across Eglin Air Force Base located in the Florida Panhandle. Between April 22nd and December 31st, we'll plant one tree for every qualifying test drive completed.

Here's how it works. After you take a test drive in an electric, hybrid, or 40+ mpg vehicle, scan the QR code located on the GreenCars hang tag inside the vehicle. Fill out and submit the short form telling us about your experience and we'll plant a tree on your behalf! It's that easy.

Common Questions

A federal tax credit of $7,500 is available on most EV models. Depending on where you live, state and local rebates and incentives may also be available. Check with your sales associate to find out if the model is eligible for rebates and incentives.

Other advantages of owning an EV include:

  • Eligible EVs may also qualify for HOV lane access, which are normally restricted to vehicles with multiple passengers.
  • Many electric companies offer lower rates based on the time of use. With EVs, you can save money by charging during off-peak times.
  • If you're able to charge from work or home, there's usually no need to stop to refuel like you would in a gas-powered vehicle.
  • EVs produce zero tail-pipe emissions resulting in cleaner air and better health.

This will vary depending on the local price of electricity and gas and where you are charging (at home or public charger), but most EV owners can expect to save on fuel cost. A recent Consumer Reports study found the “typical EV owner who does most of their fueling at home can expect to save an average of $800 to $1,000 a year on fueling costs over an equivalent gasoline-powered car.”

Source: Benjamin Preston. October 08, 2020. EVs Offer Big Savings Over Traditional Gas-Powered Cars.

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/evs-offer-big-savings-over-traditional-gas-powered-cars/

A recent Consumer Reports study found “maintenance and repair costs for EVs are significantly lower over the life of the vehicle – about half – than for gasoline–powered vehicles, which require regular fluid changes and are more mechanically complex. The average dollar savings over the lifetime of the vehicle is about $4,600.”

Source: Benjamin Preston. October 08, 2020. EVs Offer Big Savings Over Traditional Gas-Powered Cars.

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/evs-offer-big-savings-over-traditional-gas-powered-cars/
Gas powered vehicles offer a range of 300-400mi. Battery electric vehicles offer a median range of 250mi. For EV owners who charge at home, this is more than enough for daily use. For longer drives beyond the range of your vehicle, check a public charger map for charger availability along your route.
  • Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet and charge about 2-5 miles of range per hour, making Level 1 a good choice for plugin hybrid vehicles but not battery electric vehicles.

  • Level 2 chargers can be installed at your home by a professional electrician and charge about 10-20 miles of range per hour. A good choice for any EV when charging overnight or all-day is possible.

  • Level 3 fast chargers are the most efficient and can be found at commercial locations. Level 3 can charge about 60-80 miles of range in about 20 minutes, making it a good choice for any EV when a quick charge is needed on the go.
Yes, Level 1 and Level 2 chargers can be used at home. In fact, the standard 120V outlet supports a Level 1 charger. Level 2 chargers require 240V and can be installed by a licensed electrician. If you do not own your home, you may need to work with your property owner to install a Level 2 charger.
Most batteries will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles when properly cared for. With battery technology continually advancing, that number should continue to increase.

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