Is An Electric Car Practical When You Live Out In The Country?

The biggest advantage of living on a homestead in the countryside is that you’re free from the rabble of busy city life. You’re out in the sticks, and that’s exactly what you want. It may take 20 minutes to get to the nearest major town or city area, which isn’t usually a problem for anyone. 

With that being said, what if you wanted to get an electric car? You’re trying to be more sustainable and have already made some eco-friendly adjustments around your house. The idea of an EV is brilliant, yet you’re worried about the practicality when living so far away from everything. 

In truth, the only worry is the driving range of your electric vehicle. Can you get where you need to be and back without running out of battery? Well, you might be surprised at how practical electric cars are these days, so here are some things to consider prior to buying one: 

You can charge them at home

Even if you live way out in the countryside, you can still install an electric car charging port at home. Make sure a certified electrician does this as they will figure out the best way to secure a connection. It shouldn’t be any different than installing one at a house in a built-up urban area. After all, the electricity is pulled from the same connection that connects your homestead to the grid. 

Keeping that in mind, you’ll always have a full charge before starting any commutes from home. This should be more than enough to get you wherever you need to go – especially if you’re just commuting to work or the shops. 

Check for the nearest electric chargers near you

The biggest worry is driving somewhere and not having enough battery charge to get back home to top it up. Thankfully, there are more and more electric charging stations popping up across the country. If you go to the shops, most grocery stores have dedicated charging bays that you can use. Likewise, offices and businesses have them too. 

Check out this EV charging station map and it should give you peace of mind. You can see all the chargers around you and use them to plan any long trips so you never run out of battery. 

Get a car with a good range

Most EVs will have a range between 100-300 miles between charges. It’s widely considered that a 200-mile range is a premium, so keep an eye on this figure when buying your car. 

In the majority of cases, daily use of your car will not consume 200 miles or more. In fact, 100 miles may be enough to get you to work and back without charging the battery between. It depends on where you live and where you need to go, but most people shouldn’t have any issues. 

An electric car can still be highly practical when you live out in the country. As long as you choose a car with good range and have charging stations relatively nearby, you won’t run into any problems. So, if you want to make the switch to improve your carbon footprint, go ahead!

by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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