Single moms don’t get nearly as much credit or praise as they deserve. On top of bearing the financial burden of raising a family alone, they wear multiple hats at once: teacher, nurse, maid, counselor, chef, chauffeur, entertainer, and so much more. The very least these incredible women deserve is a car that will make their lives easier, right?
Interestingly, female buyers seem to be shying away from one type of vehicle: electric cars. According to an Edmunds survey last year, just 34% of women say they’d consider an EV purchase for their next purchase. But why?
Well, just like everything else, buying an EV comes with its own set of pros and cons. Women seem to have identified a few of the cons on their own — but what about the pros? Could going all-electric actually be a smart move for a single momma? It’s definitely possible!
Here are some things that single moms—and all women—should keep in mind as they consider an electric car purchase.
Electric Car Purchase Pro: Bye, Bye, Gas Pump
The biggest “duh” when it comes to the benefits of EVs over gas-powered cars is the obvious appeal of never having to fill up your car again. Who cares if gas prices skyrocket? Not you! You can just plug into your home charger or even a standard wall outlet and voila! More miles. No hassle. Plus, one study says you can potentially save about $14k in fuel costs over the life of your EV. So really, that’s two pros in one!
EV Purchase Pro: Feel Good About Going Green
One of the greatest rewards of driving an EV is the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a positive impact on the environment. Unlike traditional gas-powered cars, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means you’re not adding to the air pollution that affects our planet and our health.
Imagine being able to drive around town, running errands, or even sitting in your garage with the car turned on, all without worrying about harmful emissions. With an EV, you’re contributing to a cleaner, greener future for your kids and the community. You’re basically a hero.
Related: Are Electric Cars Actually Better for the Environment?
EV Purchase Pro: A Quiet Place
If you’re a single mom, you value peace and quiet, however you can get it. Without the rumble of a loud engine, your EV driving experience can be downright spa-like. (Unless, of course, you’re driving with your kids, in which case there’s no guarantee of that whatsoever.)
Related: Your Electrifying Guide to Epic EV Road Trips
Electric Car Purchase Pro: Tax Incentives
It doesn’t hurt that an EV purchase could make you eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits and incentives, depending on where you live. What mom (or anyone for that matter) doesn’t want more money in her pocket?
Electric Car Purchase Pro: The Fun Factor
This one may be a little subjective since there are several die-hard enthusiasts of big, burly V8 engines or engaging manual transmissions out there, so what’s “fun” for one person may not fit the bill for someone else. But there’s no denying the satisfaction that comes from punching an EV off the line and feeling the g-force push you into the back of your seat. (It also comes in handy if you lose track of time and realize you’re late for carpool pickup — not that I speak from experience.)
Related: 9 Fun Cars That Will Make You Grin From Ear to Ear
EV Purchase Con: Charging Can Be Tedious
If you’re the forgetful type (not like moms don’t have a million other things on their minds), it can be tricky to remember to keep your EV charged up. This is especially true if you don’t have a fast charger installed at home because most regular outlets take upwards of 12 hours or more to charge an electric car fully. The last thing you want is to be late for work or another important meeting because you forgot to plug in your EV the night before! This one’s not a deal-breaker, per se, but it’s definitely something to consider if you’re thinking about making the switch to all-electric driving.
Electric Car Purchase Con: Road Trips Are Harder
Aside from day-to-day driving, you’ve also got to think about how an EV purchase could impact your travel habits. Maybe you’re the type of mom who likes to load up the kids and take frequent road trips. If so, just be aware that all those charging stops will add a significant amount of time to your trip.
You can expect to spend 20 to 40 minutes at each charging station (or more if you have to wait your turn in line) for every 200 to 300 miles you drive. Just get ready for an uptick in “Are we there yet?” questions from your kids, who’ll probably start to feel a little restless after a while of this. (On the plus side, it makes for some good, built-in bathroom breaks.)
EV Purchase Con: Range Anxiety is Real
For single moms, range anxiety isn’t just about the fear of running out of miles. If your only option for charging is a dark, dimly lit station in the middle of nowhere at night (and I’ve been there!), that can cause some understandable heart palpitations. Luckily, most companies are expanding their network of charging stations these days, but there’s still a long way to go before it reaches the convenience of all the gas stations that dot every few miles of the interstate.
Electric Car Purchase Con: It Can Be Costly
Yes, you’ll pocket more money over the long run thanks to those lovely fuel savings and lower maintenance costs, but EV purchases are generally more expensive than gas-powered cars upfront. But manufacturers are working on this too! They’re starting to produce budget-friendly EVs to make them more accessible to a broader audience. Among these, you’ve got the Nissan Leaf S ($29,280), the Hyundai Kona Electric SE ($34,050) and the MIni Cooper Hardtop SE Classic ($31,895). The only catch is that these more affordable EVs usually translate to a lower driving range. But you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
So, is an EV purchase right for single moms?
While shopping for an EV, you might come up with your own list of pros and cons that differ slightly from this list, so the only person who can ultimately answer this question is you. But here’s what I’d tell my single mom friends if they asked me whether or not an EV was a good choice for them: If you usually stick pretty close to home and can commit to keeping it charged, an EV is a pretty great option for a single mom. But if total freedom and max upfront savings are your priorities, stick with a gas-powered car.
