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WFEC Offers EV Rebate

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We’ve got some exciting news for EV owners living on West Florida Electric Cooperative’s (WFEC) distribution system. You may qualify for our $100 EV rebate.

Applying for your rebate is easy at westflorida.coop/electric-vehicles. When you register your vehicle, you’ll help us get a better understanding of how - and - when members are using electricity to charge EVs. This information will help guide planning for our power delivery system, as well as additional EV programs and rebates that benefit you.

The average range of today’s fully electric cars is around 275 miles. Some can go up to 330 miles on a full charge. That’s well above the average daily commute. The price for that charge is about half as much as filling up a gasoline-powered vehicle, and EV owners can do about 80 percent of the vehicle’s charging from home. With gains in the amount of energy these EV batteries can store, drivers can go further on each charge. As battery technology increases, EV prices will continue to come down and as more consumers go electric, automaker’s competition will increase.

Consumers can already choose from a variety of attractive and affordable models, including electric SUVs. manufacturers like Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Dodge are following suit and planning to bring electric pickups to market through 2024.

There are various types of EVs available; these three are the most common:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs or AEVs) Battery Electric Vehicles have a battery and an electric motor  instead of a gas tank and an internal combustion engine. Sometimes BEVs are also referred to as “All Electric Vehicles” or “Plug-in Vehicles” (not to be confused with Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). They run entirely on electricity and do not produce any exhaust from burning fuel.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal combustion engine. Some PHEVs operate exclusively, or almost exclusively, on electricity until the battery is nearly depleted, then the gasoline-powered engine turns on to provide power. Like Battery Electric Vehicles, PHEVs can be plugged in to charge the battery when the vehicle is not in use.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal combustion engine, and don’t plug-in for charging. HEVs can have substantial range on a single tank of gas, but they still burn fuel, produce carbon emissions, require trips to the gas station and scheduled engine maintenance. An HEV may be an ideal choice for those with extended commutes and limited  charging system access.

While visiting our website, check out all the helpful information about the benefits of driving electric, from home and public charging to available offers and incentives, like tax credits. There is also useful information about charging options, battery information, operating costs, maintenance, and more available online. If you’re interested in purchasing an EV, you can also use the savings calculator to estimate your monthly savings potential. You can also search for public charging locations using the online tool.

Whether you’re already behind the wheel of an EV or considering one for your future ride, we’re here with a road map of resources to help. To find out more about our EV rebate program, call 800-342-7400 or visit www.westflorida.coop.