FAQ

EV Basics

EV is the acronym for electric vehicle. Unlike internal combustion engines (ICE) or hybrid vehicles, plug-in EVs are fully powered by electricity. All EVs have a battery instead of a gasoline tank and an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. Some EVs will have dual electric motors with all-wheel drive, or some will have a single electric motor with front or rear wheel drive. Unlike standard vehicle drivetrains that can have up to 2,000 plus moving parts, an EV drivetrain contains around 20 moving parts which makes maintenance less frequent.

Full EVs, also known as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), operate on batteries that store the vehicle’s electricity. Unlike ICE vehicles, some EVs will have more than one electric motor and multiple batteries. Since the vehicle runs on electricity the vehicle uses large traction battery packs and requires electric vehicle supply equipment to charge. The EV will have a charge port that is usually located to the rear of the vehicle where the gas tank would be depending on the make and model.

Beyond making a positive impact on the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, the benefits are pretty clear.

  • No Fuel – All EVs run on electric energy, there is no need to refuel your vehicle and pay for gasoline.
  • Low Maintenance Cost – Since electric motors are efficient and do not require so many moving parts, they do not require frequent servicing. Plus EVs do not require the same oils and fluids which also saves on maintenance costs.
  • Environmentally friendly – With an EV, there are no tailpipe emissions that are harmful to the atmosphere.
Driving an EV is much cheaper than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The cost of charging your EV battery compared to fueling up a gas tank is about a quarter of the price of gas. Not only are you saving money avoiding the gas pump, but you are no longer required to replace any oil or fluids every few months. Since the EV does not have the same drivetrain as an internal combustion engine vehicle, you will not need to worry about any major mechanical repairs. You will still have to maintain the tires, brakes and wiper fluid on a regular basis.
All EVs have a charge port that is usually located where you would find a gas tank door on a gas engine vehicle. Most EV chargers will have the same standard chargepoint plug on the end of the charging cable similar to a gas nozzle. Once the EV charger is connected to the vehicle’s chargepoint the converted current recharges the EVs battery. Depending on the level of home charging station you install, a full charge can range from 6 hours to 12 hours. These charge rates are similar to public charging stations except for fast charging options like the Tesla Supercharger.

Most EV drivers will charge their vehicles at home overnight just like your cell phone or tablet. As more and more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles, charging stations are becoming available at grocery stores, parking garages, and public places.

There are 3 different levels of chargers that are available to EV drivers.

  • Level 1 – The L1 charger is the most standard and the simplest to use. L1 chargers plug directly into a standard 120 volt AC outlet and do not require a licensed electrician to make any changes to your circuit breaker. The L1 charger supplies an average power output of 1.3 kW to 2.4 kW and takes anywhere from 8 to 14 hours to fully charge depending on how much it is depleted. In order to maintain proper battery health we always recommend you use an L1 charger for your EV.
  • Level 2 – L2 chargers need to be plugged into a 240 volt AC outlet and require a dedicated 40 amp circuit. If your home, garage, or business does not have an available 240 volt AC outlet, then you would need to hire a licensed electrician to take care of the necessary electrical work and installation. Certain cities and states may require an L2 charger to be hardwired to the power supply, especially if the EV charging station is installed outdoors. The L2 charger supplies an average power output of 6.2 kW to 7.6 kW with an average of 4 to 6 hours to charge a completely depleted battery.
  • Level 3 – DC Fast Chargers and Superchargers are anywhere from 400 volts to 900 volts and are mostly public charging stations. Most homes are not equipped for 480 volt Fast Chargers since most residences are not supplied with direct-current power. These are mostly for commercial use due to the need for DC power and the cost of installation. The DC fast charging stations will charge a depleted battery within an hour of charging.

Public charging stations are typically private companies and may require you to download an app for payment.

Most EVs have an estimated range based on a full charge. An EV’s charge depends on the driving conditions, heater/A/C usage, and vehicle make/model. According to the EPA, the average range of EVs is about 234 miles on a single charge. The Tesla Model 3 has an average range of 358 miles on a full charge. Compared to the compact Nissan Leaf with an average range of 149 miles on a full charge.

In order to get more efficiency out of your battery, there are some suggestions to help extend vehicle range.

  • Reduce depth of discharge – Frequent “top off” charges are better for your battery range than draining to empty and fully re-charging again.
  • Avoid prolonged heat exposure – Avoid charging or storing your EV in hot environments for extended periods of time. Park in a covered garage when possible.
  • Use fast charging sparingly – Only use DC fast chargers occasionally or when necessary for road trips. “Slow charging” overnight is best for the battery and your wallet.

The short answer is yes, but this also depends on how much you drive and how much electricity costs in your area. Overall, your savings on gas will more than offset the cost of electricity and depending on your city and state. Some utility companies and local city governments offer EV incentives and discounted rates.

Most EVs will not require a computer or smartphone but some manufacturers offer mobile applications for their vehicles. These apps are built for everything from remotely monitoring your EV to powering the vehicle. You also may need a smartphone to access some of the public fast charging stations. These third party apps are usually required for payment or to update you on the status of your EV’s charge.
As technology advances, newer makes and models of EVs do not have traditional keys. Manufacturers like Tesla do not produce any key fobs for their vehicles and drivers can enter their vehicle with a keycard and smartphone app. Some EVs even use proximity sensors to lock and unlock the vehicle. There are still a few older EV models that still use keys and key fobs.
Unlike an internal combustion engine an EV does not have a starter. When you turn on an EV there is no starter noise. Depending on the make and model you may have an indicator on the digital dashboard or the touchpanel. Please make sure to read your owner’s manual for more information on starting your EV for the first time.
One thing you will notice your first time in an EV is that the vehicle does not “creep” when you ease your foot off the brakes. An internal combustion engine is constantly running and burning fuel, so when you have the vehicle in drive, it will “creep” forward without pressing the gas pedal. The electric motor in an EV will only use energy once you ease your foot on the pedal. Certain models of EVs will have the option to enable creep mode to offer a familiar driving experience.
Regenerative braking is not as confusing as it sounds. Regenerative braking is the method of using “wasted” energy from slowing down and converting it to the battery. When you slow down your vehicle, the friction from the brake pads create kinetic energy which is usually absorbed in the atmosphere. Most newer gas powered vehicles have regenerative braking systems and are used for various systems in a vehicle. Technology advancements with EVs have improved regenerative braking systems and certain makes and models can capture about 70% of the kinetic energy from braking.

Fleet Services

Traditional vehicle financing solutions use credit scores, whereas we use user-permissioned alternative data sources so that the customer is always in control of their data. Instead of requiring large deposits upfront, EVInstaFleet uses a pay-per-mile subscription model, charging customers a base monthly fee plus a fee per mile driven.

We do not run any credit checks, but we do require a standard background check through our third party provider. Our EV specialists will be more than happy to walk you through your application.
The Mileage Purchase Agreement (MPA) is a first-of-its-kind financial product that makes electric vehicles more affordable by reducing the upfront cost and charging a fee per mile of use. The MPA removes the biggest barrier of electric vehicle adoption, the cost!
If you drive under the minimum mileage, then we will charge the minimum mileage price specified in the agreement. Our EVInstafleet program is designed for high mileage fleets, so the more miles you drive, the better the price.

If you would like to partner with us, please fill out this form HERE and one of our EV specialists will work with you each step of the way through the application process.

In order to partner with us, we require Fleet Managers to purchase their own commercial insurance plans. We currently do not offer our own commercial insurance plan.
Our Fleet Manager partners are responsible for general maintenance such as tires, brakes, wiper fluid, and car washes. Any other major maintenance is handled by SpringFreeEV.
Depending on the make and model of your EV the recommended maintenance schedule can vary. Unlike ICE vehicles EVs do not require twice a year servicing. In fact most EVs only require servicing every 2 years.

We recommend that you do your due diligence on the make and model of vehicles in your fleet to understand the basics of your fleet and the needs specific to your EVs. In general there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • Air Filters – Although an EV does not require air filters for any of the engine components, every make and model requires cabin air filters. These filters are to prevent debris from entering the cabin through the AC/Heater vents. They typically only need to be replaced once a year.
  • Tires – Not only does the increased weight from the EV battery mean longer braking distances, but also the high instant torque of the electric powertrain means more tire wear too. EV tires can wear out fast! Fortunately, tire retailers are upgrading the rubber in their tires to withstand heavier weight and higher torque. We advise tires should be rotated every 6,2500 miles to be safe. When the tire tread is less than 1/16 of an inch thick, make sure to replace them immediately.
  • Windshield wipers and wiper fluid – Most auto body shops can assist with this, even traditional repair shops. Windshield wipers and wiper fluid will be specific to your vehicle make and model so make sure to check your owner manual to confirm details.
  • Brakes – Most electric vehicles utilize regenerative braking which is a way of running the motor in reverse and absorbing some of the energy back into the battery for preserving your range. Nonetheless, you will need to check your brake pads for normal wear but most EVs will average 100,000 miles before replacing the pads.
  • Over-the-air (OTA) software updates – Many electric cars have the benefit of a robust computer system capable of receiving OTA software updates. Check your owners manual or connected car app for details. It is best to have the EV connected to Wifi when making an OTA update.
You can use your home, business, or public charging stations to charge your fleet. As your fleet grows, we will help you with charging solutions.
As soon as we’re able to get the background check processed you could see your first EV in just a few weeks after placing your vehicle order depending on availability. Once you are approved our EV specialists will make sure to help you receive your first EVInstafleet!
Our Fleet Manager Portal is your one stop shop for ordering more EVs for your fleet. You can also always reach out to one of our helpful EV specialists to place your order.
Our EVInstaFleet can not be used as a personal vehicle. In order to be covered by your commercial insurance plan, you can not be using the vehicle for personal use.

All we require is a $1500-$2000 refundable security deposit and a $250 procurement fee per vehicle delivery. We currently accept ACH and EFT payments.

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