Gas prices in California range from moderate to terrible. What you pay is so dependent on a variety of factors that it may be difficult to set those expenses from one year to the next. Electric or hybrid cars have been an option for years, but many business owners worry that they won’t have the versatility offered by a gas-powered machine. The industry is changing a lot each year, so it’s important to keep tabs on what’s coming. Here are a few ways you can determine if an electric vehicle would be a good choice for your contracting business.

You Have a Limited Region for Services
Years ago, electric cars had a very limited range. Now, there are several electric vehicles that can last for 200-300 miles between charges. The major difference for planning out the daily use of your contracting business is the access to energy sources. If you find that you regularly need to drive 100 to 200 miles or more to a job site, you would need to locate a nearby charging station or consider a different vehicle.

You Can Install or Find Charging Stations
One of the major concerns about electric vehicles is the ability to charge it. You can’t simply go home and plug it into the wall. This means that you will need to either install a charging station at home or your place of business, or find charging stations in the area. Charging stations are becoming more common. And while the cost to charge may be competitive or even cheaper than what you would pay for gas, you can’t fill up the battery in five minutes. If you have the ability to spend about $1,000 on a charging station, you’re more likely to be able to manage this limitation.

Your Vehicle Limitations Are Lower
A lot of people have preferences for a specific make and model of vehicle that they like. Being committed to buying cars through one or two specific manufacturers may dramatically limit the options you have for electric vehicles. This is changing over time, and what is available now may be a small portion of what will be available five years from now. But if you are less worried about who is making the vehicle that you buy, you’ll have greater choice. This is also true for contractors who don’t necessarily need to work out of their vehicles, using them more for commuting to and from the job site.

You’re Willing to Take a Chance on New Products
The thing about new technology is that it can be relatively unpredictable. The idea of buying an electric vehicle the year that it comes out for the first time takes some courage. You have to be willing to deal with some minor design flaws and other issues that come up before manufacturers have a chance to test out the product on a much larger scale. But if you’re an early adopter of technology in general, this may not be a problem. Getting a head start on new technology may help you save money or make your job easier. If you know that you are often excited about the next big thing, then buying a brand-new model may present a reasonable investment.

Your Vehicle Maintenance Obligations Are Too High
Spending money on vehicle maintenance is part of the job description for a lot of contracting business owners. When it comes to electric vehicles, costs could be lower in most cases. Electric cars do not need things like oil changes, which can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. You may have a harder time finding a mechanic who has lots of experience servicing electric vehicles, but the difference in equipment may also lead to fewer repair needs. If you find that your vehicles are constantly in the shop for one reason or another, buying electric might be a way to circumvent at least some of it.

Buying a new vehicle for your business takes some serious research. If you are a good candidate, electric vehicles could help you cut costs and save your profits. To find out more about building your contracting business career, contact CSLS today!