The original article can be obtained here.

HOUSTON – Gas prices jumped about 4 cents this week. They’re still pretty low, but everyone knows how quickly that can change.

Automakers aren’t slowing down when it comes to building new hybrid and electric cars. Soon, consumers will be seeing new models that can travel as much 200 miles between charging. These new cars will also be a lot more affordable.

Eric Rowland is all about efficiency and sustainability, which is why he bought a hybrid vehicle years ago.

“At first, I thought of electric cars as just being economical and sort of glorified golf carts, and this one has certainly got it out of that range,” Rowland said.

But now Rowland has ditched his hybrid and gone all electric. His high-performance Tesla is a six-figure investment, justified in part, by the lower maintenance costs.

“The other big savings with a pure electric car, you don’t have oil changes. You don’t have radiator flushes. You do have to check your brake pads, but the maintenance, in the long run, is significantly reduced,” he said.

Angie Hicks, from Angie’s List, said the savings get better when you factor in possible government tax credits that can add up to $7,500.

“When buying your electric or hybrid car, be sure to check with the dealer about local tax credits or federal tax credits that may be available for you,” Hicks said.

While many can’t afford a luxury vehicle, both Tesla and Chevrolet are promising new electric vehicles in the $30,000 range in the coming months, about the average price of a new gas-powered car. These cars should double the current range of most electric vehicles, which is about 80 to 100 miles between charging.

Before deciding to pull the plug on a gas guzzler, make sure to have the right hardware at home.

“You want to make sure you have the proper outlet at your home or outside your garage so you can charge it. A lot of times people will use a 120-volt outlet, but you really would want a 240-volt. It’s going to take less time to charge your car,” Hicks said.

People will also want to research public charging stations around town. The city of Houston has an electric vehicle website that people can search by address. KPRC 2 found some located in city parks and several H-E-B stores have them in their parking lots.

Rowland said he hasn’t changed his driving habits much. He just plans ahead for longer trips.

“At this point, I’d be really hard pressed to see going back to using a gas car. I just haven’t had any need,” he said.

Home electric bills are going to jump with an electric car, but ask utility providers if they have a discounted rate for off-peak hours and do the charging overnight.

The original article can be obtained here.

Tesla Motors Inc is set to unveil the Model 3, its long-anticipated pitch to middle-class drivers and a key component in founder Elon Musk’s vision to mainstream the electric car. Tesla, until now a purveyor of luxurious all-electric cars with equally luxurious price-tags, plans to sell the Model 3 for us$35,000, half the base price of the flagship Model S.

The Model 3 is scheduled to be unveiled at Tesla’s Design Studio in Hawthorne, California, on Thursday.

Now only putting out 50,000 cars a year, Tesla plans to use the Model 3 to turn itself into a mainstream automaker selling 500,000 electrics annually by 2020.

Analysts said the new car is critical to Tesla at a time when cheap gasoline is challenging all “green” cars, and as rival General Motors Co stakes its claim on the electric vehicle middle market with its new Chevrolet Bolt.

“The Model 3 is really the measure if Tesla is going to make it long-term as a car company,” said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst at the auto industry Web site Edmunds.com. “If they want to bring the EV to the mass market they need the Model 3 to be successful.”

The Model 3 would be about 20 percent shorter than the S, placing it in the same segment as the Audi A4. It would also have four-wheel drive, according to people close to the matter.

The car is expected to be able to travel up to 500km without being recharged, depending on the battery system chosen, and would include modern safety systems, such as autopilot.

The first Model 3s are to be delivered by the end of next year in the US, and 2018 in Europe. Consumers can pre-order the vehicles starting on Thursday for a deposit of US$1,000.

Tesla faces direct competition from the soon to be released 200km range Chevrolet Bolt, which would have a one-year head start on the Model 3 in getting the attention of consumers looking for a moderately priced electric-vehicle.

“There is a cachet and a brand image at Tesla,” Chevrolet electrification division product marketing manager Darin Gesse said, adding “we also know Chevrolet has a brand image. We have shown that our customers have been the most happy in the country. Our battery is solid. We have confidence.”

Cheap gasoline is also a challenge, as more consumers opt for SUVs and other large vehicles.

Last month, only about three percent of the 1.3 million cars sold in the US were “green” cars, according to data from hybridcars.com.

“Gas prices are still down,” Caldwell said. “I think you will get the Tesla fans, but you may not have a massive mainstream market.”