Oh, What fun it is to drive…an EV home for the holidays!
By Ashley Lynn Qua, Policy Lead for the New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association
As EV drivers pull up to holiday gatherings this winter, many of us know exactly what comes next. Someone at the door or around the dinner table will spot the charging port or the quiet start-up and say something like, “So tell me about that car of yours.” The question may come from curiosity, concern, or a desire to understand something that still feels new.
These conversations can be meaningful. They let us share what daily EV life is actually like and help friends and family sort out fact from myth. More importantly, they can be moments of connection, because at the end of the day, people trust someone they know far more than any advertisement or article.
Here are five questions you may hear this season and ways to respond with openness, clarity, and warmth.
1. “Can you even drive an EV far in the snow?”
This question often comes with real worry behind it. Winter affects every vehicle in some way, and EVs are no exception. Cold weather can reduce efficiency, so many drivers simply plan a little extra buffer on longer trips. EVs themselves remain very capable in snowy conditions, especially as more are equipped with AWD options, excellent traction control, and instant torque.
It can help to mention features like ‘Utility Mode,’ a feature in some EVs models that allows the driver to use the cabin climate control and essential electronics while parked without turning on the drive motor. It is a reassuring feature during storms or power outages, and many EV owners appreciate having that steady, reliable option in winter.
The goal is not to dismiss their concern, but to share the practical reality: winter driving in an EV is absolutely doable with a bit of planning and the right tools.
2. “Do you get stuck waiting for hours to charge?”
A lot of people picture EV owners sitting next to a charger, trapped for hours in a freezing car and checking the clock. The real day-to-day experience is very different. Most EV drivers charge at home, overnight and start the morning with a full battery, which means charging is a seamless part of daily life.
Holiday travel is the one time of year when public fast charging becomes more common, and it is fair to acknowledge that popular stations on major corridors can experience queues when everyone is on the road at once. It's important to discuss your own experiences, but ordinarily most charging stops feel more like a quick break than a long wait. You stretch, use the restroom, grab a snack, and by the time you settle back into the car, you are ready to go.
If you are staying with family for a few days, plugging into a simple garage or outdoor outlet can add helpful mileage over time and help those around you see how low effort it is to charge. Those small top-ups are often all you need to stay comfortable for local trips.
By explaining the rhythm of EV charging, you help people understand that it fits naturally into everyday life rather than dominating it.
3. “What happens if your battery dies?”
This one usually comes from a mental image of an EV stopping suddenly with no warning. It helps to reassure people that EVs do not behave that way. Running out of charge is similar to running out of gas, and EVs give multiple alerts long before things get close to empty. Most navigation systems will even guide you to the nearest charger when your battery gets low.
Sharing your own experience of how predictable and transparent the range information is can go a long way toward easing this worry.
4. “Aren’t EVs worse for the environment because of the battery?”
This question has become more common and usually comes from a thoughtful place. People want to be sure that the environmental benefits are real. It helps to speak to the full lifecycle of the battery. The lifespan of EV batteries is often 10 to 15 years, or more. When they eventually reach a point where they are not ideal for long-distance travel, they do not become waste. Instead, they are frequently repurposed for stationary energy storage that supports homes, businesses, and the electric grid. After their second life, they enter recycling systems designed to recover valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. These materials are then used again, reducing the need for new mining and preventing batteries from ending up in landfills.
Framing the conversation around the entire lifespan helps people see a more complete picture than the headlines usually provide.
5. “Do EVs really save money?”
Money questions matter, especially around the holidays. EVs have no oil changes and far fewer mechanical components overall. With about one third the moving parts of a gasoline vehicle, routine maintenance needs are generally much lower and equate to meaningful savings. Electricity also costs less per mile than gasoline, especially when drivers charge at home.
While operations and maintenance are cost effective, it is important to be honest about the full cost picture. New Jersey has an annual EV registration fee of roughly $260/year. Being open about this helps friends and family trust your perspective even more. Whether an EV saves money overall depends on individual driving habits, charging access, and how long someone keeps their vehicle, but many drivers experience real savings over time.
Telling your story and why you made the switch is the most impactful thing you can do.
Closing Thought
When people ask about your EV, it is usually because they trust you and value your experience. Meeting their questions with patience and authenticity helps them understand not just the technology, but what it feels like to live with it. These conversations, shared over a meal or while brushing snow off the hood, can do more to advance EV awareness than any policy or promotional campaign could.
Looking for more EV facts before the holiday rush? Visit www.myeva.org/ev-facts