If you ask a mechanic what their dream vehicle is, one might expect a flashy and luxurious choice.
Vehicles like McLarens or Lamborghinis, far out of the average person’s price range, immediately come to mind. When given a limitless budget in a hypothetical situation, it’s natural to expect that a person would choose a car that’s not realistic for the common person.
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But for this mechanic, the answer is much simpler. His dream car is not only relatively fairly priced, but it is also an EV. He is a champion of electric vehicles because these cars promote clean energy, require little maintenance and are a step in the right direction for the conservation of our planet.
Tesla Model S Plaid
“My dream car would be the Tesla Model S Plaid,” said William Symons, a mechanic with over 20 years in the automotive industry. “It is $87,000 and used to be $120,000.”
What separates the Plaid model from the base model S and other cars in Tesla’s fleet is its performance power.
The Plaid was built by Tesla’s team with the intention to compete with luxury sports cars. Not only is it fast, the interior maintains a race car feel, with its steering wheel reminiscent of those of F1 vehicles.
“It’s one of the fastest cars on the road right now,” Symons said.
The Plaid, according to Tesla’s website, has the quickest acceleration of any vehicle in production. It goes 0-60 miles per hour in roughly two seconds and has 1,060 horsepower.
Additionally, it maintains the sleek and smooth trademark styling of all Tesla cars. For a decently-priced luxury car with both speed and style, the Model S Plaid is an ideal option for Symons and others who priotize energy conservation.
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Low Maintenance Costs
The overall yearly costs of an EV remain low due to the vehicle’s composition. The Model S Plaid is no different.
“There’s almost nothing for maintenance,” Symons said. “There are no brakes to change and no air filters to change. You change the AC cabin every couple of years, and that is the only maintenance.”
Routine inspections are necessary, but are less commonly undergone when the engine is electric, not gas-powered. Yearly maintenance costs for gas-powered vehicles can reach over $1,000 per year. For a luxury sports car, one can anticipate spending even more money on upkeep.
On the other hand, one can expect to spend $300-$600 a year on maintenance costs for the Model S Plaid. Some years, Symons said, you may even pay less than that.
High maintenance costs are one of the biggest problems that car owners encounter, and with the Model S Plaid, that problem becomes nearly insignificant.
Go Green
Promoting clean energy is one of Symons’s primary passions as a mechanic who has worked with electric vehicles for over 10 years.
“We’re killing our environment every day,” said Symons, “Everyone should go electric.”
Inevitably, cutting carbon emissions and reducing gas and diesel use will lead to a cleaner environment. Compared to gas-powered vehicles, EVs provide significant benefits in regards to emissions.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all-electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. Additionally, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions as long as they operating in all-electric mode.
Another potential benefit to purchasing an EV is that it can help support the U.S. economy due to lower fuel costs, allowing those excess funds to funnel into other spending avenues.
“Using more energy-efficient vehicles, like hybrid and electric vehicles, supports the U.S. economy and helps diversify the U.S. transportation fleet,” wrote the U.S. Department of Energy.
With each passing year, America’s EV charging infrastructure is becoming more and more widespread. Now, one can make a cross-country roadtrip, stopping at charging stations across the country.
Though not a flashy choice, the Tesla Model S Plaid is an electric vehicle that promotes clean energy and helps reduce your carbon footprint.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Mechanic: My Dream Car Is $87,000 — But It’s Worth It
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