In the past decade, the market for electric vehicles (EVs) has grown. And with recent talks of climate change, fluctuating gas prices, tax incentives, and major manufacturers switching to sole EV production, there’s no doubt that EVs are a hot topic right now. But how much do you actually know about them? Test your knowledge with this quiz. Once you’ve decided on your answers, keep scrolling to see how you did, and learn more about how EVs are impacting the automotive world.

Questions:

1. When was the first EV invented?
   1. 18^th century
   2. 19^th century
   3. 20^th century
   4. 21^st century
2. Which company is the largest EV manufacturer?
   1. Tesla
   2. General Motors
   3. Lucid Motors
   4. Ford
3. With the average charger, how many miles can an EV drive with just one hour of charging?
   1. 10 miles
   2. 25 miles
   3. 50 miles
   4. 75 miles
4. About how much does it cost per mile to charge an EV, on average?
   1. Four cents
   2. 25 cents
   3. Two dollars
   4. Five dollars
5. On average, how much does an EV cost?
   1. $30,000-$40,000
   2. $50,000-$60,000
   3. $80,000-$90,000
   4. $100,000-$150,000
6. Which has more parts — an EV or a gas car?
   1. Gas car
   2. EV
7. Which is heavier — an EV or a gas car?
   1. Gas car
   2. EV
8. What percentage of Americans own an EV currently?
   1. 1%
   2. 4%
   3. 10%
   4. 32%
9. What material is not used to make EV batteries?
   1. Manganese
   2. Cobalt
   3. Nickle
   4. Neon
10. Which U.S. state has the most EVs?
    1. Texas
    2. Florida
    3. California
    4. Ohio

Answers:

1. B. 19^th Century

The first EV was invented sometime in the 19^th century. Several different models were developed around this time so there is speculation as to who is the official inventor of the EV.

2. A. Tesla

As of 2023, Tesla is the largest EV manufacturer. Li Auto, a Chinese EV manufacturer is second, and Lucid Motors is number three. As more manufacturers begin to produce EVs, only time will tell where Tesla will fall on this list.

3. B. 25 miles

There are three types of EV charging levels: Level one, level two, and level three (or DC Fast Charging). Each of these use different connectors and levels of voltage. Level ones are typically used for charging at home, while levels two and three are usually found at public charging stations. Each level will take a different amount of time to fully charge an EV.

4. A. Four Cents

It costs around 4 cents a mile to charge a Tesla, versus costing over 10 cents a mile to fuel most gas cars. On average, it costs $15.52 to charge a Tesla with level one or two charging. It can cost up to $26.00 to charge a Tesla with a level three charger. With fluctuating and unpredictable gas prices, these numbers are a game-changer for EV owners.

5. B. $50,000-$60,000

Though fuel costs are lower, retail prices for EVs still tend to be more expensive than regular cars, making it less of a great deal for the average driver upfront.

6. A. Gas Car

Without an engine, an EV has far fewer parts than a gas car. This means that while gas cars need regular check-ups and oil changes, EVs typically require less maintenance.

7. B. EV

EVs are heavier than gas-powered vehicles. That’s because their batteries are heavier than gas car engines.

8. B. 4%

According to recent data, only 4% of Americans own an EV currently. According to the same study, 12% are seriously considering buying an EV, 43% might consider buying one in the future, and 41% say they would not buy an EV at all.

9. D. Neon

EV batteries are made of lithium, manganese, cobalt, and nickel. These minerals are mostly found outside of the U.S.

10. C. California

California has the most EV and hybrid vehicles per 100,000 people. The top ten in order are: California, Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Hawaii, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Arizona, Virginia.

Whether you’re passionate about all things automotive, or new to the industry, it’s important to stay up to date on trends and know your options when purchasing a vehicle. And whether you’re pro-EV or not, there’s a place for you at Reynolds. Visit our careers page to learn more.