#381 Do Transmissions Ever Need to be Serviced?; Inflation Reduction Act and EV/Hybrid Tax Credits

Episode description

This week we explain how the Inflation Reduction Act has changed the federal EV tax credit for new EV and plug-in hybrids; how miles per gallon is converted for electric vehicles into MPGe; should anyone really care about how many gears a transmission has; and is it necessary to ever service your car’s transmission?

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SHOW NOTES

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00:00 - Introduction

00:15 - Question 1: Which CR recommended midsize SUV qualifies for the Federal EV tax credit?

06:57 - Question 2: When is it necessary to service a car’s transmission?

10:35 - Question 3: How is the MPGe calculated on EVs and PHEVs?

16:23 - Question 4: Is there any difference regarding the number of gears in a vehicle’s transmission?

20:05 - Question 5: Should the first model year of an all-new or redesign EV be avoided?

25:08 - Question 6: Is the extra cost of a hybrid worth it?

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Which EVs Qualify for the New Electric Vehicle Tax Credit? It’s Complicated.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-that-qualify-for-new-ev-tax-credit-a9310530660/

Electric Cars and Plug-In Hybrids That Qualify for Tax Credits Under the Inflation Reduction Act

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-cars-plug-in-hybrids-that-qualify-for-tax-credits-a7820795671/

EPA Fuel Economy 

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=Cars&vtype=Electric&srchtyp=evSelect&rowLimit=50&sortBy=Comb&year1=2021&year2=2023&range=&drive

With Gas Prices So High, Some Hybrids Pay for Themselves Immediately

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/as-gas-prices-rise-hybrids-make-even-more-sense-a1092610835/

Cars Most Likely to Need a Transmission Replacement and What to Buy Instead

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-repair-maintenance/cars-most-likely-to-need-new-transmission-what-to-buy-instead/

Car Reliability Is Hurt By Some New Technologies

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-is-hurt-by-some-new-technologies-a2638409507/

To Get the Most Reliable New Car, It Pays to Wait

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/to-get-the-most-reliable-new-car-it-pays-to-wait-a1174785565/

Hot, New Electric Cars That Are Coming Soon

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/hot-new-electric-cars-are-coming-soon-a1000197429/

Why Hybrid Vehicles Are a Smart Choice Right Now

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/why-hybrid-vehicles-are-a-smart-choice-right-now-a2736240282/

2022 Toyota Highlander

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/highlander/2022/overview/

Guide to Car Safety

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/

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