Why Express CU
Express specializes in auto lending to low income individuals and families.
We provide customized service;
- To help understand the true cost of owning a vehicle
- To first time buyers
- To help those with past credit history get in a position to be ready to borrow
- To help you find the right EV for yourself or family
Express CU is partnering with Plug in America (PIA) and their EVs for EVERYONE! Initiative. *https://pluginamerica.org/why-go-plug-in/
Benefits to Express CU EV loan program
- EV loan rates at Express are 0.50% lower than our standard new/used auto loan rates! Not only do you save money on gas, maintenance and receive tax incentives for buying an EV, you’ll save money on your financing too! Max financing for EVs is $35,000.
- FREE annual membership to Plug in Americas support hotline to support EV ownership. Approved applicants also have option access to an experienced EV owner as a mentor to assist in car buying process.
- Borrow more with an EV purchase than you would with a gas vehicle purchase. Our EV loans are designed to allow people with lower credit scores or first time buyers access to financing without a large down payment.
- Puget Sound Energy wants to help you understand the costs and benefits of driving an Electric Car. They've created an Electric Car Calculator to help you calculate your savings potential! https://www.pse.com/pages/electric-cars/electric-cars-calculator*
Ready to go Electric
- For existing ECU members login to your online banking and select New Loan App from the menu.
- If not currently ECU member, that’s ok! Apply for the loan first and if you’re approved you’ll become a member.
- Loan department will contact you for income verification.
- Receive a reply within 1-3 business days.
- Pre-Approved applicants will have 60 days to find an EV that works for you.
- Use Plug In America's Car buying tool Plugstar to help find the EV that is right for you.
All pre-approved applicants have option access to an experience EV owner as a mentor to assist in car buying process.
APPLY NOW
Why go electric?
Did you know you can plug in your EV into a regular 110 volt outlet in you home, just as you would your cell phone each night?
Less Hassle
- EVs never require a trip to the gas station or an oil change.
- Your hands will never smell like toxic petrochemicals.
- EVs are powered by an electric motor with a single moving part, the rotor.
- There are a lot fewer things to break down, so maintenance costs are much lower.
NO MORE GAS!
On average the cost of fueling a car with electricity is comparable to paying *$1/gallon for gasoline per the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
Driving 25 miles costs about $3.50 for a gallon of gasoline while it costs only about 60 cents for the equivalent amount of power from electricity.
Energy cost for electric vehicles is roughly one-quarter the cost of gasoline powered cars.
Can’t charge at home? Ways to Charge your EV.
Washington State is a great place for taking an electric vehicle road-trip. The Department of Transportation has been strategically placing many DC Quick Charge stations along the States major highways. Also the City of Seattle has been working hard to make charging stations affordable and accessible throughout the city.
Here are two ways to charge away from home:
- Public charging stations. Here there is no pre-existing customer relationship needed and you can locate stations using EVs GPS or smart phone app. The PlugShare app is a great place to get started when researching charging stations.
- Subscription-based charging networks. This may be the most economical way to charge an EV if you need to charge at a public charger on a regular basis. To obtain the best pricing for regularly charging your EV, you will need to enroll as a member in the network which operates the charging station which you are most likely to use on a regular basis. Examples of these networks are ChargePoint, EVgo, Greenlots and CarCharging (blink).
Breaking myths or misconceptions
You don’t have to be a millionaire to buy an EV. At Express we want to make sure EVERYONE understands the benefits to EV ownership and consider purchasing one when ready to buy a new/used vehicle.
As early adopters sell their EVs for newer models, these vehicles become available for affordable prices. The enjoyment and benefits of driving electric can be had for much less than you think.
With the Express EV Loan Program your total cost of ownership can be less than a gas powered vehicle. The EV loan program includes special benefits and wrap around services for EV owners. Support from qualified experts will help your EV acquisition and ownership successful. With thousands of EVs coming off leases, used EVs are more available and affordable than ever.
Interested in converting to EV ownership but not ready?
Seattle Electric Vehicle Association (Since 1970) holds meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. RSVP to a meeting and talk to EV owners about their experience.
Turo- a private car rental service that may be a good option for a test drive over the weekend to see what it would be like to own an EV. (Use the more filters option to select Green Cars- Electric)
Learn more about EV ownership: *https://plugintothepresent.com/
Better understand health impacts of combustible engine vehicles on your health
By clicking on links below you will leave ECU website. Links are for the convenience of informational purposes. Any products or services access through these links are not provided or guaranteed by ECU.
*People of Color and the Poor Disproportionately Exposed to Air Pollution, Study Finds
*Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollutants
*Hazed and Confused: The Effect of Air Pollution on Dementia
*Something In The Air
Ready to go Electric
- For existing ECU members login to your online banking and select New Loan App from the menu.
- If not currently ECU member, that’s ok! Apply for the loan first and if you’re approved you’ll become a member.
- Loan department will contact you for income verification.
- Receive a reply within 1-3 business days.
- Pre-Approved applicants will have 60 days to find an EV that works for you.
- Use Plug In America's Car buying tool Plugstar to help find the EV that is right for you.
All pre-approved applicants have option access to an experience EV owner as a mentor to assist in car buying process.
APPLY NOW
In partnership with:
EV for EVERYONE initiative.
*Link to external site, please review third party link disclosure
© 2021 Express Credit Union. All Rights Reserved. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. Deposits insured up to $250,000. We conduct business in accordance with Federal fair lending laws.