Oxford's Eve Mullen Transitions to EV

By Sara Vinson, Sustainable Newton Co-Founder & Secretary

This year, we're highlighting Newton County residents who have used Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and rebates to increase household energy efficiency and transition to clean energy. These individuals and families are our Sustainable Stars.

​Our first Sustainable Star is Eve Mullen. Eve is an associate professor of religion at Oxford College of Emory University. Since completing a home energy audit in 2023, Eve and her husband, Florian Pohl, who joined the Sustainable Newton board this year, have been taking steps to make their home more energy efficient. In December 2024, Eve took advantage of the IRA’s $7,500 new-EV rebate, to purchase her first electric vehicle, a Chevy Equinox, from Ginn Chevrolet in Covington. We asked Eve some questions about making the leap to an EV.

What made you decide to purchase an electric vehicle?
I had been looking at EVs for some time. It's an environmentally friendly way to get around, and my family wanted to do our part by cutting emissions.

​How did the Inflation Reduction Act incentives influence your decision?

The tax credit made it an easy decision for us. At the time of purchase dealerships can directly lower the EV's price for the customer as a “point of sale rebate.” There was no difficult paperwork at all, and the savings were considerable. 

Were there any challenges or surprises you encountered while transitioning to an EV?
The EV is very quiet, which was a pleasant surprise. And the option for one-pedal driving, in which regenerative braking helps replenish battery power, is fantastic. I thought that driving mode would be a challenge, but after a few minutes of cruising around town I found it was simple and effortless. 

The Equinox EV has an 85 kWh battery that can provide about 310 miles of range. Plugging in at home is convenient, and every morning we have a "full tank," so to speak. ​​

What features of your EV do you like the most?
The Equinox EV has an 85 kWh battery that can provide about 310 miles of range. Plugging in at home is convenient, and every morning we have a "full tank," so to speak. Car maintenance is simple and inexpensive. It also has DC fast-charging abilities, which is great when you're on a long road trip. The safety features are impressive, too. My parents-in-law recently visited us and were impressed by the number of airbags for both the front and rear seats. I feel safe in the car. My very favorite features in cold weather, though, are the remote start and heated seats! 

What advice would you give to others considering an EV?
I would encourage anyone to consider an EV. Test drive various EVs, keeping in mind your driving habits on a day-to-day basis, and make sure your choice fits your needs. Educate yourself, especially on battery economy. Be aware that EV efficiency is spoken of differently than that of gas vehicles. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles is the most common measure. Shop in an informed manner, and enjoy your test drive.

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Which Car's Right for You?

Choosing the right vehicle for you and your family -- be is a battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or traditional hybrid -- depends greatly on your personal driving pattern and where you live.  The US Department of Energy offers an array of useful tools on their Alternative Fuels Data Center website to help you compare the total cost of ownership and tailpipe emissions for various various vehicle makes and models.

This Vehicle Cost Calculator lets you see and compare data on up to eight different vehicles based on your personal driving patterns.

For the greatest convenience and lowest cost, you can't beat a 240V home charger like Eve and Florian installed. 

​But, if you rent or just don't have a place to put a charger at home, Covington, Oxford, and the surrounding community have plenty of public EV chargers for you to use.