GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- I'm sure there will be many articles in the coming months informing you about all the stats and figures of what an electric car can do to save you money.

This isn't one of those.

This is my take on what it feels like to drive one. I had the opportunity to test drive a Mitsubishi MiEV, the first all-electric car sold in Michigan, from Gezon Motors on Plainfield. Check out the video below and you'll get a layman's perspective and maybe a laugh or two.

Two things everyone asks when you bring up electric cars are: "What do I do if I run out of 'juice' on the road (also known as range anxiety)?" and "How much more money will I owe on my electric bill?"

Here's what I know. The Mitsubishi will switch to "turtle mode" when you get low on power. That kills the radio and other accessories and extends the range. So, if you failed at basic math and have driven too far from home, it will help you get back. But since you know what the range is (around 60 miles, or more in ideal conditions), you should be able to figure out where you can and can't go before "re-fueling."

The car is meant to be a "work and errands car." If you're looking for a long road trip, this isn't the one for you. But if you have what is considered an average commute to and from work, you could feasibly eliminate all gasoline costs for trips to work or the grocery store. Not to mention, you'll eliminate all CO2 emissions as well.

As for your power bill, they say you will get about 100 miles per $3.60 in electricity. Plus, you can lower that cost by charging your car in non-peak times and overnight when the cost of electricity is lower. Basically, when you go to bed at night and you plug in your smartphone, don't forget to plug in your car. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to fully recharge using a charging station (sold separately).

Will electric vehicles ever become mainstream? Good question. It looks like we're going to find out. With the MiEV out now and Nissan Leaf arriving next month, we'll have options when it comes to 100 percent electric vehicles. The MiEV is the most affordable, selling for as low as $23,000 after rebates from the government.

As for the drive, you won't ever mistake one of these for a muscle car. But if you're of a practical mind, the ride makes sense. It isn't slow, but it isn't fast. It corners well. It's eerily quiet.

The most noticeable difference is the lack of gear shifting you feel in the normal acceleration of a combustible engine. But even that wasn't as noticeable after a few minutes of driving. Honestly, it didn't take long to completely forget that I was driving a car you plug in instead of fill up.

I suppose if I owned one, the most obviously difference would be driving by a gas station knowing I'd never have to pull into one again. Unless, I was looking for a snack.

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