Should You Buy a Gas or Electric Vehicle? What Mississippi Drivers Should Know | William Wells Tire & Auto

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, there’s one big question that always comes up:
Should you buy a gas-powered car, go electric, or choose a hybrid?

At William Wells Tire & Auto, with locations in Starkville, Columbus, and West Point, we don’t sell cars—we keep them running. That means we help our customers make smart, practical decisions based on real-world Mississippi driving—not national hype.

From long country roads to city commutes, from hot summers to muddy backroads—your vehicle needs to handle your life. Here's what you should know before you decide on your next ride.

The EV Surge: Is Electric a Good Fit for Mississippi?

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer several benefits:

• No gas or oil changes
  
  
• Fewer moving parts, which means fewer repairs
  
  
• Instant acceleration and smooth, quiet rides
  
  
• Lower fuel costs when charging at home
  
  
• Federal tax incentives (up to $7,500 for some models)
  
  

But there are some major trade-offs Mississippi drivers should consider:

• Charging infrastructure is still limited, especially outside of major metro areas
  
  
• EV range can drop in extreme heat or cold
  
  
• High-voltage battery repairs are expensive and require specialty tools
  
  
• Home charging is essential—public chargers are still scarce in Starkville, Columbus, and West Point
  
  

If you have a home charger, a short daily commute, and mostly stay local, an EV could work for you. But if you regularly take long trips, haul equipment, or rely on fast fueling, you may want to look at other options.

Gas-Powered Vehicles: Reliable, Flexible, and Easy to Maintain

Gas-powered cars and trucks remain the best all-around choice for most drivers in Mississippi.

Here’s why:

• Affordable to buy (especially used)
  
  
• Fueling is fast and everywhere—even in rural counties
  
  
• Repairs are quick and inexpensive, with readily available parts
  
  
• Best option for towing, hauling, and longer road trips
  
  
• Gas vehicles are easy to service at all three William Wells Tire & Auto locations
  
  

We’ve been helping Mississippi drivers keep their vehicles running strong for years. Our shops are equipped to service gas engines, brake systems, suspensions, drivetrains, and more—from everyday sedans to heavy-duty pickups.

If you're looking for simple, affordable, proven reliability—gas still gets the job done.

Hybrids and Plug-In Hybrids: A Good Middle Ground

Want better fuel economy without giving up range or convenience? Hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) offer a practical solution for Mississippi drivers.

Hybrids:

• Use a gas engine plus an electric motor
  
  
• Great MPG, especially in city driving
  
  
• No need to plug in
  
  
• Ideal for mixed-use driving
  
  

Plug-in Hybrids:

• Drive short distances on electric alone
  
  
• Switch to gas automatically when needed
  
  
• Require occasional charging for best results—but not mandatory
  
  

Hybrids are less dependent on charging infrastructure and perform well on both city streets and rural highways. At William Wells Tire & Auto, our technicians are trained to diagnose and maintain hybrid systems, including:

• Battery health checks
  
  
• Regenerative braking systems
  
  
• Cooling and inverter servicing
  
  
• Engine and hybrid synchronization
  
  

If you’re not ready to go full electric—but want to save at the pump—a hybrid may be the smart middle ground.

Cost Breakdown: What Will You Really Spend?

Electric Vehicles (EVs):

• More expensive to buy up front
  
  
• Lower fuel and routine maintenance costs
  
  
• Charging can be inconvenient in rural areas
  
  
• Expensive battery replacements if not maintained properly
  
  

Gas Vehicles:

• Lowest cost to buy
  
  
• Higher fuel prices over time
  
  
• Easier to repair and resell
  
  
• Best suited for high mileage and long trips
  
  

Hybrids:

• Higher upfront cost than gas, but lower than EVs
  
  
• Excellent gas mileage
  
  
• Moderate maintenance costs
  
  
• No need to rely on public charging
  
  

When you factor in your driving habits, fuel access, service availability, and total cost of ownership, gas or hybrid vehicles tend to come out ahead for most Mississippi drivers—especially if you live outside of major cities.

What About Charging Infrastructure in Mississippi?

Public EV chargers are slowly being added in parts of the state, but they’re still inconsistent in Starkville, Columbus, and West Point. Most drivers will need to:

• Charge at home overnight, or
  
  
• Drive 30+ minutes to access a Level 2 or DC fast charger
  
  

For most local drivers—especially those who work, farm, or travel outside town regularly—this alone makes gas or hybrid a better option right now.

Honest Advice from William Wells Tire & Auto

We believe in real-world answers, not sales pitches. We work on every kind of vehicle, and we’ve seen how each one holds up over time.

Here’s our local recommendation:

• Go EV if you’re local, have access to a home charger, and want long-term fuel savings
  
  
• Go hybrid if you want fuel efficiency and flexibility without worrying about charging
  
  
• Go gas if you want the best value, range, simplicity, and confidence on any road in Mississippi
  
  

No matter what you drive—we’ll keep it reliable, efficient, and road-ready.

Need Help Deciding or Inspecting a New Car?

We offer:

• Pre-purchase inspections for gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles
  
  
• Hybrid battery health checks and system diagnostics
  
  
• Full-service maintenance for all makes and models
  
  
• Honest guidance based on local experience
  
  

Call one of our three locations today:

Starkville
12919 MS-182 | (662) 268-4081

Columbus
1625 Gardner Blvd | (662) 240-2414

West Point
93 W Broad St | (662) 495-8558

Or visit us online at
williamwellstireandautorepair.com

William Wells Tire & Auto – Trusted Service for Mississippi Roads.



For more information please watch the video

https://youtu.be/HaVMhA4cmk0