Las Vegas Sun | Rochelle Nguyen

I got behind the wheel of an electric vehicle for the first time this year at an event co-hosted by Plug In America and Clark County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability.

I was excited to test out a car that’s so much better for the environment, and one that can save families like mine money at the pump.

When I turned on the car, I couldn’t tell because it was so quiet. The Nissan Leaf that I drove didn’t have many bells and whistles, but the acceleration of an electric motor was impressive, and it handled great. I realized that these vehicles don’t have to be fancy — they can get us where we need to go, but leave behind the smog, the volatile gas prices and the seemingly endless maintenance needs that plague gas-powered cars.

I knew then and there that my family’s next car would be electric. I’m keeping my eye on new minivan models.