The mere mention of electric vehicles (EV) still makes visions of overpriced glorified golf carts dance in the heads of many drivers. But take a look at the more affordable, sportier electric cars coming out today, like the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt, Mini E and Mitsubishi I; anyone can see the times, they are a changing.

When people get behind the wheel of these cars, with their quick pick up and silent ride, they more often than not walk away as bona fide electric vehicle enthusiasts. Running out of juice and “range anxiety” is one of the biggest challenges to drivers ending their love/hate (love to drive/hate to pay for gas) relationship with traditional gasoline cars.

For potential EV owners From Dallas to Houston, NRG Energy and the eVgo network seem to be turning range anxiety into range confidence. “Electric vehicle ownership should be fun, affordable and convenient, with drivers having complete confidence that a fast charger is never more than a few miles away,” says Arun Banskota, president of NRG’s EV Services division.

The most expensive eVgo plan offers unlimited electricity for $89 a month via a home charger installed with no upfront cost, plus unlimited access to the public eVgo network being installed throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex at area Walgreen’s, Best Buy, H-E-B grocery stores and other retail locations. In addition to fixed fuel cost, EVs offer lower maintenance costs, with no oil to change and no transmission or exhaust system to replace.

Visiting an eVgo Freedom Station can add 30 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes, while the home charger, designed to charge overnight can add 25 miles of range to an EV in one hour. NRG plans to install 70 Freedom Stations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and 50 in Houston by the end of 2012. Each EV that hits the road means spending a bit less of the more than a billion dollars a day we now spend for imported oil.

For more information on the eVgo Electric Charging station visit EvgoNetwork.com.