GUILDERLAND — Compared to gas-powered vehicles, electric cars on the road are few and far between, but there are probably more than you might think.

Nationwide, electric car sales nearly doubled from 53,000 units sold in 2012 to 96,000 in 2013, and that number seems likely to increase in 2014; more models of electric cars are being produced.

In the Capital District, there are 31 charging stations for electric cars. In Guilderland, there is a charging station outside of Vent Fitness in Hamilton Square. In Slingerlands, there is one near Price Chopper.

Dave Sickler, 63, who was charging his cayenne red 2012 Nissan Leaf outside of Vent Fitness last Friday, said that charging stations have no cost. ChargePoint, the world’s largest and most open EV charging network, sent Sickler an application on his smartphone, and when he scans the phone at a charging station, it unlocks for free.

“I don’t know how long that will last,” said Sickler, who lives in McKownville. “If there are enough of these around, they are going to start charging for electricity.”

Buying his Nissan Leaf used for $24,000 last January, Sickler told The Enterprise that the car can drive 70 miles before having to be recharged. Usually, he doesn’t run the charge below two-thirds, so two hours is his conservative estimate of charging time.

The Nissan Leaf is available in 35 countries as the world’s top selling electric car. The Leaf was released in the United States and Japan in December 2010; by July 2014, 125,000 had been sold.

“I didn’t want to pay for gas, and I wanted to help the environment,” said Sickler of his zero- emissions vehicle. “I’m not putting exhaust into the atmosphere like all these other cars. It’s a little part, I understand…”

Buying an electric car is similar to voting in a political election. Your vote counts, but on a small scale.

Electric cars don’t need oil changes or tune-ups, and don’t have exhaust systems. Also, there is no radiator, and only a few hoses and belts under the hood.

“You don’t have all that maintenance to worry about,” said Sickler. “You eliminate almost everything except tires and brakes.”

The average American driver spends $5,000 per year on gasoline and car maintenance, but Sickler has already saved thousands of dollars since buying his Leaf. Why don’t more people own an electric car?

“The range,” Sickler said. “I could probably take this car down to Florida, but I would have to stop and charge a lot on the way.”

Sickler is retired after working for the state for 20-some years, so he has plenty of free time, but he can understand how busier people might become annoyed with having to frequently plug their cars into a socket. And wait.

“People think that they won’t be able to take a long trips,” said Sickler, mentioning that the Leaf’s navigation system tells the driver where the nearest charging stations are located. “I like bullshitting with people along the way; it’s a conversation starter. Sometimes, you meet cool people.”

Recently, Sickler spotted a blue Nissan Leaf. “Sure enough, the girl came my way, rolled down her window, and smiled,” he said. “She asked how I liked the car, and I said that I liked it a lot.”

“Leaf people talk to each other,” Sickler added. He said he was able to reconnect with an old friend because he also drove a Leaf; they started talking about their cars.

Driving an electric car seems like a brainy choice, but Sickler says that the battery, which would cost $5,500 to replace, is the weak link. His battery is guaranteed for six more years, but degradation will eventually diminish its life. Electric car batteries are designed to give power over limited periods of time, unlike regular car batteries.

A Tesla Model S electric car can go 300 miles before a re-charge, but it costs $70,000.

Even though charging stations are in strange places, Sickler said, he relies on charging up while he’s out and about because charging at home could considerably jack up his electric bill. “It uses about 1200 watts,” he said. “That’s more than a coffee pot.”

Sickler got into his Leaf and drove away, but there was no rev of an engine. His electric car was as quiet as a mouse.