Electric Vehicles

Electric powered autos are not a new technology. Although electric vehicles may seem like the latest and greatest invention, in reality the technology has been around for more than a century. In the 1890s, electric cars were more popular than gas-powered autos because of their simplicity, reliability, and low cost of operation. In fact, Henry Ford’s wife drove an EV. For a variety of reasons, EV technology languished with the rise of gas-powered engines, but today, electric vehicles – once again—are charging to the auto transportation forefront. This resurgence is fueled by significant advancements in power electronics and energy storage technologies.

We are most familiar with conventional combustion-engine vehicles, the standard for many years. The market is changing, and it’s hard to keep up with the newest technologies, models, nomenclature and more. For simplicity, this continuum separates the options into four basic types of vehicles. In our listing, the range is from most to least amount of fossil-fuel used in operation.

1. Conventional vehicles have an internal combustion engine; the most common fuels are gasoline and diesel.

2. Hybrid vehicles have both a gasoline engine and an electric motor and battery; both gas and electricity power the wheels. The electric motor and battery are designed to improve fuel economy, so less gasoline is used to operate the vehicle. The battery is charged solely by operating the vehicle; no plug-in is required or possible.

3. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have larger batteries than hybrids and use both gas and electricity to power the wheels of the car. These vehicles vary in their electric range, but shift to gasoline-only operation when battery power is depleted. These vehicles must be plugged in to recharge the battery.

4. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are powered solely by electricity and are recharged by plugging in the vehicle.

It’s hard to compare apples to oranges. While battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may have a higher purchase price, that can be at least partially offset by lower operating costs and incentives for battery-containing vehicles.

Touchstone Energy has calculated the annual energy costs and savings for owning electric vehicles vs. gas-powered vehicles. Assumptions include: driving the vehicle 15,000 miles a year, with 225 days of 50 miles each, and 50 days of 75 miles each. EPA fuel economy numbers and average costs of energy as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Agency were used.

Comparison method 1:

Comparing electric vehicles to a hypothetical gas-powered vehicle that gets 25 mpg; this gas-powered vehicle would cost approximately $1,320 for gas per year. In this comparison:

• A typical BEV would save $730 in annual energy costs per year; electricity costs would be less than half the cost fuel for the gas-powered vehicle.

• A typical PHEV would save $600 per year when combining the cost of gas plus the cost of electricity to operate the vehicle.

Comparison method 2:

Several manufacturers produce both gas and electric versions of the same – or similar – vehicle (Ford has BEV and gas versions of the Focus as well as gas, hybrid and PHEV versions of the Fusion; Hyundai has gas, hybrid and PHEV versions of the Sonata; and Nissan has the Leaf and a somewhat comparable Versa). In comparing the gas vehicles with the electric versions, Touchstone Energy  makes these comparisons of products by the same manufacturer:

• BEVs offer the lowest annual energy costs (running $570 to $600 per year). That is a savings of $370 to $490 over the conventional gas-powered “sibling.”

• PHEVs offer reduced annual energy costs of $600 to $800 per year. That saves $300 to $370 over the conventional gas-powered “sibling.”

Other considerations to add into the calculations:

• Incentives. Click here for a list of  EV Federal Tax Credits.  Some states and cities have additional credits or perks for electric vehicles.

Lower maintenance costs. Most BEVs have much lower maintenance costs, because of the simplicity of the design and components (fewer moving parts, etc.). PHEVs are more complex, with both gas and electric components, but some maintenance costs can be lower. For example, regenerative braking leads to less wear on the brake system.

Are you ready for a change that starts with a charge? Like many people, you may have questions about charging an electric vehicle. We get it. Change can be scary, but it’s also exciting.

You already know the advantages of EV ownership: lower fuel and maintenance costs, environmental benefits and increased driving ranges. Plus, there’s the bragging rights of being an early adaptor.

First things first. What type of charger do you need at home? (By the way, did you know they aren’t actually chargers? A charger is part of the EV, but most people refer to them as chargers. They are technically electric vehicle supply equipment or EVSE. Impress your friends with that term.)

Let’s take a look at the different levels.

Level 1

Level 1 equipment may meet your needs if you don’t drive many miles each day. It’s an economical option because you can use the charging cord included with your car. However, it takes the longest amount of time to charge. If you wanted to add 40 miles of range on a typical EV with this charger, it would take about 10 hours.

Level 2

Level 2 equipment is faster. It does require a device purchase and installation of a 240-volt plug. Prices can range around $500 to almost $2,000 (and those numbers are changing rapidly) depending upon the features you want or need. With a Level 2 you can charge 30 miles in about 90 minutes. So, if time is of the essence for you, this may be an economical option. Most EV owners go this route.

Level 3

Level 3 chargers are typically in public areas because they need larger lines to provide electricity than what normally goes to people’s homes. We’ll talk more about those on page six.

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Once you decide on which equipment is best for you, it’s time for you to think about location.

Is it your garage? For most people, the answer is yes. The site you select will need a 240-volt plug available (or you can have an electrician install it).

If you choose to charge outdoors, you’ll need a specifically-designed charger for outdoor use.

Next, length matters. Measure the distance between where you will park your vehicle from the site of the charger to ensure the proper reach.

Lastly, do you want a hard-wired or plug-in version? If you want to take the charger with you on trips, opt for a plug-in version. It will still require a 240-volt outlet.

A piece of advice: whichever type of charger you select, consult a licensed electrician to avoid any safety hazards and headaches “down the road.”

Range anxiety – it’s real. It’s been noted as one of the top reasons people do not purchase an EV. But, we’ve got a feeling you’ve done your research. You probably recall reading earlier that 80% of charging is done at home. So, with a little planning for road trips – you got this.

Let’s take a look at the number of charging stations available to help ease your anxiety. And remember, the number of chargers is growing at a fast pace.

Get to know the chargers – they are your friend

According to the US Department of Energy, Level 1 charging speed is at two to five miles of range per hour. Obviously, not the best option if you are in a hurry. Or you can charge overnight at many hotels – rest for you and the family during a trip can be a good thing. All EVs are compatible with these chargers.

Level 2 charging speed is at 10 to 20 miles of range per hour. Find one of these at a shopping complex or movie theater and enjoy the family time together. All EVs are compatible with these chargers, and Teslas require an adapter.

DC Level 3 charging is at 60 to 80 miles of range per 20 minutes. Wow. Now, that’s where you can really get a move on. EVs manufactured by Chevrolet, BMW, Kia, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Toyota are compatible with these types of chargers. Tesla uses its own connector for these stations.

Where do you find chargers? They aren’t as elusive as you may think. And, of course, there’s an app for that. With more than 18,000 public chargers in the U.S., you’ll be able to map out a plan in no time.

Which apps are best for locating chargers? That’s a matter of personal preference. Let’s take a look.

PlugShare is one of the most popular apps, as it not only shows chargers around

the world, it also allows users to “check-in.” That will tell you if the charger is

currently occupied. Plus, you can rate and review the charger just like your

do with restaurants on Yelp. It allows you to filter your search by charger type

and has a trip planner tool. Learn more at www.plugshare.com.

• ChargeHub is basically the same as PlugShare, but it gives you the option to pay for charging using the app. It also offers discounts on EV products, savings calculators and lots of EV content. Find our more at www.chargehub.com/en/
   
• Tesla’s app is very advanced. It will show you Superchargers on your route. Other features include luxury components like summoning the car to you, climate control before getting into the car, remote lock, charging progress and more. There’s a reason Tesla is the leader in EVs and their app is no exception. Learn more at www.tesla.com.
   
• You probably already have Google Maps on your smart phone. But, did you know it will also show EV charging stations? You just need to search for them and viola. Find out more at www.google.com/maps.

What about the costs and payment? With so many new and upcoming charging networks out there, it’s best to research which works well for you. As mentioned, some allow you to pay from the app. Some chargers are offered for free as a benefit to customers (such as hotels or supermarkets).

Public charging etiquette: don’t be “that guy.” You know – the one who just wants to “top off” his energy tank even though he doesn’t need it. Here are a few simple rules to follow to be an EV charging role model. Follow these tips and no need to worry about charging karma.

1. Move along! Once you’ve achieved the amount of charge needed, unplug it so that the next driver can use it. Imagine the frustration of when people “reserve” beach chairs for hours and hours without using them – same concept.
    
2. Check in on the app to indicate that charger is in use. This will help your fellow drivers know to move along to the next available charger.
    
3. Only charge when you really need the miles. Again, no one wants to spoil the fun of owning an EV for a fellow driver.
    

1) What are the typical battery warranties?

     a. Automaker warranties vary significantly, but typically cover eight years or 100,000 miles.

2) Will my electric bills increase if I charge at home?

     a. Short answer - yes, and your gasoline bill will go away. Typically, an EV saves about 50% on annual costs to fuel compared with a gas-powered car. Assuming two vehicles are about the same size and driven the same miles, the EV would be about $100 less per month to fuel. So, you’re saving money in a different way.

3) Can I use renewable energy to charge my EV?

     a. If you’re a member of a participating Cooperative Solar co-op, the answer is yes. You may license the number of panel(s) needed to offset your EV charging needs. Find out more at www.cooperativesolar.com. Members may also purchase renewable energy through our envirowatts (at participating co-ops). Visit www.envirowattsky.com.

4) I need help deciding which EV is best for my family. Where can I find unbiased help?

     a. You can visit www.togetherwesaveky.com and use the EV calculator. It compares all makes and models to help you make the right decision. The site is brought to you by your local Touchstone Energy Cooperative and doesn’t have a motive to sell you a certain car. It’s just there to provide the facts – only the facts.

5) What does the future of EV charging look like?

     a. Ah, that’s the big question. Forecasts show that number of EV purchases continue to rise. That indicates the number of public chargers will grow as well. But, remember, most charging is completed at home while you enjoying your family time (or sleeping).