Charting the rebirth of the electric car
Fuel savings, tax rebates and special incentives spark renewed interest in plug-in and battery vehicles
Although once widely considered defunct technology, the electric car is a phoenix rising from its own wreckage. Driven by consumer demand for better fuel economy (and access to carpool lanes) as well as loftier goals such as oil independence and curbing climate change, as many as 40 plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) models will be on the market by 2015, and an estimated one million electric cars will be on the road.
The range for today’s BEVs is as much as 120 miles on a single full charge.
Over the next three years, every major automaker will offer a PEV. “You already see plug-in sports cars, an SUV, compacts, hatchbacks, subcompacts and sedans,” noted industry tracker Max Baumhefner of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The proliferation of consumer choice is only going to continue.”
Before choosing a model, consumers must first decide whether to purchase an all-electric vehicle (also known as a Battery Electric Vehicle, or BEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The primary considerations are distance driven each day and access to a gas-powered vehicle for longer-range trips.
The range for today’s BEVs is as much as 120 miles on a single full charge and a growing number of workplaces are offering charging stations, essentially doubling the distance a commuter can drive. PHEVs, on the other hand, are powered by battery and then switch to gasoline-electric hybrid technology, offering travel distances comparable to conventional gasoline vehicles. A two-car family might choose an all-electric car for local trips and a PHEV for longer-distance travel.
Despite higher sticker prices than comparable gasoline vehicles, PEV owners achieve considerable savings over the long haul because of lower fuel and maintenance costs. While a conventional gasoline vehicle costs 17 to 18 cents per mile to operate, an electric vehicle costs approximately three cents per mile. With BEVs there are no oil change expenses, and for both BEVs and PHEVs regenerative braking systems last longer than conventional braking systems, reducing overall maintenance costs.
The federal government also offers a tax rebate of up to $7,500, and some state and local governments offer incentives such as access to carpool lanes and free charging stations. Many dealerships offer additional perks, such as free equipment installation for home charging.
Most PEVs are charged at home via conventional 120-volt plugs, or for quicker charging, 220-volt chargers. Embedded timers enable owners to achieve even greater savings between midnight and 7 a.m., when PG&E offers a residential low-emission vehicle rate that can bring fuel costs as low as the equivalent of $0.50 per gallon.
Outside the home, large employers, commercial garages and business districts have begun offering charging stations. “The number of charging stations is growing dramatically with 3,000 ChargePoint stations in California and 10,000 worldwide,” said Richard Lowenthal of ChargePoint, a charging station technology and service plan provider.
A PEV driver himself, Lowenthal reckons that it’s the driving experience that has brought about the rebirth of the electric car. “They’re smooth, quiet and have great torque. Drive one. You’ll fall in love.”