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\u201cYou can depend on electric vehicles and the network (infrastructure) is there already with EV chargers placed around travel corridors and places like shopping centers, libraries, and recreation centers,\u201d said Kennedy, who drives a 2022 Kia EV-6. \u201cYou can also use Google Maps to query where electric vehicle charging stations are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs EV charging continues to expand, their placement around travel corridors actually is an economic driver for those areas,\u201d noted Werner.<\/p>\n
But there are simpler recharging methods, noted Kennedy. \u201cHonestly, the easiest way to charge is at your home,\u201d she said, pointing out that\u2019s a clear advantage in that \u201cmost people don\u2019t have gas pumps at their house. You can also plug your car in while you work or sleep, or just walk away from it while you engage in other life activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kennedy said electric vehicles charge about five miles an hour, about 40 miles overnight. \u201cMost people don\u2019t travel more than 40 miles,\u201d she pointed out, adding electric vehicle charging on level 1, which uses a normal 120-volt outlet, will charge at roughly 5 miles per hour. Level 2 charging, which uses a 240-volt outlet, can yield approximately 18-30 miles per hour.<\/p>\n
Electric vehicles, depending on their battery size, can go travel farther than you think on a full charge, noted Werner. \u201cTheir maximum range is between 250 and 300 miles,\u201d she said pointing out batteries, like gas tanks, \u201conly hold so much.\u201d She put that in perspective stating, \u201cThat\u2019s a trip from San Diego to Los Angeles in both directions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have made it from Phoenix to San Diego stopping one time to charge,\u201d said Kennedy.<\/p>\n
Regarding the cost of electric charging versus buying gas, Kennedy said there is savings there too. \u201cIt tends to be much less expensive, by at least half,\u201d she said. She added the price of electricity depends on the rate being charged by the utility supplying that electricity, not unlike gas stations charging different prices in different areas.<\/p>\n
Werner talked about one of the goals in the City\u2019s newly updated CAP. \u201cBy 2035, we want to see 25% of all light-duty vehicle miles traveled in the City to be on electric power. That\u2019s the target,\u201d she said. \u201cWe also want 50% of all trips in the City to be not in a car, but by some other form of travel, whether it be walking, mass transit, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Werner, \u201cPeople getting out of their cars will not only improve traffic but make for more walkable neighborhoods and an overall improvement in quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Comparing prices between electric versus internal combustion vehicles,<\/p>\n
Kennedy noted current data suggests the average new car today costs about $40,000. \u201cFor electric vehicles, the cost is higher, simply because most electric vehicles are made to be luxury models,\u201d she said. \u201cSo it\u2019s not comparing apples with apples. There are about a dozen EV models whose manufacturers suggested retail price falls just above, or under, $40,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are also financial incentives being offered to encourage people to make the switch from internal combustion to electric vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a number of federal and state incentives to help lower the price tags of many electric vehicles on the market, like after-the-fact tax rebates,\u201d said Kennedy. \u201cConsumers can choose to apply that at the time they purchase their car. That can really help with getting more people to purchase more cars if they don\u2019t have to wait for a rebate come tax time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebates are changing per the recently passed inflation reduction act. Consumers should be able to apply the rebate at the time of purchase of electric vehicles starting in 2024.<\/p>\n
In addition to not requiring fuel, electric cars also avoid oil changes, are generally easier on the brakes, and have fewer moving parts to break. But there are other advantages too to owning them.<\/p>\n
\u201cElectrical vehicles have incredible technology and they are fun to drive and they are great in terms of emission reductions,\u201d pointed out Kennedy. \u201cThey are less expensive to fuel and manage. So there are some real positives to making the transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
ELECTRIC VEHICLES<\/p>\n
EV \u2013 electric vehicle: Uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. It can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or powered autonomously by a battery.<\/p>\n
BEV \u2013 battery electric vehicle: Is a car that runs only on electricity. You don’t need to fill it up with gas, get the oil changed, or do other engine maintenance, and you can charge the battery from a standard home power outlet.<\/p>\n
HEV \u2013 hybrid electric vehicle: This is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance.<\/p>\n
PHEV \u2013 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: Also called \u201cplug-ins,\u201d have both an electric motor and an engine that runs on gas. You can charge it with electricity, fill it with gas, or both.<\/p>\n