EV Mythbusting
There’s a myth out there, and Electric For All is here to bust it.
Over the last decade, broad awareness of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) has dramatically increased. However, many questions still remain. We’re on a mission to bust the myths around electric vehicles and educate the public about all the benefits of driving electric. Discover the facts below.
An electric vehicle costs significantly less than a gas-powered vehicle over the two vehicle’s lifetimes.
Upfront costs are dropping for all electric vehicles, with many new EVs already being cost-competitive with new gas vehicles. And, an increasing number of used EVs are becoming available with even more affordable price tags.
Because EVs require far lower fuel and maintenance costs, you can save significantly by driving electric over the lifetime of your EVs compared to the higher lifetime costs of buying, operating and maintaining a gas-powered vehicle.
- Once you include fuel and maintenance cost savings, which are significant, it costs much less to buy, own and operate an EV than a gas powered vehicle today. A Harvard Kennedy School Study found: At $200 per kWh, the EV is cheaper to buy, own and operate than the internal combustion (ICE) vehicle in every scenario by up to $4,300. Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds EVs are significantly cheaper.
- According to Energy.gov all-electric vehicles have the lowest estimated annual fuel cost of all light-duty vehicles.
EVs can meet — and often exceed — your average daily driving needs.
An individual’s average daily commute totals around 30 miles per day. With most electric vehicles now having a 200 mile driving range — with newer models boasting over 400 mile ranges available soon — EVs are more than able to meet your daily driving needs. Plus, unlike gas vehicles, the majority of refueling for EVs can be done right at home. When home charging isn’t an option, DC fast chargers across California’s traffic corridors offer full EV recharging in roughly 30 minutes to keep you on the road and moving forward with ease.
- Over the past decade, the electric vehicle market has grown to more than 60 different cars. The best electric cars all get more than 200 miles on a charge.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that the average American drives 40 miles per day. The 200-plus miles per battery charge offered by many of today’s electric cars provides all the driving range that commuters need. Actually, they provide five times the required distance.
- The time it takes to charge an electric car can be as little as 30 minutes or more than 12 hours. This depends on the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point.
The electrical grid benefits from electric vehicles.
Not only can the electrical grid handle the minimal increase in energy demand caused by electric vehicles, electric vehicles actually present a net benefit to the grid by helping to store and manage energy more efficiently, ultimately driving average electricity rates down for users.
- EVs are driving electricity rates down. This isn’t down the road. This is happening now. (Synapse Energy Report)
- In California, today, our electricity grid is powered by over 34% renewables, with a total of 77% powered by low to no carbon energy.
- Some smart charging and time-of-use pricing will be needed to prevent localized constraints, but overall the power market can comfortably integrate the additional demand. (BNEF)
- Batteries and electric vehicles (EVs), can be central to protecting reliability, according to a new Southern California Edison (SCE) paper, Reimagining the Grid, describing the evolution of tomorrow’s grid
- The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) describes how EVs “have the potential to help balance loads and improve the resiliency of our nation’s electricity infrastructure. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology makes it possible to store surplus electricity generated from intermittent renewable solar and wind sources in EV batteries during non-peak periods and feed power back to the grid when needed, enhancing grid stability and reducing electricity costs at peak hours.”
EVs are already offsetting the demand for oil by 1 million barrels per day globally.
And, as the electrical grid shifts to more renewable energy sources, the carbon footprint from EVs shrinks even further. From factory to road, with zero tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles emit a fraction of global warming pollutants that gas-powered vehicles produce over the lifetime of the vehicle.
- A new study conducted in July 2021 by The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) shows from manufacturing to fueling to driving, EVs produce less pollution than gas-powered vehicles.
- U.S. Department of Energy has developed a Beyond Tailpipe Calculator to estimate the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for your EV or PHEV. You can enter your zip code and calculate the tailpipe emissions for your car. The calculator includes upstream emissions to produce the car and battery.
- Union of Concerned Scientists undertook a comprehensive, two-year review of the climate emissions from vehicle production, operation, and disposal. They found that battery electric cars generate half the emissions of the average comparable gasoline car, even when pollution from battery manufacturing is accounted for.
- Just published, the Union of Concerned Scientists discuss critical materials in battery electric vehicles and battery recycling in this report.
- The need for electrification in the medium- and heavy-duty segment is urgent. EPA reports that the medium- and heavy-duty segment was responsible for 23 percent of the GHG emissions – over half of the transportation emissions in the U.S. – and accounted for 26 percent of the transportation sector’s fuel consumption in 2018.
There are 100+ different electric vehicle models available today to meet the unique needs for more and more Californians.
Plus, manufacturers are debuting more makes and models every year. With instant acceleration, driving electric is fun, fast and powerful.
- Most EVs on the market today go from 0-60 mph in less than 8 seconds, some in less than 3. They are among the speediest on the market, and far faster than most gas-powered vehicles. (Motortrend)
- Dozens of new passenger EV models will hit the US market in the next two to three years. These are finally addressing the light truck, SUV, and crossover markets in large numbers. COVID-19 has impacted some delivery schedules, but these delays are marked in months, not years. (Car and Driver) (BNEF)
Electric vehicle sales are growing exponentially as upfront costs drop dramatically.
Meanwhile, gas-powered vehicle sales have been steadily declining since 2018, showing that demand for electric vehicles is rapidly outpacing the demand for traditional combustion engine vehicles.
- Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales have peaked, according to most analysts.
- EV sales have been more resilient during the pandemic/recession, and more resilient than gas powered car sales.
- Carmakers are producing more EVs. Electric car stock increased 40% year-on year in 2019, according to the IEA.
California is on track to ensure everyone can charge when and where they need to charge.
With new policies, investments and regulatory streamlining, California is on the fast track to building out the necessary charging infrastructure to meet the demand created by the 2035 goal to electrify 100% of new passenger vehicles sold.
- Charging stations are proliferating faster in California than anywhere in the U.S. (Consumer Reports).
- The California Energy Commission is putting a “down payment” of $384 million over the next three years on the electric-vehicle charging and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.
- Find alternative fueling stations in the U.S. and Canada from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) describes how EVs “have the potential to help balance loads and improve the resiliency of our nation’s electricity infrastructure. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology makes it possible to store surplus electricity generated from intermittent renewable solar and wind sources in EV batteries during non-peak periods and feed power back to the grid when needed, enhancing grid stability and reducing electricity costs at peak hours.”
Electric vehicles make up California’s biggest export.
California is home to 55 different electric vehicle manufacturers. Electric vehicles now make up the state’s biggest export with over 17% of the market share. The global industry of EVs is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity with one of the fastest growing job markets for the state to engage in.
- Electric vehicles in 2020 became the state’s largest export. This is the next big global industry – a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for California, and anyone else who leads the electric vehicle market.
- California Zero-Emission Vehicle-Related Manufacturing Dashboard reports 55 ZEV-related manufacturers in CA. (GO-Biz)
- Zero-Emission Vehicle Related Manufacturing page (CEC)
- CA stands out in market opportunity for EVs, and accounted for half of EV sales from 2010-17. (ICCT)
- The fifth annual Clean Jobs America report from E2 shows that from 2017-2020, U.S. clean energy was one of the fastest-growing jobs, employing 3.4 million before the COVID crisis hit. Led by EVs, clean vehicles are leading overall job growth: since June, clean vehicle employment in the United States has risen 26 percent.