Summary of EV Discussion – Green Team Zoom meeting
January 13, 2021

Charging into the Future: A Primer for Panorama Residents on Electric Vehicles

Introduction:

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a significant way to reduce our carbon emissions.Power Point presentation presented by Cleve Pinnix, adapted from material provided by the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT).

EVs at Panorama

Green Team members Wayne Olsen and Cleve Pinnix have been serving on the Transportation subgroup of the Thurston Climate Action Team. The Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) is now in final form with over 70 specific actions to bring carbon emissions in Thurston County down. Thad Curtz, a retired professor from The Evergreen State College, produced the slides that Cleve is using for the presentation.

The TCMP states: As our energy sources become cleaner, with electricity coming mostly from renewables, vehicles powered by gas and diesel will become our greatest local source of emissions. One of the easier shifts we can make is to also power our transportation using electricity.
 
Types of vehicles:

ICE – Internal Combustion Engine: A conventional car.

Hybrid – An engine plus a battery recharged by the engine. Examples: Toyota Prius, Honda Insight.

Plug-in Hybrid – The battery can be recharged by outside power. Example: Toyota Prius Prime.

Electric Vehicle (EV) – Powered by a battery, rechargeable by external power. Examples: Tesla, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf.

Why we believe the future of cars is electric:

EVs are a fast-growing market segment.  Mostly they look like conventional cars. Sometimes they have the same body styles as the other types of cars. New Ford Mustang is an EV. We may see EV pickup trucks in 2021. EV utility vehicles may be next.

A conventional car produces carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter, aromatics. The EV produces less air pollution, and has no tailpipe emissions, less water pollution, no leaks. Improved water quality helps orcas and salmon and other sealife. There’s also less noise pollution.

EVs can save us money. Electricity cost is much less than the cost of gasoline for conventional cars.

Charging EVs:
For shorter-range EVs, plugging into a standard 120-volt outlet will charge it. These EVs come with 120-volt charging ports.
Longer range EVs – 120-volt will still work, but it takes a long time. Most owners will want to install a 240-volt charger. It will come up to a full charge overnight. If your residence has a garage you can have a 240-volt circuit installed. But there’s a problem for apartment dwellers. There are 480-volt fast charge stations, which will charge your EV in about an hour. The network of public charging stations is growing all the time. Tesla has charging stations that will work only for Teslas (unless you have an adapter).

Range Anxiety is a major concern. Consider your recent driving trips. How often do you travel more than 200 miles in a day? Many current EV models have a range of over 200 miles. EV owners are saving money and can spend some of the saved money on a rental vehicle if they want to take a long trip.

Thad Curtz looked at Thurston County, comparing the amount of CO2 produced by similar vehicles that are ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric vehicles for now, 2025 and 2030 (when all electricity should be produced from renewable energy). Now the EV produces somewhat less than half the CO2 of the gas-powered vehicle (due to use of fossil fuels in producing the electricity), but in 2030 and later there will be zero emissions related to use of the EV. 

Our power from PSE is 36% coal, 32% hydro. Seattle City Light is 84% hydro, much greener power than PSE, but PSE is on a path to get cleaner. So an EV in Seattle is already near zero emissions.

Barriers to EV Ownership:

1. Range Anxiety.
2. New Technology – are they reliable? Manufacturers often offer long warranties. They require less maintenance.
3. Safety – same requirements as conventional vehicles. All modern vehicles are equipped with modern safety features.
4. Cost – This is complicated. Possible tax rebate, new EVs will be less expensive. Prices are going down because lithium-ion battery prices are dropping. EVs can deliver cost savings over the life of the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions about EVs

Electric Vehicle definition: What is the difference between Battery Electric (EV), Plug-in Hybrid, and Hybrid Electric?

These terms can be confusing. Let’s sort them out this way: Battery Electric vehicles, commonly called EVs, are just what they sound like. All their power comes from a large, rechargeable battery pack, which is recharged by plugging the EV into an electrical power source. Plug-in Hybrids have a combustion (usually gasoline) engine, plus a large battery. That battery can be recharged by plugging into an electrical power source. Or the battery can be recharged while the vehicle is being driven, powered by its gasoline engine. Hybrid Electric vehicles have both a large battery and a gasoline engine. The battery in these vehicles can be recharged  only by running the gasoline engine.

EVs are new technology, so isn’t there a lot more that can go wrong?

Actually, the earliest cars were electric, but the batteries in the early twentieth century wouldn’t take them very far on a charge. Thanks to lithium ion batteries, EVs have made their way back into the marketplace over the last decade. What’s more, there are only about 20 moving parts on an EV while there are around 2,000 on a gas vehicle! We are accustomed to things breaking on a gas vehicle, and to having to take it to a mechanic. There is much less to break and maintain on an EV!

EVs cost way more, don’t they?

Right now, a new EV does cost more to buy than a comparable gasoline car, although state and federal tax incentives can offset much if not all of this price difference. However, EV operating costs are far less. The per mile cost to recharge an EV for most people is about one-third that of refueling a gas car. Predicted maintenance costs are far less than for comparable gasoline cars. An EV has few moving parts, so it requires no oil changes, antifreeze, or engine repairs; no new mufflers to buy. A recent Consumer Reports article estimates that savings over the lifetime of the vehicle range from $6,000-$10,000.

What if the battery doesn’t last and I have to spend $$$ to buy a new one?

All batteries slowly lose their storage capacity over time, which is why federal regulations require manufacturers to warranty battery performance for at least 100,000 miles or eight years. Many manufacturers offer even longer warranties. Thanks to technological advances, batteries will continue to last longer, cost less, and shrink in size and weight.

What about the extra registration fees for EVs?

Battery-electric cars don’t pay the gas taxes used to build and maintain our highways. Instead, EVs pay an extra annual fee of $225 in Washington State. If you drive your EV quite a bit, the fee will be less than what you would have paid in gas taxes. If you don’t drive much, you’ll be paying more. As electric vehicles become more common, the state is considering moving toward some form of VMT (vehicle miles traveled) fee to raise transportation revenue in place of the gas tax.

What about long-distance trips?

The car’s navigation software and a variety of smartphone apps locate chargers for you, including the 440v fast chargers along highway corridors and at major commercial centers. These will restore 80% of your car’s range in less than an hour. Some chargers are free, but most require a payment. Crowd-sourced Plugshare is the most comprehensive and accurate website and app for finding chargers while you’re traveling.

There are three different kinds of fast chargers: Tesla, CHAdeMO (ChAdeMO is the trade name of a quick charging method for battery electric vehicles used by Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan and Mitsubishi), and Combined Charging System (CCS). Tesla’s charging network will work only with their cars, though Tesla owners can adapt their charger to work with the second kind, CHAdeMO. And Tesla is quickly adopting the third kind, CCS, which is used by American and European manufacturers. Nearly all up-to-date fast chargers offer both CHAdeMO and CCS, much like regular gas and diesel dispensed at the same pump.

Fully charging a typical EV with a battery capacity of 35-40 kWh costs about $10 at a public charger. Charging networks vary in how they bill customers; some have a one-time access charge and some charge by how long you’re at the charger. Most now charge you just for the actual energy you use. Nearly all charging stations now use regular credit and debit cards like a gas pump.

Just as with a gasoline vehicle, your driving range will vary depending upon speed, terrain, weather, and the capacity of your batteries. The instrument panel measures these variables and provides an up-to-date estimate of your remaining range. 

What do I need to do to maintain my EV?

Very little: rotate the tires, occasionally check fluid levels (battery coolant, power brakes, power steering, windshield wiper fluid), clean leaves out of air vents, replace windshield wipers. That’s it!

Isn’t the electric grid just as dirty as using gas?

In our area, Puget Sound Energy relies on renewable energy sources, primarily hydroelectric and wind power, to meet roughly one-third of consumer demand. PSE will be coal-free by 2025, and completely fossil fuel-free by 2045. Right now, you’d need to get 100 mpg on a gas engine car to equal the efficiency of an EV. Think about your actual driving needs. Many current EVs will go well over 200 miles between charges. If you can recharge at home, in your garage or driveway, “refueling” is simple and cheap. If your driving habits include longer trips, consider whether stopping at a public charging station would meet your needs – or even if occasionally renting a conventional car would enable you to make this change that benefits our planet.

Won’t an EV get smashed to bits in an accident?

No! EVs are required to have the same safety features as conventional cars. Modern EVs aren’t glorified golf carts; they are serious, well-designed, roadworthy vehicles. There’s no leaking gasoline in the event of a serious crash, either.

Will I get shocked if I drive through a puddle or go through a car wash in my EV?

Absolutely not! Electric vehicles go through the same rigorous testing process as gas vehicles before they’re made available to buyers, and are just as watertight and safe as any gas car in wet conditions, be it a car wash, torrential rains, or snowstorm.

Are Electric Cars more flammable?

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the power source for battery electric vehicles, are flammable. They contain a liquid electrolyte that stores energy and can overheat and combust with prolonged exposure to the wrong conditions. These power cells are also subject to short-circuiting if they are damaged, and those short-circuits can result in fires if the proper safety precautions are not in place. However, when compared to the flammability of gasoline, Li-ion batteries pose a far lower risk of fire or explosions.