Electric Vehicles are so new, most people don't have access to good information about them. We compiled some of the most common misconceptions we hear, and tried to make the truth as clear as possible.
1. MYTH: Electric Vehicles (EVs) have too short of a range for most driving needs. Chances are good you'll end up being stranded some place when you run out of electricity.
FACT: Most new EVs have a range of at least 80 miles, more than double what a typical American driver drives in a day.
Many EVs, like the Chevy Volt, will have gasoline back up, which kicks in when the electrical charge is depleted. The Nissan Leaf doesn't have gasoline back up, but it has a 100 mile range, sufficient for most of our daily driving.
The proliferation of charging stations will allow you to "refuel" as needed. In a pinch you can charge up (albeit slowly) using a normal 120 volt outlet.
A Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) that has gasoline back up completely eliminates the worry of getting stranded - as long as you can get gas, you can drive on just like a normal vehicle.
2. MYTH: EVs are only appropriate for short distances.
FACT: EVs are reliable, easily rechargeable, and make great commuter cars. EVs have been in use for many years. Although you currently can't drive across country on electric power only, EVs easily fulfill most of our around town and commuting needs.
3. MYTH: EVs are no cleaner than gasoline powered cars
FACT: Use of plug-in vehicles significanly reduces green house gases and other pollutants as compareed to gas powered vehicles. Read the summary of some 30 studies, analyses and presentations on this topic. It is much cleaner to run cars on electricity than on gas, especially as more and more electricity is produced by solar and wind energy.
Our electicity generation is getting cleaner over time, adding more and more renewable energy. In fact, it's possible to power charging stations with solar energy and wind power,
4. MYTH: The grid can't possibly support all these new plug-in cars.
FACT: There is much gneration capacity at night, which will be the most common time to charge your car.
Additionally, utilitity companies will have sufficient time to ramp up their capabiliites as more and more EVs come on the market.
New coal fired generation will not necessarity be required as we move to incorporate more renewable energies into the grid.
5. MYTH: Electric car batteries can't be recycled and are bad for the environment.
FACT: There's an excellent track record of recycling standard vehicle batteries. EVs use lithium batteries which have no heavy metals, which are typically the most toxic elements of batteries. They will be recyclable.
6. MYTH: EVs take too long to charge.
FACT: A electric vehicle that 100 miles on a full charge, can be fully charged from empty between four and five hours on a 240-volt charging station. This is well within the range of usefullness. You can fully charge overnight, while at work during the day, and even get 40 additional miles of driving when you go to a two hour movie. It is true that electric vehicles will take longer to charge on 120-volt chargers and why we usually recommend the 240-volt chargers.
7. MYTH: Plug-ins vehicles are too expensive.
FACT: It is true that electric vehicles are more expensive that conventional cars. However, with the current $7,500 tax credit, these cars are more affordable than ever. For example, Nissan has announced the price of the Nissan Leaf with a suggested retail price of $32,700. With a $7,500 tax credit, the effective price becomes $25,200.
In addition, the operating cost of an EV is 4 cents a mile as compared to 10 or 15 cents per mile for a regular gas powered car, plus no oil or filter changes and no tune ups.
8. MYTH: Batteries will cost half as much as the car to replace.
FACT: While it is true that batteries are expensive, prices are coming down as production increases.
Some manufacturers will offer leasing options for the batteries, transferring the replacement cost back to the manufacturer.
Other manufacturers will handle this diffrently. The Chevy Volt is reported to have a 10 year battery warranty that would cover battery replacement cost.
9. MYTH: Lithium for batteries is running out.
FACT: Even without any battery recycling or any new mining, existing lithium stores will be sufficient for projected production levels for the next 75 years. plug-in America has an analysis here.
10. MYTH: Lithium batteries might catch fire and explode.
FACT: Lithium batteries chemisty have come a long way since the days when laptop computer batteries caught fire. Most manufacturers are using lithium chemistries that are inherently safer than those old laptop batteries. These new batteries also provide more years of service. |
