Electric City Vehicles Can Be a Great Option For Commuters
EV owners can reduce their operating costs by driving with consistent speed and limiting the use of heating and cooling, and by using public charging stations. Unlike gasoline-powered cars, which need to be refueled, most electric vehicles can go a long way between charges. This means they can be a great option for commuters.
While the cost of electricity is relatively stable, gas prices are more volatile and can affect total energy costs for a mile driven. The cost of recharging an EV can also vary by region.
The EV battery and motor convert around 59-62 percent of the electrical energy from the power grid into turning the wheels, which is more efficient than the 17-21 percent that goes to moving an internal combustion engine vehicle. In addition, regenerative braking captures and recharges energy normally lost during braking. This can add another ten miles of range for an EV every time it is plugged in, and some EVs even have a built-in solar panel that can help offset daytime charging costs.
EVs have many advantages, but their adoption can be constrained by various factors, especially for those who live in rental units and don’t have a garage to install a charging system. Providing access to recharging at work, shopping centers, parking garages, and other community locations can help address this issue. Two-way “vehicle-to-grid” charging can allow EVs to be used as virtual power sources at times of peak demand, reducing the strain on the local electric grid.
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