EV Considerations

• The average person drives 40 miles each day commuting to work and running errands. If that aligns with your daily mileage, consider a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Charging overnight should keep it ready for your commute, and today, most new BEVs cover over 200 miles. However, to ensure your needs are met, assume your range will be somewhat less.
• Even if you frequently take long trips or have a few longer daily drives, an EV may not be convenient.  You may consider a BEV as a second vehicle. 
• If you average more miles per day and/or take frequent long trips, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) may better meet your needs. PHEVs use a combination of an electric motor and gasoline engine to provide about 12-50 electric miles and the ability to keep driving on gasoline after the battery is depleted. They do need to be plugged in to charge but can operate in gas-only mode when necessary.

• BEVs operate solely on electric power and must be charged by plugging in. The battery in PHEVs must also be charged, but the vehicle can operate on gas if the charge runs out. 
• A 120-volt outlet in your garage or driveway may handle overnight charging if you are driving only about 40 miles per day and have a full 8 hours to plug in. If you drive more and charge less, you may not get a sufficient charge. 
• If you want quicker charging, you will need a 240-volt outlet and compatible charging station, which start at a few hundred dollars.
• If you do not have off-street parking, it may be difficult to charge your EV at home.

• The purchase price for EVs may be somewhat higher than similar gasoline vehicles; however, this additional price is offset by lower operating and maintenance costs. 
• The used EV market is continuing to grow, and you may be able to get a good deal on an older model. 
• For some vehicles and situations, leases for EVs can be less than $200 per month. 
• You may receive a federal tax credit for BEVs and PHEVs.

• The purchase price of EVs does not tell the entire story. When purchasing any vehicle, operating and maintenance costs should be incorporated into the car’s total cost of ownership, and these costs are generally lower for EVs than gas-powered cars. Start with what your current vehicle costs in operation and maintenance; then compare it to alternatives. 
• Energy costs to operate BEVs typically run $590 a year, while PHEVs cost about $720 a year. 
• Maintenance costs will be far less in BEVs thanks to fewer moving parts and a simpler design. PHEVs have both electric and combustion components, but they may still have lower maintenance costs than conventional vehicles because some components, such as brakes, experience less wear. 
• Also, don’t forget the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 may be available. The exact amount depends on the vehicle, manufacturer and your tax liability. In addition, you may qualify for other rebates and perks from your state, city or cooperative, such as lower electric rates for charging overnight, free parking or access to special commuter lanes.
• Your electric bill will increase, but how much will depend on factors like how much you drive and how frequently you change at home. 

How long will an electric vehicle battery last and what’s the price to replace it? Well, the response is often “it depends.” Many electric vehicle (EV) models come with an 8-year/100K mile warranty, but some do not.

While there is little agreement in the EV industry as to how long a vehicle battery will last, there is strong agreement and data that proves that the more energy used from the battery between charges, the shorter the battery’s life. As a result, there are some in the industry that have adopted the charging phrase of “graze not gorge” to encourage regular short charging sessions as opposed to using the vehicle until the battery is depleted.

There are a few common conditions that may cause high energy usage of the battery and possibly contribute to shorter battery life:

• High temperatures
• Overcharging
• Frequent driving with battery less than half full
• Frequent quick accelerations

As far as the cost to replace a battery when the vehicle is past warranty, prices vary from $5,500 on up. There is also an option to refurbish battery packs for about half the cost of a full replacement.  Additionally, battery prices continue to drop, so the replacement cost may decline in the future.

Lastly, there is a concern about the disposal of old batteries.  Thankfully, we are beginning to see the batteries being recycled or used as part of energy storage systems. This will keep the batteries out of landfills and enable them to be used for years after they are removed from the vehicles.