Journey to a Green Sanctuary ~ October 2022

From Penny Hopkins, UUCGV Green Team Member

CURIOUS ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

What are Electric Vehicles? EVs are vehicles which use one or more electric motors for propulsion. They can be powered by a collector system with electricity from extravehicular sources or by a battery. They are designed from the ground up differently from gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. EVs currently include passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks. Technology is in the works to expand battery-operated surface and underwater vessels, aircraft and spacecraft, as well as freight trucks, buses, delivery vans, even rail transportation. EVs are essentially drivable computers. 

What are Hybrid Electric Vehicles?  HEVs combine internal combustion engine systems with an electric propulsion system. There are various configurations. A “plugged-in hybrid” can be recharged from external electric sources with electricity stored in rechargeable battery packs. “Regular hybrids” cannot be plugged in. Both can be run to use less petroleum.

What are the benefits of EVs on the Environment? EVs have no tailpipe emissions, so no air pollution. Carbon emissions in the production and operation of EVs are less than for conventional vehicles. Internal-combustion engines use far more raw materials to build and maintain over the lifetime of the vehicle than EVs.
Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the U.S. Air pollution negatively affects people, animals, and the environment in general. People of color and the disadvantaged suffer more since they often live in areas of greater exposure.  Rates of childhood asthma have risen dramatically due to air pollution. If pollution from new trucks and buses were eliminated by 2040, it’s predicted fifty-seven thousand premature deaths wouldn’t occur.
It’s estimated by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) the cost of U.S. climate-related weather disasters in 2021 was $145 billion. The estimated savings from declining U.S. vehicle emissions from 2008-2017 was $270 billion. There’s an enormous amount at stake for the American people, and the entire world, to reduce the effects of climate change.
To help avert climate disaster caused by air pollution, many things must rapidly change. One way is to now make familiar vehicles, such as the family car and pickup trucks, all electric. Municipalities need to make cities more pedestrian and bike friendly to lessen the use of automobiles. Better public transportation options are essential.

How would an EV benefit me? Besides saving at the pump and not being dependent on fickle gasoline supplies, maintenance costs are very low because little maintenance is required. The automotive computer makes automatic updates to the vehicle’s systems. The main battery coolant needs topping off on schedule, and the secondary battery, a 12V, needs replacing every two to three years. While brake pads and rotors last two times as long on EVs, you do need to check for wear and tear. Brake fluid should be checked every two to five years along with tire wear. Windshield wipers and light bulbs may need replacing, but that’s it!
A key advantage of EVs is regenerative braking. Regenerative braking recovers kinetic energy and restores the electricity to the on-board battery. Electric motors are simple and can achieve 90% energy conversion efficiency. 
EVs are quiet and smooth, with less vibration. To warn pedestrians of the vehicle’s presence when moving under ten miles an hour and while backing, an unobtrusive sound is emitted. EVs are a comfortable ride and come in many family-friendly and sporty styles. 
Safety is a huge benefit in driving an EV. They are built with all-around cameras, alarms, warnings of lane drift, and driver assistance. The frames are reinforced and EVs are almost impossible to tip over due to the low center of gravity. They accelerate quickly, warn of road obstacles, have excellent visibility, with air bags all around among many other safety features. 
One very important benefit to owning an EV is they hold or increase in value. Often used EVs sell for more than new ones. While upfront costs are higher, most analysts predict the lifetime cost of an EV will be equal to that of a comparable gas-powered vehicle by 2025. Information on features, prices, and rebates of new EVs and Hybrids are available using Edmunds.

What’s the range of an EV? In 2022, with projections into 2024, some 85 to 100 models will be available with ranges of well over 275 miles per full charge.

How and where can you charge your EV? More free public electric charging stations are coming to Colorado. Six state highways are now approved for federal grants to build EV charging network to connect more states. Colorado is set to receive 57 million dollars per the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program within 5 years according to CDOT.
On federally approved highways chargers will be built within 1 mile of major roads and are no more than 50 miles apart. These corridors will add nearly 1,000 miles of NEVI-approved roadways to Colorado, a 44% increase per CDOT. NEVI also focused on improving infrastructure in rural Colorado. Highways will include 1-70 plus state highways 34, 36, 287, 385, AND 550. Existing corridors are on: 1-70, 25, 76, 270, 40, 50, 285, 160.  
In-town public free charging stations are becoming increasingly abundant and easily accessed. In Grand Junction, charging stations are located at: 750 Main, Avalon Theater, 135 N. 7th, Main Library, CDOT shop on D Rd., Alpine Bank N. 5th, Los Colonias, 234 Main, 925 Struthers, 225 Main, Alasta Solar S. 7th and Riverside Parkway, Red Rock Nissan, Highway 6, 2814 Patterson road, Grand Vista Hotel, 2740 Crossroads Blvd, Mesa Mall, Red Rock Kia, 2980 Hwy 50, and GVP Station 845 22 Road. All public charging stations feature multiple connections for use. 
On-board computers show charging station locations, types, and distance from where you are. The computer can plan trips by showing all available charging stations on your chosen route. 

In-home chargers for the main battery come with two choices: Level 1 and Level 2. Xcel offers house wiring rebates for Level 2 home charger for $500 up to $1300 with qualifying income.  And by using off-peak charging, you may qualify for an annual $50.00 credit from Xcel. More EVs can be plugged into the electric grid to feedback energy during peak usage, reducing the need for new power plants. They can then be recharged at night when there is lower demand on the grid, providing stability of the electric grid when the EV is not in use. 
Government incentives in the form of rebates at the local, state, and federal levels may help offset the initial costs to purchase and install personal charging stations. The secondary battery is a 12V used to unlock doors, shift gears, run the lights and radio, etc. 
The biggest difference between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers is the speed to fully charge your EV. Level 1 chargers and cord typically comes with the vehicle. It uses your standard household electric outlets, but typically takes 11-20 hours to full charge the vehicle. It delivers 1.2 kW of power. A Level 2 charging system requires 208-240 volt, 40 amp circuit. If your home is not already 240 volt ready, certified electricians can easily install your system. Level 2 home chargers can fully charge your EV within 3-8 hours. They range from 6.2-19.2 kW, most being around 7.6 kW. Electricity received from charging stations is stored in rechargeable battery packs. Power is measured in kilowatts (kW). 
Electric motors can deliver their maximum torque over a wide RPM range. Performance of a 100 kW EV motor exceeds that of vehicles with 100 kW internal combustion engines, which can only deliver its maximum torque with a limited range of engine speeds. Efficiency of charging varies dependent on the types of chargers used and energy lost converting electric energy to mechanical energy.  EVs convert over 59-62% of grid energy to the wheels. 
There are some concerns about the manufacture of EV batteries. Currently, these batteries require rare earth metals: copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and magnesium. However, there have been many advances with lithium-ion batteries. They are safer, charge faster, and last longer, with more improvements on the way. Also, prices are coming down.

What do EVs and Hybrids cost? According to Edmunds, here are some 2022 upfront costs before rebates: EVs in a range such as Nissan models: Leaf S - $27,400, Leaf SV - $28,800, Leaf SV Plus - $32,400 to $35,400. VW SUV - $41,230 and Tesla model S - $69,420, model Y - $62,900, model X - $114,900, model 3 - $48,490 - $61,990.
Hybrids in a range such as Toyota RAV4 - $30, 290, Ford Escape - $30,415, Hyundai Tuscon - $30,595, Toyota Highlander - $40,270.

 Who’s currently on-board promoting EV use? Worldwide, Sweden is experimenting with under-pavement charging capability on major roadways. By 2040 every Hyundai sold in major global markets will be electric, with the goal to be 100% carbon-neutral by 2045. The Department of Environment in Antigua and Barbuda are testing ideas for electric school buses coupled with a bidirectional charger to discharge power back into critical buildings when the main electric supply goes down. Worldwide automakers plan to invest $340 billion in EVs through 2030. In July, the EU proposed legislation requiring all new cars and vans sold to be zero-emissions by 2035. The UK and Canada have announced similar plans.
Closer to home, California is expected to ban the sale of new gasoline vehicles by 2035. More than half of California’s carbon pollution comes from the transportation sector. Xcel Energy is offering rebates for business EV use and plans to replace 20% of their gas-powered vehicles with EVs. They plan to power some 1.5 million EVs by 2030 with home use Level 2 chargers. Some $52 billion is being invested in Michigan as it expects to create over 5,000 new auto manufacturing jobs as it switches to EVs. 
FedEx promises that all parcel pickups and delivery vans will be electric by 2040. IKEA plans all home delivery vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2025. The Postal Service is considering replacing its fleet of delivery vehicles to electric.
Making all new passenger cars and trucks zero-emissions by 2035, including freight trucks and buses, zero-emissions is a hopeful goal. By choosing to switch to an EV, you too can join the growing movement to help the environment as well as your wallet.