By Charlie Dudney, with Yetta Jager, of the Green Sanctuary Team
Recently, the Southeast has experienced unprecedented hurricanes stimulated by human-caused climate warming of ocean waters. One important way that we can reverse climate impacts is by shifting away from using fossil fuels. At the individual level, we can do this by replacing our gas-powered vehicles with all-electric vehicles (EV’s). The Federal Government has set a goal to make half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, and to build a convenient and equitable network of 500,000 chargers to help make EVs accessible to all Americans for both local and long-distance trips.
How can we, as individuals, contribute to this goal? Let’s compare two vehicles, a 2019 all-electric Chevrolet Bolt and a typical light-duty gasoline vehicle. Comparing the two*, we see that driving the EV reduced emissions by 80% (0.628 pounds of CO2). So, if we estimate how many miles we drive in a year, we can estimate how much we personally can reduce emissions, and then scale this to the national scale. It makes a difference! Not only will this help moderate climate, but it will also improve air quality and expose us to less noise while driving.
The second question is whether an EV will meet our driving requirements. Current EVs get about 300 miles on an 80% charge. How often do you drive more than 300 miles in a day? What about the logistics of planning a long trip, charging along the way? Google maps will now show where EV charging stations are. There are also planning tools on Tesla and ChargeHub websites to help plan a long trip. Or you can rent a mid-size car from Enterprise here in Farragut for less than $70 per day, saving the wear and tear on your personal car.
The third question is whether we can afford to replace our gasoline vehicles with EVs. There are concerns about the equity and access to EVs, owners are predominantly high-income white and male (see https://sciencepolicyreview.org/2021/08/equity-transition-electric-vehicles/), but more-affordable models are coming into the market as the cost of manufacturing drops and competition increases. The average cost of used EVs dropped 33% between 2022 and 2023. Whereas the initial purchase price may be higher, maintenance is cheaper. A new EV from Chevrolet or Tesla can cost around $40K. If it is made in the US, the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill will provide a tax refund of up to $7.5K. Used EV’s are cheaper (they tend to depreciate faster than gas vehicles) and are eligible for a $4,000 tax credit. However, one risk with buying a used EV is battery health (battery replacement costs $5K to $15K; a lithium battery will last about 50,000 miles) and may no longer be under warrantee. Then you will need to install a 240-volt charger in your garage (~$400. plus t1,500. for an electrician).
EV’s are cheaper to maintain than gasoline-powered vehicles because they have a simpler design with fewer moving parts. No combustion engine, no spark plugs, no oil changes… According to the AAA, EVs cost about $300 less per year to maintain than gas-powered vehicles, with an estimated yearly cost under $1,000. A study by the Department of Energy found that EVs cost 6 cents per mile to maintain, whereas gas-powered cars cost 10 cents. In addition, some Tennessee insurers will provide discounts for EV owners.
Keep in mind that lithium-ion batteries are hazardous and should be handled with care. Unlike the lead-acid batteries we are familiar with, lithium-ion batteries contain a mixture of inorganic salts and flammable organic polymers. Be sure to follow all instructions from the EV’s manufacturer. Second, program your car to charge to no more than 80% of full charge. This will prevent overheating (and the associated potential for fire) and will extend the battery life.
We hope this Green Sanctuary blog gets you thinking about EVs and answers some of your questions about this important climate mitigation option. If you have any other questions, please reach out to Charlie Dudney.
*The Bolt EV gets about 4 miles from a kWh of electricity (0.25 kWh/mi). TVA emits 0.625 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) for each kWh it generates and charges you roughly 11.6 cents. The Bolt EV therefore emits 0.156 pounds of CO2 per mile. By comparison, the average mileage of a 2020 light-duty gasoline vehicle is 25 mpg. Burning a gallon of gasoline releases 19.6 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere and costs about $2.70. Doing the math, the gas vehicle emits 0.784 pounds of CO2 per mile.
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