EPRI publishes basic consumer guide about EVs
26 April 2011
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has published a basic consumer guide that addresses questions about electric vehicle technology and performance. With a variety of electric and hybrid technologies now available commercially, potential buyers are looking to understand which options might best match their needs.
The eight-page guide, “Plugging In: A Consumer’s Guide to the Electric Vehicle,” defines and briefly compares driving range, charging times, fuel requirements and effects of weather and driving conditions. It also highlights vehicles available for purchase today and models scheduled to be available later in 2011 and in 2012.
A question and answer section explores and answers a number of the most common questions asked about electric vehicle technology compared to hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Charging and purchasing considerations are among the topics covered in this section.
The guide offers a basic overview of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, and is not intended to be an exhaustive report about the technologies or the manufacturers and vendors supporting this industry.
Consumers need a starting point—basic information to help them evaluate their options as they consider purchasing electric vehicles. This guide is intended to answer some of the most common questions that may help them with their decision.
—Mark Duvall, director of EPRI’s Electric Transportation Program
Well, education is usually a good thing. But nothing will convince the public about the viability of EVs than a nice long test drive.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 26 April 2011 at 12:11 PM
If gasoline prices stay high and do not come down, next year people will be looking at Focus EV or Cruze EV and be figuring that they really don't need all that much range on the second car.
Posted by: SJC | 26 April 2011 at 12:46 PM
Two+car families could use one PHEV (such as the Volt) for long trips and one or two BEVs (such as the Leaf) for daily runs.
That way, a 3-car family could run 90+% of the time on electricity as of today.
Posted by: HarveyD | 26 April 2011 at 02:24 PM
@HarveyD - No need for 3 vehicles - a Volt and a LEAF would allow us to run most of our trips on electrons.
Even the Prius PHEV w/12 mi EV range (vs 35mi of the Volt) would have similar results with a widespread charging infrastructure. Even with the smaller pack and only charging at home, it would still cut about 50% of gas usage compared to regular Prius.
Posted by: Dave R | 26 April 2011 at 05:48 PM
EV's still seem like exotic technology to the average consumer. It will require word-of-mouth, seeing EV's in the neighbor's driveway, etc., to gain acceptance. $4/gal gasoline will help too.
Posted by: danm | 27 April 2011 at 08:30 AM
DaveR....I didn't want to reduce American families to 2 cars. I agree with you that one PHEV + one BEV per family could make a major difference in oil consumption.
danm....I agree with you. We already have $5+/gal gas in Canada and more efficient vehicles are selling much better than gas guzzlers.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 April 2011 at 09:02 AM
People just need to examine their driving patterns. Once they get over an expensive purchase having 100 mile range, it could take off.
Posted by: SJC | 27 April 2011 at 09:40 AM
SJC is right, 100 miles covers 90% of drives & 200 mile range and/or rapid recharge is just down the road. It may take >$5/gal.US, but the message is there.
Posted by: kelly | 27 April 2011 at 10:18 AM
It comes down to do I want to spend $20,000 on something that does much less, but does most of what I want it to do with limitations. Now change that question and substitute $30,000 for the price. You can see why subsidies and tax credits will be necessary initially. But oh, that is liberals giving away rich people's money, can't have any of that, because we all know rich people create jobs. That is why Bush had 20% of normal job creation with 3 tax breaks over 8 years.
Posted by: SJC | 27 April 2011 at 12:59 PM