Myth: EVs are just as bad for the environment as fossil fuel cars because the energy fueling them comes from oil/gas/coal and due to heavy reliance on extractive industries for manufacturing.

Myth BUSTED: EVs run more efficiently when compared to fossil fuel cars. Additionally, EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, leaving the air cleaner as you drive. EVs produce fewer emissions overall when compared to fossil fuel cars, especially as the electric grid becomes more renewable. Finally, EVs allow for secondary battery applications and technology is continually improving.

One of the most common—and contentious—questions that electric vehicle (EV) experts are frequently asked is, “are electric vehicles really better for the environment? Especially in the case of batteries and the manufacturing process? And, what about when EVs are driving off fossil fuel-based electricity?

This is a prickly question for a reason! Are EVs 100% green with no associated emissions? Of course not! Nothing that is manufactured on an industrial scale today can reach zero emissions or “carbon neutrality.” However, it is still true that electric vehicles are better for the environment—and your health—when compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles.

Efficiency:

Let’s first start with efficiency. The average EV is 2.25 times more efficient than a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. While an ICE vehicle is 40% efficient, a comparable EV is about 90% efficient (Ruffo 2020). It is this efficiency, even when charging the average EV off a dirty (coal-based) electric grid, that makes EVs more environmentally friendly when compared to the average ICE vehicle. Think of it this way: you may be charging your car off a dirty grid, but you are getting more mileage out of that energy input in an EV. In a fossil fueled car, you are simply burning up 60% of your energy to get the car to run, while in an EV, only 10% of that energy is wasted. Additionally, EVs do not require petroleum extraction, refining of petroleum into gas, or transporting that gas to refueling stations across the world (Crider, 2020).

Zero Tailpipe Emissions: 

Secondly, EVs have lower life-cycle emissions as compared to gas cars, even when fueled by coal-powered energy (Patel, 2022). One major contributor to this fact is that they have zero tailpipe emissions (also known as direct emissions). This is also true for plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) when running off the battery. It should be emphasized that PHEVs have shorter electric ranges compared to all-battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and thus need to be charged more frequently to keep emissions low. If you forget to recharge your PHEV after running down the battery range, then you will be emitting fossil-fuel based tailpipe emissions. However, when running on the battery, EVs do not emit noxious gas created from the burning of fossil fuels in your engine. This lack of air-based pollution allows for cleaner air, less smog, fewer pollutants introduced in our waterways, and healthier and happier people! (Crider, 2020; Wilson 2020). Just imagine walking down a busy street and not coughing on the fumes of the heavy-duty pick-up idling next you. The future is bright!

Cleaner Electricity Grids = Fewer Indirect Emissions

Next, EVs can be fueled by renewable energy. If you have solar panels, pay for a renewable energy mix from your utility, or have an off-grid system, the electricity will not be associated with any fuel-based emissions! Likewise, as the Nation’s electric grid becomes increasingly renewable, your EV’s fossil fuel energy impact will likewise reduce. Currently, Colorado’s grid is still about 45% coal-based, however, with Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard, renewables are proliferating in the state, and coal power plants are continuing to shut down (Energy Information Administration, 2020).

Secondary Market Applications & Technological Advancements: 

What about the environmental impacts of battery manufacture and raw material extraction used to build the cars themselves? The pollution created through extractive processes and production for EVs are on par with or slightly higher than the manufacturing process of building an ICE vehicle (Ellsmoor, 2019). However, EV batteries are often reused in secondary applications, like serving as generator backup batteries. These secondary applications also reduce the need for more extractive mining, as precious resources can be reused in other markets (Ellsmoor, 2019).

Finally, remember that electric vehicles are still in the beginning stages of development. The design, manufacturing, and performance of EVs and their batteries continue to develop and improve every year (Reichmuth, 2020). As more EVs hit the road, there will be greater opportunity to study and improve how they perform in real-world applications. EVs will continue to improve in energy efficiency and performance—driving towards a greener horizon and leaving fossil-fueled cars in the rearview mirror.

Source 1: Johnna Crider “U.S Department of Energy: EVs Emit Fewer Emissions, Better for the Environment.” 19 October 2020. <https://cleantechnica.com/2020/10/19/u‑s-department-of-energy-evs-emit-fewer-emissions-better-for-the-environment/>.

Source 2: James Ellsmoor. 20 May 2019. “Are Electric Vehicles Really Better for the Environment?” Forbes. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesellsmoor/2019/05/20/are-electric-vehicles-really-better-for-the-environment/?sh=1767576a76d2>.

Source 3: Energy Information Administration, State Energy Data System. 19 March 2020 “Colorado Profile Overview”. <https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CO>.

Source 4: David Reichmuth. 11 February 2020. “Are Electric Vehicles Really Better for the Climate? Yes. Here’s Why” Union of Concerned Scientists. <https://blog.ucsusa.org/dave-reichmuth/are-electric-vehicles-really-better-for-the-climate-yes-heres-why>.

Source 5: Gustavo Henrique Ruffo “ICE Vs. EV — Do You Know How Inefficient Combustion Engines Are?” 10 January 2020. <https://insideevs.com/features/392202/ice-vs-ev-inefficient-combustion-engine/>.

Source 6: Kea Wilson. 28 October 2020. “Study: How Cars Are Making Us All Depressed (Even If We Don’t Drive)” StreetsBlogUSA <https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/10/28/study-how-cars-are-making-us-all-depressed-even-if-we-dont-drive/>.

Source 7: Prachi Patel. 13 January 2022. “In a comparison of life-cycle emissions, EVs crushed combustion cars” Anthropocene Magazine <https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2022/01/evs-crush-combustion-cars-even-when-weighing-emissions-from-battery-and-electricity-production/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evs-crush-combustion-cars-even-when-weighing-emissions-from-battery-and-electricity-production>

Myth: EVs are only accessible for the wealthy.

Myth Busted: There are programs and opportunities available that make owning an EV affordable for many.

With the electric vehicle market increasing in popularity, the cost of EVs is dropping much faster than expected. However, the upfront cost of buying an EV is still a barrier for many drivers. Luckily, there are several programs and strategies available that can make owning an EV less of a financial burden and help drivers contribute to clean air without breaking the bank.

Firstly, there are great tax credits and incentives provided federally and by the state to help make the upfront cost of buying an EV more manageable. The federal EV tax credit awards up to $7,500 for new electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles purchased after 2010 – if you are leasing a car, this credit can potentially lower your lease cost. Colorado has a $2,500 state tax credit that may be applied at purchase for many EV manufacturers as well as a $1,500 tax credit for EV leases of at least two years.

If tax credits don’t reduce the price enough, you don’t have enough tax liability, or if you’re not looking to buy a new vehicle, try the used EV market. Many car manufacturers have EV models available now, and the used EV market continues to grow as newer models are released. Typically, used EVs cost anywhere from 43% to 72% less than new ones and models 3 years or older can be found for less than $10,000.

In addition to purchase price reduction, utilities are also working to make owning electric vehicles more affordable. There are several Low to Moderate Income programs aimed at bringing low-cost charging to multi-family housing and businesses to make EVs and charging more accessible to low-income communities. Xcel Energy has tax credits and rebates available for their customers to help lower upfront costs for both EVs and charging infrastructure, and many other utilities in Colorado have similar programs.

As the world moves forward with EV innovation, equity continues to be a major focus. New proposals and ideas are emerging that aim to make EVs more accessible and affordable and there are many resources out there that can help you on your EV journey, including Drive Electric Colorado. If you have questions about these opportunities or EVs in general, don’t hesitate to contact us!

https://sustainableamerica.org/blog/making-evs-possible-for-low-income-drivers/

https://greenlining.org/resources/electric-vehicles-for-all/

https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/the-pros-and-cons-of-buying-a-used-ev.html

Myth: Eventually, you’ll need to replace the battery in your EV.

Myth Busted: EV batteries are designed to last 10–20 years, or up to 200,000 miles, so replacing an EV’s drive battery will be a rare occurrence.

EVs have multiple batteries: a drive battery responsible for powering the vehicle, a 12-volt battery that powers the vehicle’s electronics (the same type of battery in gas cars), and auxiliary or modular batteries, depending on the vehicle. In this myth buster, we’re focusing on the drive battery, which is found underneath the car and is responsible for charging and power.

Since EVs are still fairly new, they haven’t been around long enough for us to really know just how long their drive battery will last. It also depends on the model, and with so many EV models on the market today, there is a wider range of battery lifetime. EV batteries are expected to last longer than their gas car counterparts — up to 200,000 miles, which is longer than average lifetime of an internal combustion engine vehicle, which is around 150,000 miles¹. In fact, less than 1% of EV batteries have been replaced due to failure since model year 2015².

In the rare case of a faulty battery, a replacement should be covered under warranty. Currently, all automakers offer an EV battery warranty of up to eight years or 100,000 miles (with some manufacturers even exceeding this)³. While batteries do degrade over time, it is very minimal, at 1.8% annually on average. According to Inside EVs, “A 1.8% annual degradation rate means that in 20 years, the battery of an EV would theoretically still have 64% life in it.⁴” However, keep in mind that battery technology has come a long way from 10 years ago, and is constantly improving.

To prevent degradation and maximize the life of your EV battery, you can⁵:

• Charge at home instead of relying on fast chargers
• Maintain software updates regularly
• Keep your charge between 20–80%

For more information about battery replacement, degradation, and warranty, visit this article by Recurrent.

Sources:

1. “New Updates: How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?” Recurrent, 20 May 2024, www.recurrentauto.com/research/how-long-do-ev-batteries-last#:~:text=So%20far%2C%20it%20seems%20that,or%20damage%20to%20the%20pack.
2. “Electric Car Battery Life: Everything You Need to Know, Including How Long They Last.” Car And Driver, 10 May 2024, www.caranddriver.com/features/a31875141/electric-car-battery-life/.
3. “FOTW #1339, April 22, 2024: Plug-in Electric Vehicle Battery Replacements Due to Failure Have Been Very Rare Since Model Year 2015.” Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, 22 April 2024, https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/fotw-1339-april-22–2024-plug-electric-vehicle-battery-replacements-due.
4. “EV Batteries Can Outlast A Vehicle’s Lifetime With Minimal Degradation, Study Finds.” Inside EVs, 17 September 2024,
   https://insideevs.com/news/733987/ev-batteries-outlast-vehicle-degradation-study.
5. “Car Warranty Coverage on an Electric Car Battery.” U.S. News, 29 May 2024, cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/ev-battery-warranty).

Myth: You can’t run the A/C in an EV without killing your battery. 

Myth Busted: Running the A/C in an EV in 90°F weather results in a range loss of only 5% on average.

There are many instances that would lead people to believe that running the A/C in an EV would significantly deplete the battery range. For starters, it is known that EV range is impacted by cold weather temperatures, so why wouldn’t the same be true for hot weather temperatures?

In the winter time, there is a larger difference between a desirable temperature inside the car and outside. This requires more energy to balance the temperature inside your vehicle. However, in the summer time there is a much smaller difference between a desirable temperature inside the car and outside. So running the A/C in an EV is much less energy demanding than running the heat.

The required range intensity for cooling an EV can be further reduced through easy efforts such as utilizing sun shades, parking inside or in a shady spot, as well as cooling your EV while plugged in.

A battery analysis conducted on over 7,500 EVs found that running the A/C in 85°F (29°C) weather had little to no impact on the range. Even when the outdoor temperature rose to 90°F (32°C), the analysis indicated only a minimal average range loss of 5%. This analysis debunks the myth that you can’t run the A/C in an EV without killing your battery.

For more information and a further look into A/C impacts on range by vehicle make and model visit: https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/what-a-c-does-to-your-range?

Source: Hough, Blake. What A/C does to your range. Summer survival guide for electric cars. 

Myth: Insurance for EVs is more expensive because they are not as safe or reliable as gas cars. 

Myth Busted: EVs are no less safe or less reliable than gas cars. EV insurance increases slightly due to the developing technology. 

When you purchase insurance for your new electric vehicle, you may notice that your premium increases. We’ve had a few questions in recent weeks from Coloradans considering EVs about why that is.

Let me state it now: your car insurance does not increase when you own an EV because your car is in any way less safe or less reliable compared to your older gas model car.

Rather, the insurance costs increase because EVs are still a fledging industry and are more expensive to manufacture compared to internal combustion engines. This means that the cost to repair your electric vehicle after a collision or other accident is comparably more. EVs house expensive battery systems, which can require rare materials or equipment design to fix. Dealerships and car repair shops may not have the correct parts or equipment on hand to quickly fix your EV, so they may need to special order parts, which increases the cost and increases the wait time for repairs. Additionally, you may be paying more to cover the cost of the specialized maintenance or repair technician who has training with electric cars. Also, remember that even though your insurance premium may be higher, you will be saving on maintenance and fuel costs over the lifetime of the vehicle. Want to learn more about insuring electric vehicles? Check out this Bankrate article here.

As well, remember that electric vehicles are less complex machines, meaning there is less that can go wrong in a collision. Likewise, EVs are consistently rated as some of the top cars for safety in the United States. EVs have heavier chassis which can help prevent rollovers and have improved crumple zones due the lack of an engine in the hood of the car. If you are looking for a deep dive into EVs and safety, the EV Safety Advantage Report by CleanTechnica is a great resource. If you’d like to look up the particular safety ratings for a model you are interested in, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Rating’s database here.

While safety recalls do occur (most notably the recall of all Chevy Bolt EVs in 2021), these are rare. Yes, electric vehicles can catch fire, but they are much less likely to compared to your internal combustion engine. It’s important to remember that because EVs are an emerging technology, accidents, fires, and other incidents receive far more media scrutiny compared to the mundane gas car incidents.

Source 1: Hanley, Steve. More Than 150 Gas Car Fires Per Day — Can We Please Get Serious About Electric Car Battery Fires? CleanTechnica. 03 June 2019. https://cleantechnica.com/2019/06/03/500-gas-car-fires-per-day-can-we-please-get-serious-about-electric-car-battery-fires/.

Source 2: Posey, Mariah. Everything you need to know about insurance an electric vehicle. Bankrate. 05 August 2021. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/electric-car-insurance/.

Source 3: KBB Editors. Does it Cost More for Electric Car Insurance? 12 February 2021. Kelley Blue Book.  https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/is-there-any-difference-in-electric-car-insurance/.

Source 4: Shahan, Zachary. The EV Safety Advantage. CleanTechnica. July 2018. https://cleantechnica.com/files/2018/07/CleanTechnica-EV-Safety-Advantage-Report.pdf.

Myth: You can’t road trip in an EV.

Myth BUSTED: Yes, of course, you can! Road trips in an electric vehicle are definitely doable.

Road trips in an electric vehicle are really quite similar to those in a gas-powered car. There are a few considerations to take into account before you start your road trip, but knowing that you’re driving without any tailpipe emissions is a huge benefit.

Range: It’s important to know how far your car can go on a single charge. How far will you be driving and how often do you want to stop? These are crucial factors in planning your trip.

Route Planning: Depending on your car’s range and your trip length, you will need to plan out your charging stops ahead of time. The nice thing about charging is that many stations are conveniently located in areas that have shopping centers, restaurants, and/or bathrooms, making it easy to take a driving break or to stop for lunch while your car is charging. You can choose to stop at a Level 2 charger if you’ll be taking a longer break, or can top off quickly at a DC Fast Charger. Many EVs come with built-in navigation that can find charging locations along your route, but there are other options like Google Maps, PlugShare, and A Better Route Planner that EV drivers also use.

Time: It might take a little longer than you’re used to on your road trip due to charging times. However, some EV drivers find their travel time quite comparable especially if you stop at scenic locations or quaint downtowns worth taking the time to explore. Know that even if it does end up taking a little longer, you’re keeping our air clean and saving lots of money at the same time.

Still hesitant about road-tripping in an EV? It may not be the go-to choice for everyone, and that’s okay. Think about how frequently you’d expect to go on road trips with your car. While we still support the switch to an EV, it may make sense for you to opt for a plug-in hybrid instead or to simply rent out a different car for the trip. This way, you’ll have more flexibility with your electric range and will still be saving money in the long run by driving electric.

Read these blog posts and articles for road trip tips from EV drivers:

Mustang Mach‑E Road Trip: Denver to Santa Fe

What Fuels You: An Electric Road Trip and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Review

Driving an Electric Car on Colorado’s Scenic Byways

Myth: EVs depreciate faster than ICEs

Myth Busted: This is difficult to determine with the used electric car market being so new, but evidence does not show that most electric vehicles (EVs) have significantly faster depreciation or lower resale prices. Certain models, such as those from Tesla, seem to hold their value well while other EVs depreciate much faster than ICE vehicles. As the quality of these other models improve and there is a wider adoption, depreciation levels will likely become comparable.

However, as ICE vehicles begin to phase out, the reverse may happen. Some ICE vehicles will increase in resale value due to their desirability while others will depreciate faster. “In a scenario where both gasoline vehicles and EVs face a similar depreciation rate of 65% over 10 years, we see that US gasoline and electric SUVs have comparable 10-year ownership costs in 2028 over an average of 15,000 annual miles”.

Source: Mackenzie, Wood. “Electric Vehicles Can Help Save The Environment, But Can They Save The Owner Money?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 17 Nov. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/woodmackenzie/2020/11/17/electric-vehicles-can-help-save-the-environment-but-can-they-save-the-owner-money/?sh=140b1afb2922.

Myth: EVs are more prone to catch fire and more dangerous than gas cars.

Myth Busted: Just as it’s true that your gas car can catch fire, it is true that an electric vehicle (EV) can catch fire. However, EVs are some of the top-rated cars for safety and are less likely to catch fire compared to gas cars.

According to an investigation by Battelle for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “The propensity and severity of fires and explosions from … lithium-ion battery systems are anticipated to be somewhat comparable to or perhaps slightly less than those for gasoline or diesel vehicular fuels…”.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery fires are different from gasoline fires as they take time to achieve the necessary heat to ignite (called thermal runaway), whereas gasoline ignites immediately when it encounters a spark or flame. Because of this, Li-ion batteries have a significantly lower risk of causing a fire or explosion. When they do, it is usually a result of significant external damage. Battery packs in electric vehicles rarely encounter serious damage, and it is often the result of a highly unusual or severe accident.

https://www.edmunds.com/electric-car/articles/electric-car-fires.html#:~:text=The%20MSB’s%202023%20report%20found,fires%20during%20that%20same%20time.

Statistics from 2015 showed that 174,000 vehicle fires were reported, and almost all of them involved gasoline vehicles. Tesla claims that gasoline cars are 11x more likely to catch fire than a Tesla, and that the best comparison of safety is fires per billion miles driven. If we compare using this method, there are approximately five EV fires for every billion miles traveled, compared to 55 fires per billion miles traveled in gasoline cars. Although this analysis is promising, there is still not enough data on electric vehicles to make definitive comparisons at this point.

The technology used in EVs is specifically designed to prevent thermal runaway. The batteries are surrounded by a cooling shroud filled with liquid coolant to prevent them from overheating. If the batteries do manage to overheat even with the coolant, all EV batteries are installed in an array whose clusters are separated by additional firewalls to limit the amount of damage in the case of malfunction.  However, because Li-ion battery fires are still new to fire departments and emergency teams, it can take significantly more effort to tame the fire. Because Li-ion batteries have energy stored in the battery pack, thermal runaway can take over and cause the fire to flare for several hours, requiring significant amounts of water to get it under control.

While we have been seeing more reports in the news about Li-ion battery fires in Teslas and with the Chevy Bolt recall, it’s important to remember that EV battery fires garner significantly more news compared to when a gas engine catches fire. This is because of the increased scrutiny of the EV industry and the relative novelty of this technology. However, every fire is cause for concern and the car manufacturers are working to fix the problems, including the manufacturing defects found to increase risk of fire in the Chevy Bolts. To reduce the risk of fires in malfunctioning electric models, it is important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer, including maintaining a charge between 20–80% and avoiding leaving the car charging unattended overnight.

The most important thing to remember is that these are early days for developing EV battery technology and safety. As more research is completed and more data becomes available, these vehicles will become even safer.

Source 1: Isidore, Chris. “Are Electric Cars More Likely to Catch Fire?” CNNMoney, Cable News Network, 17 May 2018, money.cnn.com/2018/05/17/news/companies/electric-car-fire-risk/index.html.

Source 2: Hyatt, Kyle. “Electric Car Fires. What You Should Know.” Edmunds, 3 March, 2024, https://www.edmunds.com/electric-car/articles/electric-car-fires.html#:~:text=The%20MSB’s%202023%20report%20found,fires%20during%20that%20same%20time

Source 2: McConnell, Malcolm. “Are Electric Cars Safer in Collisions?” Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, 26 Sept. 2019, www.allenandallen.com/are-electric-cars-safer-in-collisions/.

Source 3: Morris, Charles. “Tesla says fire incidents are 11 times lower for its vehicles than for the average US vehicle.” Charged Magazine. 15 August 2021. https://chargedevs.com/newswire/tesla-says-fire-incidents-are-11-times-lower-for-its-vehicles-than-for-the-average-us-vehicle/.

Source 4: Crothers, Brooke. Are Electric Cars Safe? Another Chevy Bolt Caught Fire, A Tesla Model S Plaid Did Too. Forbes. 11 July 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brookecrothers/2021/07/11/are-electric-cars-safe-another-chevy-bolt-caught-fire-a-tesla-model-s-plaid-did-too/.

Source 5: Ramey, Jay. GM Recalls Every Chevy Bolt Made over Battery Fire Risk. Yahoo News. 23 August 2021. https://news.yahoo.com/gm-recalls-every-chevy-bolt-151300260.html.

Myth: EVs don’t drive well in winter weather.

Myth Busted: EVs are great in winter weather because of their weight distribution and maneuverability. There is no significant difference between driving an EV and driving an internal combustion other than a drop in range.

As Colorado drivers, one of the most important facets of buying a new car is knowing how well it drives in the winter. We get our fair share of ice and snow, especially up in the mountains, and we need vehicles that are reliable in this kind of weather.

With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more popular across the state, there is a question that needs to be answered: Do EVs drive well in the winter?

Electric vehicles are actually great cars for winter driving. This is because the weight is dispersed more evenly on the bottom of the vehicle, allowing for better handling and making them harder to flip. Additionally, many EVs have dual motors on the front and back axels, making for better maneuverability.

The only time EVs really struggle is on steep inclines or in very deep snow, something that all non-4WD vehicles experience. Putting winter tires on your EV or carrying snow chains, as you would for an internal combustion vehicle, helps tremendously.

While EVs don’t handle poorly in the winter, they do experience a drop in range in colder weather, mainly because driving on snow-covered roads requires more energy than dry pavement. The heater also drops the range by 10–15%. On the bright side, since it takes more energy to heat up your EV than it does to keep it at a higher temperature, you can minimize the drop in range by pre-heating your vehicle while it is still charging. It is important to note that internal combustion vehicles also experience a drop in range in the winter, but it is less pronounced compared to an EV.

Source: TransportEvolved. “Winter Weather and Electric Cars: Here’s What You Need To Know.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHI4YU6zmGA&feature=youtu.be.

Myth: You can’t off-road in an EV.

Myth Busted: The truth is, there are many EV models that come with AWD and towing capacity with more coming out soon. As technology improves, electric vehicles will have fewer limitations and will be more comparable to internal combustion cars. Several manufacturers have been increasing the capabilities of their EVs to accomplish incredible things, including Rivian and Ford.

Rivian has been doing some durability testing with their EV models. They’ve had test drivers off-road in the vehicles among Colorado’s own Rocky Mountains, trying out its “Off-Road Rock Crawl” feature and adjusting its ground clearance. It’s also been driven across the continental U.S. to test its range and ability to drive switchbacks and other terrain.

Ford is also testing their all-electric F‑150 truck, which will be available to consumers soon. To test its capabilities, they towed over 1 million pounds for 1,000 feet with a single all-electric truck, an incredible feat even for a gasoline vehicle.

2022 Rivian R1T | Review & Road Test

Ford: F‑150 Prototype

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpBMld6U9B0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXFHgoon7lg

Source 1: “2022 Rivian R1T | Review & Road Test” YouTube, YouTube, 28 September 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggu11EJo4L8. 

Source 2: Ford. “All-Electric F‑150 Prototype: Tows 1M+ Pounds | F‑150 | Ford.” YouTube, YouTube, 23 July 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXFHgoon7lg.

Myth: You need a smart phone to be able to charge at a public charger.

Myth BUSTED: You do not always need an app for that – you can use your credit card to pay for your charging session instead.

As more EV chargers are added to the national charging network, customers are experiencing increased complexities over how to access the power. The adage, “there’s an app for that,” comes into play here but the good news is you don’t always NEED an app for that.

First, I want to note that 90 percent of charging happens at home. When you charge on your 110‑V outlet or your 240‑V home Level 2 charger, you will be billed directly through your utility. Some utilities now offer specialized EV Charging programs with dedicated circuits that will clearly designate your EV charging costs from other electricity costs. Talk to your local utility about these options today!

If you do need to charge “in the wild,” you can download PlugShare or ChargeHub or simply type “EV Charger” into Google Maps to find nearby public chargers. Many EV drivers do download charging network apps like EVGo, ChargePoint, and Electrify America to access chargers. Some manufacturers have their own apps as well including Ford, Tesla, and Rivian. Using these apps is simple – you create an account and use the interface to register on the charging station which will recognize your account and bill you directly. Additionally, many of these networks will send you an RFID-card registered to your account. Virtually every charging network (of which there are many) has their own app. The benefit of using these apps would be to accrue membership points and benefits as a loyal customer as well as to protect your personal financial information, which may be subject to greater vulnerability with the use of magnetic reader strips as opposed to contactless payments.

However, if you are like me and you are averse to downloading 15 different apps for one purpose, you can access many charging stations with a credit card. I personally have used a credit card at a few different EVGo stations. That being said, some charging networks do not offer this, so it is smart to check before heading to one. You can see reviews from past users and ask questions on PlugShare’s website.

Finally, because many industry experts recognize the lack of interoperability between different charging networks is a barrier to access, there are currently efforts underway to create a universally accessible charging network using Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) software. The U.S. government is helping to smooth the wrinkles here as part of their goal to install 500,000 EV charging stations across America by 2030.

Written by Sonja Meintsma, Regional Director for Southern Colorado of Drive Clean Colorado

Sources

Blanco, S. and Nichols, B. 3 December 2019. “EV Charging Stations: Where to find them, what type you need, how to pay.” Car and Driver. <https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30031153/ev-charging-guide/>.

Whittaker, Zachary. 11 June 2019. “Card readers at electric vehicle charging stations will weaken security, researchers say.” Tech Crunch. <https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/11/electric-vehicle-charging-credit-card-fraud/>.

Yahoo Finance. 22 November 2021. “Major companies are calling for federal standards ensuring open access and simple payment methods for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.” <https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-companies-calling-federal-standards-165108789.html>.

Myth 1: You can’t drive an EV in the rain / You can’t get your EV wet

Myth 2: You can’t drive an EV through a puddle

Myth 3: You can’t charge your EV in the rain

Myth BUSTED: EVs are safe to drive through water and hold no threat of electric shock when wet due to battery insulation. Charging in the rain is safe and holds no threat of short-circuiting, sparks, or other dangers.

Even if you don’t know much about electric vehicles (EVs), the most important characteristic of this type of vehicle is immediately apparent: electric cars are, well, electric. EVs are charged off an outlet through an electric current. The energy is then stored in a battery somewhere in the frame of the car (typically on the bottom, front, or back of the vehicle, depending on the model).

One question that EV experts are commonly asked is a variation of “Is it safe to use/drive/charge my EV when it is raining or wet?” The short answer is “yes!”

In fact, electric cars pose no threat of electric shock and are not dangerous to drive in the rain. Likewise, EVs are safe to drive through water, including deep puddles (though, of course, we would not recommend trying to drive though floodwaters) (Perry, 2018.)

The batteries and accompanying electric systems in EVs are isolated and equipped with extensive safety systems that automatically shut off power and insulate the battery packs when a collision or short circuit is detected (Grabianowski, 2008). It is pretty much impossible, under normal working conditions, for water to come into direct contact with the batteries themselves (Grabianowski, 2008). Also, consider the fact that your current gas car has an electrical system! Your internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle includes electrical sound systems, electric and digital screens, and electric systems to run the lights. These systems do not short out or shock anyone when you are driving in the rain or through a large puddle. The same is true for an electric vehicle—in fact, it can be argued that the battery systems in electric vehicles are far more insulated than the battery pack currently sitting under your hood.

Additionally, EVs have been tested in deep water and can safely drive through deeper waters than ICE vehicles can (Grabianowski, 2008; Perry 2018). A quick YouTube search will bring up a plethora of videos featuring EVs driving through deep waters, “Electric cars are generally better than conventional cars when it comes to dealing with excess surface water. EVs work in a less complex way than fossil fuel powered cars, meaning that some of the traditional risks with taking cars through deep water no longer apply,” (Perry, 2018). One of the primary benefits of the EV design is a simpler, more efficient, less complex system with fewer moving parts. Fewer parts = less opportunity for malfunction.

Ok, so you can safely drive in the rain and through puddles. But what about charging your car in the rain?

Charging your car requires you to hook up the energy source (charger) with your car via an electric cord. Is it safe to charge in the middle of a rainstorm or snowstorm? Again, the short answer is, “yes!”

When you charge your EV, you are not exposed to the direct electrical current. Electricity will not flow through the charging station without being firmly locked into your car’s charge-port. Additionally, both residential and commercial charging stations are designed to protect you, your vehicle, and the charging equipment. Electric vehicle charging manufacturers want—and need—you to feel and be safe when charging your EV, “protective layers are incorporated into the design of charging station equipment, preventing any risk of short-circuiting, sparks, and other dangers,” (Grabianowski, 2008).

In the end, the most shock you’ll get when driving an electric vehicle is the surprised look on your face when you first feel the acceleration of instant torque on the highway. So buckle up and go check out an EV near you!

Source 1: Ed Grabianowski “Will I get shocked if I drive an electric car through a big puddle?” 18 August 2008.
HowStuffWorks.com. <https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/vehicles/electric-car-shock.htm>

Source 2: Tristan Perry “Is Driving an Electric Car Through Flood Water Safe?” 29 December 2018.  Green Car Future. <https://www.greencarfuture.com/electric/driving-through-flood-water>