>This brings up a point that many people interested in EVs are wondering. >Are EVs cheaper to operate than ICEs. In power used, clearly yes. >Electricity cost less than gas except a very few situations in the USA (gas >has to drop in price to find them). But battery life (lead acid) eats into >the ICE maintainance budget pretty quick. Like $900 to $1500 every 20k to >30k miles worth (3 to 7.5 cents per mile). Now add in a penny or 2 per mile >for electricity. Compare this to gas costs for a similar size vehicle. Its >not very favorable, however I think the EV wins if >1/2 your trips are less >than 10 miles each way (ICE maintainance costs start to dominate, its quite >hard on them). That last part describes me, and many people living in an >urban setting (and some in a suburban setting).
Your prices probably only apply to a small number of EV users. The average EV probably gets 2 to 3 miles per KW (from the outlet), many conversions and even some OEM EVs get less than 2 miles per KW (remember to figure in equalization charges, etc.) According to the DOE http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/infosheets/electricityprices.htm The national average cost of electricity to the consumer in 2000 was 8.2 cents per KW. That means the energy costs are (on average) at least twice what you mentioned. More likely 3 to 4 cents (average) going up to 6 or 7 cents for some. We have had reports on this list of people in California paying 25 cents or more per kw and when I lived in Illinois I paid 13 cents per kw (and that was 6 years ago). This means that the potential cost could be as much as 20 cents per mile for EVs. FWIW if you pay 4 cents per mile in the EV and gas costs $1.30 per gallon, fuel costs for an economy car are roughly the same as an EV. I used to get approx 3 miles per KW, now as the batteries are getting old I'm closer to 2 miles per kw. Normal rates for electricity here are $0.10 but I have a TOU meter so I only pay $0.064 per kw (off peak). That means right now my 19 mile commute costs me about $.50 Still cheaper than gas for the Escort, but not much. If I still lived in Illinois the escort would win hands down. I do agree with your point about really short commutes. Another factor to consider on those is that the ICE barely has time to warm up so it's not running at max efficiency for most of the trip, EVs on the other had run at max efficiency pretty much all the time. They also are much more efficient than your average ICE when waiting at stoplights and traffic jams.
