At 22:24 19/09/02 -0700, you wrote: >>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. <snip> >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.) >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.
Not forgetting that the real cost of petrol in the US is higher than the pump price (others have gone through this, I'll leave it alone). The price of the energy to run an EV or an ICE varies radically internationally. Here in Australia we are paying around AU95 cents per litre - about $2.30US per gallon (unless my maths is out). Electricity is around AU12 cents per kWh, around 6.5 cents US (and hydro here). So on our electricity is the same price as your off peak, and our petrol price is double - so EVs will be half the comparitive cost to run than in the US. I believe that petrol in the UK is around four times the price as in the US, but I have no idea as to their electricity price, so I don't know how that compares (someone in the UK to comment??). Regards James
