Electric Cars

The early history of the automobile mirrored many technological format wars, like AC vs. DC, VHS vs. Betamax, cassettes vs. 8-track. For several years, electric-, gas- and steam-powered vehicles shared the streets of the world, each vying to be the dominant technology. Gasoline and oil have ruled for over 100 years, but with advancements in technologies and changes in resources, electric cars are poised to take back the crown of king of the road. The Earliest Vehicles Around 1835, Robert Anderson of Scotland built what can only be described as an electric wagon. In the United States, blacksmith Thomas Davenport designed a toy electric locomotive on rails, powered by a motor he constructed. Robert Davidson built a life-size electric locomotive named “Galvani” in 1842. It had four wheels, was powered…

To a consumer new to the electric car and hybrid market, the breadth of options available can be overwhelming, especially when industry-specific acronyms and jargon are widely used. In broad terms, there are four different kinds of electric cars and hybrid vehicles available in 2023: hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric. Although each represents different levels of fuel economy and reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions, all of them epitomize a rapidly changing industry fueled by state-of-the-art technology and advanced engineering. Here are a few ways the four types differ. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) These started the electric car revolution in the early 2000s with the introduction of the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. Though HEV means “Hybrid Electric Vehicle” and that term can be used as an umbrella over all…

KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS › AC (Alternating Current) An electric current that reverses direction at regular intervals. › AER (All-Electric Range) The distance an EV is able to go solely using electricity. › AEV (All-Electric Vehicle) Also called BEV (Battery-Electric Vehicle). A vehicle that runs on an electric motor only, using onboard batteries that you can plug in and recharge. › Amp A unit of electric current. › BEV (Battery-Electric Vehicle) Also called AEV (All-Electric Vehicle). A vehicle that runs on an electric motor only, using onboard batteries that you can plug in and recharge. › BMS (Battery Management System) Any electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery by monitoring and reporting on its state. › Charging Point The location where EVs can be plugged in and charged. › Charging Station A collection of charging points used to charge many…

HELPFUL WEBSITES Electric Charging Stations in the U.S. afdc.energy.gov/stations#/find/nearest Current Tax Credits and Incentives afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ELEC PHEV Fuel Calculator fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=phev1Prompt Which EV/Hybrid is Right for You? gis.its.ucdavis.edu/evexplorer/#!/locations/start 21 Percentage of decrease in emissions from electricity production since 1990 BESTSELLING ELECTRIC CARS IN THE U.S. (FIRST 9 MONTHS, 2022) 1 Tesla Model Y 191,451 2 Tesla Model 3 156,357 3 Ford Mustang Mach-E 28,089 4 Tesla Model S 23,464 5 Chevy Bolt EV/EUV 22,012 6 Tesla Model X 19,542 7 Hyundai Ioniq 5 18,492 8 Kia EV6 17,564 9 Rivian R1T 11,581 10 VW ID4 11,072 35 MILLION ESTIMATED NUMBER OF EVS ON THE ROAD IN THE U.S. BY 2030 79,935 Number of hybrid cars sold in the U.S. in November 2022 (up 31% from November 2021) 816,154+ Number of EVs and…

Though gas prices have begun to settle in 2023, more and more people are still looking to trade in their traditional gas-powered family car for an electric one. Electric cars have been attracting potential buyers since they were first introduced, as environmentally conscious consumers have been looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and leaving gas behind is a step in the right direction. However, concerns such as electricity costs, range, battery longevity and the locations of charging stations have kept more than a few from making the jump into the electric car marketplace. So, is an electric car right for you and your family? Range and Daily Driving The most important factor among consumers interested in purchasing an EV is the range. Will it have enough power to…

A report by the International Energy Agency has estimated that there will be 350 million electric vehicles on the world’s roads by 2030, a mere seven years away. One of the largest changes these new electric car drivers will experience is in the way they fill up their tanks. Most drivers today know how far they can get on a tank of fuel, but “refueling” an EV works differently. It’s not a complicated task, but there will be a learning curve. Expanding Locations Though charging stations may look few and far between today, the federal and local governments, as well as a handful of private energy corporations, are dedicating billions of dollars to fund vast networks of them across the nation. Today, there are 18 electric cars per public charging…