Electric Vehicles

• Battery ranges can go up to 300 miles or more on a full charge, depending on the model.
• According to various surveys, EVs are very responsive and can accelerate quickly, a common misconception. 
• Prices have come down and manufacturers continue to release models with higher ranges. 
• There are many public charging stations across Iowa.

Check out this article to see if an electric vehicle is right for you.

Types of Electric Vehicles

EV Options

There are more than 40 different models and brands of electric vehicles available today. Here are some examples:

SUVs (Tesla Model X & Y, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Kona, BMW X5 E)

Trucks (Ford F-150, Rivian Pickup, Workhorse W15)

Sedan (Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, Honda Clarity, Hyundai Ioniq)

Van (Chrysler Pacifica)

What is the cost to own and operate an EV vs. a gas-powered vehicle?

While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can have higher purchase prices, incentives and rebates are available, and these vehicles have lower operating costs.

Touchstone Energy calculated the annual energy costs and savings for owning an EV vs. a gas-powered vehicle. Assumptions include driving the vehicle 15,000 miles a year, with 225 days of 50 miles and 50 days of 75 miles. Fuel economy numbers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and average energy costs from the U.S. Energy Information Administration were used.

Comparing an EV to a gas-powered vehicle that gets 25 mpg, the gas-powered vehicle would cost approximately $1,320 for gas per year.

• A typical BEV would save $730 in energy costs per year; electricity costs would be less than half the cost of gasoline.
• A typical PHEV would save $600 per year when combining the cost of gas with the cost of electricity to operate the vehicle.

BEVs tend to have much lower maintenance costs because of their simplicity (e.g., fewer moving parts). PHEVs are more complex, with both gas and electric components, but maintenance costs can still be less than gas-powered vehicles. For example, thanks to regenerative braking, the brake system experiences reduced wear.

There are 3 major categories of chargers based on the amount of power the charger provides:

Level 1: Provides the slowest charge, around 3 to 5 electric miles per hour. Even at this slow speed, however, the majority of electric vehicle owners plug in at home to refuel.

Level 2: Commonly found in public locations, including shopping centers, downtown areas, multifamily communities and workplaces. Level 2 charging stations can also be installed at home if a 240-volt outlet is available. Level 2 charging is three to five times faster than Level 1 and provides 10 to 20 electric miles per hour. It is a great option for public locations where people may be parked for a few hours and can charge their vehicle.

DC Fast Charge: Provides an opportunity for a very quick charge. These stations are capable of charging a depleted electric vehicle’s battery to 80 percent capacity in under 30 minutes. DC Fast Charge stations are usually located in high-traffic public areas. Recently, more of these stations have been installed at gas stations across the country, where drivers can stop for a quick break while on road trips.

Plugging it In

Please program your vehicle so it will not charge during the peak period of 4-9 PM whenever possible. This will help keep costs down for the Cooperative and help keep rates low. Consider contacting us BEFORE purchasing a charger to be sure you have the proper electrical equipment installed and can charge at optimal times.

Charging Station Locations

Visit PlugShare - www.plugshare.com

Vehicles

A Federal tax credit for new, qualified electric vehicles may be available for up to $7,500 and used electric vehicles may qualify for a tax credit of up to $4,000. To learn more, contact your tax adviser or visit the IRS page.

Chargers

Midland Power offers a rebate of up to $500 on Level II chargers. Visit our rebates page for more information.