Comments on: Electric vs. Gas Cars: Is It Cheaper to Drive an EV?

By: Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 17:17:07 +0000

Good article. But as I always notice, these ‘Are EV’s cheaper’ articles never include one IMPORTANT (IMO) saving aspect. The time to refuel. Because if we talk to a non-EV driver, they will say the ‘time to charge’ is one negative factor that may be discouraging them. Yet for many folk who actually drive an EV, they will say it’s a big benefit to not HAVE to refuel.

When asked how long it takes to charge my Tesla, I often say it’s about 30 seconds. Because I plug in, go to sleep, and unplug in the morning. Even factoring in some long distance driving (where charging might take a little longer than gas, albeit not by much with toilet and food stops vs ‘holding the gas nozzle’ time).. it’s vastly faster to charge an EV than a gas car. It’s about how much time you actually spend, not how long the process takes.

Time is money. So please, for articles that cover EV savings, there is a benefit to not ‘have’ to regularly drive to a gas station, and stand holding a smelly nozzle. If we measure ‘productive time’, then driving an EV which is usually recharged at home but some long distance Supercharging – will have a lot less productive time used than a gas car.

I would have happily paid well over $300 a year for a ‘service’ to magically keep my old gas car full every day, without me ever needing to worry about it. But now with Tesla, I get this ‘productive time benefit’ free. It comes with the car, just like magic. Now I have more hours free. Thanks Tesla. This benefit should be financially costed into the savings.

By: Terence Conklin

Terence Conklin — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 05:18:42 +0000

Teslas certainly hold the leader position due to their charging network with other brands trying hard to catch up. In Europe, our “Home charging” is 240 VAC so we are lucky from the get go. The future will be driven by the energy business vying for the recharging stations used. Tesla again holds most of the cards.

By: William Fitch

William Fitch — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:51:41 +0000

“But these savings calculations aren’t the same for everyone. Here’s where it can get a little complicated.
For starters, EVs can vary in efficiency—that is, how far they can go on the same amount of electricity. For an EV, efficiency is measured by how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity it consumes per 100 miles—similar to a gas-powered car’s miles-per-gallon stat. (A lower kWh/100 miles rate is better.) The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a standout in terms of efficiency, with 24 kWh/100 miles, but the more budget-friendly 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is comparable, with a 29 kWh/100 miles rating. So make sure to consider this factor when comparison shopping.”

What the hell!! This is so misrepresentative… I.E. The variance between.
4.167 miles per KWH VS 3.448 miles per KWH (Hyun VS Bolt) are mostly because of vehicle design differences that have nothing to do with the electric aspect.
Its like bringing attention to the gas mileage difference of a ford 150 VS a Volkswagen Jetta and saying you have to watch out for this with gas cars.
Weight, rolling friction and aerodynamic friction have inherently nothing to do with the choice of how you propel the vehicle. Those are the factors that determine the efficiency of an object at any given velocity or acceleration, not if its gas or electric.

Who’s “side” is the NRDC suppose to be on here???
Those verbal statements with their associated slippery and slithery constructions, is what I have come to expect from the FFI….

ALL CARS CAN VARY IN EFFICIENCY!!!

In fact if you really want to get factual about it, EV’s are totally transparent and stable (Non varying) about how much energy they use, compared to ICE which hide the actual huge energy need of traveling at high speed (Combustion efficiency goes all over the place with load) compared with around town driving.
People for decades and decades have been exposed to an energy dynamic that makes them think a vehicle needs more energy to drive around town than on the I-80 at 70MPH!! From a Physics perspective, absurd!! Why do they think that? Because they had higher fuel usage around town than on the interstate. EV’s do not lie regarding that. You drive faster, you use more energy as is necessary to reality and the rules of movement. Around town, next to nothing…