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What Types of Vehicles Use Electricity?
Electric Vehicles (EVs) come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
They can be light-duty delivery vehicles or heavy-duty trams and
buses. Because the range of an EV (approximately 80 miles) is
limited by weight, design, and the type of battery used, EVs are
particularly well suited to short-distance, high-use
applications—those that demand frequent starts and stops. In
addition, many EV models satisfy Energy
Policy Act vehicle acquisition requirements for fleets.
Some manufacturers produce neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs),
which use similar battery technology and are often used in limited
on-road fleet applications. NEVs are zero emission vehicles, but
most do not satisfy EPAct requirements for fleets. See our neighborhood
electric vehicles page for more detail on NEVs.
In an EV, batteries and other energy storage devices are used
to store the electricity that powers the electric motor in the
vehicle. EV batteries must be replenished by plugging in the
vehicle to a power source. Some EVs have on-board chargers; others
plug into a charger located outside the vehicle, but both must use
electricity that comes from the power grid to replenish the
battery. Although electricity production may contribute to air
pollution, an EV is a zero emission vehicle and its motor produces
no exhaust or emissions.
Vehicle Availability
 You
can find vehicle listings and specifications on our list of
current model year electric
vehicles. Although the number of EVs offered by manufacturers
is not large, EV technology has been key in the development of hybrid
electric vehicles and will continue to be so as fuel cell
vehicles come to market. Another important result of the
development of EV technology has been the steady growth of the neighborhood
electric vehicle market.
The largest concentration of EVs is in California and the
western United States.
Fuel Availability
Most homes, government facilities, fleet garages, and
businesses have adequate electrical capacity for charging EV
batteries. Special hookups or upgrades may be required.
Public charging facilities have been developed in many areas,
including southern California and Arizona, where EVs are most
numerous.
The time required to charge EV batteries is an important issue
for the EV market. In-home charging can be slow and may take as
long as 8 hours. High-power, fast-charging equipment is available
and can reduce charging time to 2-4 hours. Placement of charging
facilities in shopping centers, workplaces, and homes can reduce
the inconvenience as batteries can charge while drivers are
shopping, working, or sleeping.
Visit the Refueling Station
Locator page to find electric recharging locations.
Vehicle Experience
Electric vehicles have been used in several fleet applications
including airline ground service and baggage handling, internal
transit for national parks, and university and business campus
security. Visit the fleet
success story section or the niche
market pages to see how some of these fleets use electricity.
Costs
Initial commercial production electric vehicles are priced
from $15,000 to $40,000. Individuals and businesses that purchase
electric vehicles may qualify for a federal tax credit if they
meet the requirements established by the IRS in Publication
535. Many states also offer incentives for the purchase of
alternative fuel vehicles. Query our State
Incentives and Laws database to find incentives in your state.
Another cost consideration is the warranty on battery pack
replacement. The cost will depend on the type of batteries and the
replacement interval.
Generally, electricity costs less per mile than gasoline, so
fueling EVs can be economical. Please note that local utility
rates vary and that installation of equipment at charging
locations may involve additional expense.
Service requirements for EVs are fewer than those for
gasoline-powered vehicles. EVs don't require tuneups, oil changes,
timing belts, water pumps, radiators, fuel injectors, or
tailpipes. They do, of course, require battery maintenance.
Electric batteries have a limited number of charging cycles
(the number of times a battery can be charged and discharged) and
will typically need to be replaced within 3-6 years. Different
types of batteries (such as lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, and
lithium-ion) are available depending on the manufacturer and the
vehicle.
Auto suppliers will assist fleets with maintenance training
for EVs. Some colleges also offer training for EV (and other
alternative fuel vehicle) mechanics.
Safety
EVs meet all federal motor vehicle safety requirements. The
batteries are sealed and all high-voltage circuits are protected
from casual contact. In addition, high-voltage circuits are
marked, color coded, and posted with warnings. Most emergency
response teams are trained for handling EVs in case of accidents.
Benefits
EVs are zero emission vehicles, meaning they produce no
tailpipe or evaporative emissions that contribute to air pollution
and global warming (although electricity production is not
pollution-free). As zero emission vehicles, EVs help manufacturers
meet California Air Resources Board standards that require
incremental reductions in passenger car fleet emissions.
The cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour usually compares
favorably to that of gasoline, but varies depending on location.
Check out the latest edition of the Alternative
Fuel Price Report, or contact your local utility for regional
electricity prices.
More than 95% of the electricity used to charge EVs originates
from domestic resources, so driving an EV reduces the nation's
dependence on imported oil.
As mentioned previously, EVs require less service because they
don't need oil and they have no timing belts, water pumps,
radiators, fuel injectors, or tailpipes.
EVs are permitted to drive in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV)
lanes in most states regardless of the number of occupants. Check
our State
Incentives and Laws database to determine whether this applies
in your state.
Performance
Well-designed EVs can travel at the same speeds as
conventional vehicles and provide the same safety and performance
capabilities. In some instances, the EVs have better acceleration
because of the characteristics of motors at low speeds.
The range for EVs, however, is more limited than conventional
vehicle ranges, and spans from 50 to 130 miles. Variables include
the vehicle's weight, engineering, design, type of battery,
weather extremes, and the use of heating and air conditioning.
Additional Resources
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