Union Of Concerned Scientists: Electric Car Can Save Average Driver $770 A Year

December 1st, 2017 by Steve Hanley

This EV story about the Union of Concerned Scientists Study was first published by Gas2.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a new study that finds it is cheaper to drive an EV than a conventional car — about $770 a year cheaper, on average.

Let’s begin by acknowledging that numbers can be interpreted in many interesting ways and those savings may or may not apply to you and the way you drive. But looking at American drivers as a whole and adjusting for regional variations in electricity costs and other factors, that’s the number the UCS says it is comfortable with.

The study looked at electricity prices in 50 metropolitan areas in the US and researched what off-peak rate plans were available. It found that savings if a driver uses electricity instead of gasoline range from a low of $443 to a high of $1,077 a year. The difference between rates for electricity during peak periods and off-peak periods ranged from $0.03 per kilowatt-hour to $0.21 per kilowatt-hour. You can investigate the city nearest to where you live by clicking on the link above. Tesla was impressed enough by the report to tweet about it to its millions of Twitter followers.

New @UCSUSA study shows that across the US, driving an electric car is not just cleaner, but costs less to drive than a gasoline car https://t.co/OAAO2H9CCM — Tesla (@Tesla) November 30, 2017

The status of EV incentives is up in the air right now due to the scramble by members of Congress to jump to the tune called by the Koch Brothers and their greed-crazed ilk on tax cuts to benefit the super rich, but UCS has advice for those interested in purchasing an electric car regardless of what feckless leaders in Washington do.

Evaluate the ability to get electric power where you intend to park an EV.

Find out about rate options available for charging an EV, especially whether your electric provider offers time-of-use rates.

Research the availability of state, local, and electricity-provider incentives for buying an EV or EV charging equipment.

It also has a list of recommendations for policymakers and utility company managers.

Access to lower-cost electricity rate plans are key to making EVs a reliable and affordable alternative to gasoline vehicles.

Access to reliable and public charging, especially fast-charging stations, are needed for those drivers who cannot charge at home and those who must drive long distances.

Public policies that improve charging options at apartments and multi-unit dwellings will broaden the base of drivers who can choose an EV.

Making separate rates for EV and household electricity available could lower the cost for EV charging for more consumers.

Rate plans, pricing mechanisms, and smart-charging technologies that encourage the coordination of EV charging with the availability of renewable electricity sources will decrease charging costs and further reduce heat-trapping emissions.

In other words, EV incentives are not the only reason to buy an electric car. Lower maintenance costs and lower operating costs combine to save EV drivers money. That’s the bottom line. As the price of electric cars continues to fall, local governments and utilities must do their part to create an environment that makes driving an electric car worry free. In the end, EVs have to be as convenient to drive as conventional cars if the transition from fossil fuels to EVs is to be successful.

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