Electric vehicles: a driving force for a cleaner energy future
Arizona Public Service News
Electric vehicles are growing in popularity. A recent study by Consumer Reports revealed 36 percent of prospective car buyers would consider an EV for their next new car.
Do you fall within this group? If so, discover the buzz surrounding EVs during this year’s National Drive Electric Week.
“When people get into an electric vehicle, they’re just amazed,” said Kathy Knoop, an APS Energy Innovation Advisor. “When people think of electric vehicles, they typically think of a golf cart, or something like that, and that they’ll be limited to going 40 miles per hour. Today’s electric vehicles aren’t like that at all. They offer a driving experience like none other. EVs accelerate immediately, and their performance, and the quiet, is just astounding.”
Believe it or not, there are 45 EV models currently on the market, and Knoop said that number will balloon to 120 by the end of 2023. Tesla, Nissan and General Motors are some of the manufacturers providing popular EV options. And, Knoop said, look for EV trucks and SUVs to debut within the next three years.
“When people think of electric vehicles, they typically think of a golf cart, or something like that, and that they’ll be limited to going 40 miles per hour. Today’s electric vehicles aren’t like that at all. They offer a driving experience like none other."
-Kathy Knoop, an APS Energy Innovation Advisor
While some people are driving far less during this year’s National Drive Electric Week, others are still taking to the road regularly or replacing other forms of travel with longer road trips. If you’re in the market for a new or replacement car, EVs can help trim budgets over the long-term by lowering the cost to fuel the car over its lifetime.
“Gasoline prices go up and down, and are all over the place,” Knoop said. “Meanwhile, electric prices are really consistent compared to inflation. So, if you look at the cost of using electricity to charge a battery to power a vehicle versus the cost of gasoline, there’s typically a huge cost savings there.”
Beyond economics, EVs are a driving force in ensuring a cleaner energy future for Arizona.
“When you’re burning gasoline, there are 20 pounds of carbon per gallon of gasoline. That will never change,” Knoop said. “Your car may get more efficient so you can get more miles to the gallon, but a gallon of gas will still continue to emit the same amount of carbon. When you’re driving an electric vehicle, as utilities’ resource mixes get cleaner for powering that car, you’re continually reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses you emit into the air.”
The number of EVs in the APS service territory is about 16,000 and growing, so we’re revving up our support of the infrastructure that drivers need for a reliable EV experience.
With the Take Charge AZ pilot program, we cover the cost of installing and maintaining Level 2 EV charging equipment at businesses, government agencies, non-profits and multifamily communities. The customer pays for the energy used by the chargers, which will be metered separately on their best plan, and we encourage customers to fuel up when energy prices are lower, including mid-day when solar energy is abundant.
“Our goal is to have 300 to 400 Level 2 charging ports across our service territory in Arizona by the end of 2021,” Knoop said.
Other EV benefits include all-day, everyday use of carpool (HOV) lanes – even if driving alone – for 100 percent battery electric vehicles. Also, your home is your primary fuel station.
Those considering buying an EV can visit aps.com/evs and check out the consumer guide from the Electric Power Research Institute. Browse it to see if there are any EV models that pique your interest and fit your budget. If so, contact a local dealer and go for a test drive. It’s a great way to celebrate National Drive Electric Week – and show your support for Arizona’s clean energy future!