Re: four elements for EV acceptance - or one alternative

[Brian Matheny <ws3f@norfolk-county.com>]

At 08:00 PM 12/28/1999 -0800, mperry@efn.org wrote:
>I'm not sure if this is true.  We assume EVs are less expensive at MPG ratings
>than ICEs. If we look at the inefficientcy of charging batteries (35%
>efficientcy for wet cells, I understand) then charging costs may be very close
>to the cost of gas, at today's artificially low prices.

More like 70% round-trip efficiency from outlet to wheels (35% from a barrel
of oil going to a power plant compared to 15% or so for the same barrel to
the wheels with an ICE.)  My real-world, not calculated, EV charging costs
are about 1/2 gas for the same number of miles.  Obviously battery
replacement costs wipe out any savings.

>The government is already giving us one cost-of-driving consideration that
isn't
>easily weighed in... the highway maintenance tax, added to each gallon of fuel.
>That's like filling your home's oil storage tank with #1 diesel, and driving
>your car on that fuel, while heating with an alternative.

Ever check the state and federal taxes on your power bill?  Fed gas (highway
maint) tax is still 17 cents/gal, state taxes vary widely and don't cover
the full cost of road maintenance in many states.  Some of your income and
sales taxes go to road maint.

-Brian  31,100+ EV miles since 5/97!  Renewable energy charging, soon!
http://www.ncounty.net/users/ws3f/ws3f.htm