Re: four elements for EV acceptance - or one alternative

["PETER VANDERWAL" <peterv@peoplepc.com>]

> 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.
>

This subject pops up from time to time.  The cost of fuel for an EV vs and
ICE is not an absolute, by that I mean you can't say that fuel for an EV is
always cheaper (or more expensive) than fuel for an ICE.  It depends on the
relative costs of the fuels.

There is a rough way of figuring the costs:  basically it's 10kw of
electricity to 1 gallon of gas(or deisel).  So if you can buy 10kw of
electricity for less than 1 gal of gas then EVs are cheaper, if not then
ICEs are cheaper.

Here in the US most of the EVs are on the west coast (I would be suprised if
there are more EVs on the west coast than the rest of the country combined).
On the west coast electricity tends to be very cheap (under $0.10 / kw,
sometimes as low as $0.04 / kw)  and gas is very expensive (frequently over
$1.50 / gal on my last trip through CA I saw it up to $1.80 ).  So for most
folks in the US EVs are cheaper.

Note: these numbers assume we are comparing an EV to a similar ICE, not the
average EV to the average gas guzzeling SUV.

> I'm not sure if maintenance costs are really so much less than an ICE.
The only

Even if you ignore the (currently) higher up front costs for EVs...battery
replacement will probably make them more expensive than ICEs.  Especialy
with the current crop of ICEs that come with such long term warranties (up
to 10 years).


> real difference is in the operation of the ICE components as compared to
the
> cost of motors.  You don't have the pollution devices, the inspections of
> vehicle (often $1.75 per mile) to ensure these are working, oil changes
and
> such.

Very good point, and many states are now going to pollution checks.

> batteries and components would weigh in very close to the cost of
overhauling an
> ICE... it's just that these costs come due sooner, but at less of a total
> expense.  (Who bothers to rebuild an engine in a 8 year old car, for a
cost of
> $2500, when they can just buy a new car???)  In the EV, you would be
looking at

    What kind of a car do you drive? :-)
    Well I guess if you are paying someone to do all the work (including
removal and replacement) then an engine rebuild could hit $2500.  Still with
batteries packs costing $1,000 to $2,000 by the time you paid someone to
remove and replace your batteries the cost would be the same or similar.
    Only difference is that you'd be replacing batteries packs about every
3-5 years vs engine rebuilds every 10-20 years.  Or looking at it another
way battery pack last about 30,000 miles or so (unless they are WAY
oversized or undersized).  Typically engines today last 150,000-250,000
miles before needing rebuilds.  In fact some new engines don't even need
tune ups untill 100,000 miles.