FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SLIDE 1

Introduction

• What is the difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid?
• Are electric vehicles dependable?
• How expensive are electric vehicles?
• How far can an electric vehicle travel on one charge?
• How fast can an electric vehicle go?
• Doesn't the electricity used to charge the batteries contribute to pollution from coal power plants?
• Can electric vehicles be charged from a solar source?
• Are there tax credits or purchase incentives for electric vehicles?

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 2

What is the difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid?

The primary difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid is that the EV draws its power from electricity stored in batteries where as the hybrid draws its energy from the combustion of liquid fuels.

The benefits of electricity are that it is cleaner, cheaper, and available domestically.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 3

Are electric vehicles dependable?

Yes. EVs require less regular maintenance than gasoline vehicles and have the potential to last as long or longer. They have fewer moving parts and therefore less ongoing preventative maintenance. They don't require smog tests or oil changes; they don't have an engine, transmission, spark plugs, valves, fuel tank, tailpipe, distributor starter, muffler, or catalytic converter. Compare that to a gasoline vehicle where even if it is maintained in pristine condition, eventually it will need a new engine.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 4

How expensive are electric vehicles?

EVs are currently more expensive than gasoline vehicles but as more EVs are produced, the cost should come down to the level that gasoline vehicles are at today. Additionally federal and state tax credits may significantly offset the costs of purchasing an EV.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 5

How far can an electric vehicle travel on one charge?

EVs can travel between 40 - 100 miles on one charge depending on the weight of the vehicle, number of batteries, and the type of driving i.e. hilly terrain. An EV equipped with special batteries could exceed 100 miles. Most drivers go 40 miles in a day so this would accomplish their driving needs.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 6

How fast can an electric vehicle go?

Many highway-capable electric vehicles are electronically limited to 90 mph or less. Depending on the EV, most can cruise at highway speeds of 55-65 mph, though there is a class of low-speed vehicles restricted to 25 mph or less.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 7

Doesn't the electricity used to charge the batteries contribute to pollution from coal power plants?

The EV is more efficient than a gasoline vehicle, so the amount of pollution generated by producing the electricity to power an EV is much less than the pollution from a gasoline vehicle. Even with 50% of U.S. power coming from dirty coal plants, EVs still reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with gasoline vehicles due to so much of the pollutants emitting from the tailpipe. Coal power plants, as dirty as they may be, are more efficient and less polluting than gasoline vehicles due to efficiency of scale at which they convert fossil fuels to electricity. A gasoline vehicle or one powered by ethanol, biodiesel, or hydrogen, can only make use of about 20% of the energy that it consumes compared to an EV being able to put more than 80% of the energy it consumes for operation.

Where gasoline vehicles get dirtier as they age, EVs get cleaner as the electrical grid gets cleaner. Also EVs can run on power generated from 100% clean renewable electricity from wind or solar power.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 8

Can electric vehicles be charged from a solar source?

Yes. It is possible to recharge the EVs batteries through solar panels on ones' home or from a rooftop solar panel generating virtually no pollution.

Other renewable energy sources likey hydropower, geothermal and wind power can also be tapped.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAQ

SLIDE 9

Are there tax credits or purchase incentives for electric vehicles?

There are new tax credits allowing for up to $7,500 in tax credits. EVs with at least a 4-killowatt hour battery back will be eligible for a $2,500 tax credit with an additional $417 for each additional kilowatt hour battery pack up to $7,500. Additionally there may be further tax incentives state by state. For example Oregon is working on a tax credit worth up to $5,000 towards the purchase of an EV. This would be in combination with the federal tax credit.