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will utilities benefit from electric cars

by Aric Cummerata Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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At the end of the day, if utilities can find a way to participate in the EV charging business, it could be a boon for them long term. EVs will drive a big increase in consumption of electricity and that would be great for business. Plus, they may make the grid more stable.

EVs can offer sizable benefits to utilities, but only if they start preparing now. With a forecast of 9.6 million electric vehicle (EV) charging ports required by 2030, utilities need to take a proactive approach to preparing for these new loads.

Full Answer

What are the benefits of electric vehicles?

In the US, more than 20% of emissions come from light-duty vehicles, so encouraging EVs could improve air quality and the health of urban residents • Lower mobility costs. As battery prices fall, EVs will soon provide cheaper mobility for fleets and individuals.

Can utilities make money on electric vehicles?

If you're a U.S. utility, the first thing you want is people to use more electricity. Electric vehicles by definition need electricity, so utilities should push for as many EVs on the road as possible, plain and simple. But that's not where the opportunity to make money on EVs ends.

Should utilities innovate on the electric car?

But the idea of innovation in utilities may be as novel as the electric car itself. If you're a U.S. utility, the first thing you want is people to use more electricity. Electric vehicles by definition need electricity, so utilities should push for as many EVs on the road as possible, plain and simple.

How can we reduce the cost of electric vehicles?

Prices are likely to equalize with conventional vehicles, as production volumes increase and battery technologies continue to mature. Also, initial costs can be offset by fuel cost savings, a federal tax credit, and state and utility incentives.

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Do electric cars increase your bills?

Charging an electric car will typically add $30 to $60 a month to your utility bill. Electric cars are generally cheaper to fuel and maintain than conventional cars, although they may cost more to buy. Some utility companies offer discounts for electric car owners.

How much electricity would be needed if all cars were electric?

If all US cars were EVs, they would need a total of 1,106.6TWh, which is 27.6% of what the American grid produced in 2020. US electricity consumption hasn't shrunk in the same way since 2005 as it has in the UK, but it is clearly not unfeasible for all American cars to be EVs.

What benefit would electric cars bring to the economy?

EVs provide economic benefits to the state by reducing fuel costs and shifting consumption away from imported oil to more locally produced electricity sources. These fuel savings become additional disposable income that will be spent mostly in the local economy, creating additional jobs in the state.

Do electric cars get free electricity?

They can be free, pay-as-you-go or subscription-based, with prices set by networks or property owners. Some automakers, such as Hyundai, Nissan and Tesla may provide complimentary public charging at certain chargers.

What would happen if everyone switched to electric cars?

If every American switched over to an electric passenger vehicle, analysts have estimated, the United States could end up using roughly 25 percent more electricity than it does today. To handle that, utilities will likely need to build a lot of new power plants and upgrade their transmission networks.

Why EV is not the future?

The batteries in electric vehicles put them at the top list affecting the environment. Like all car parts, those batteries will need to be replaced after some time if you want to keep your car on the road.

How are electric cars bad for the economy?

Electric vehicles become even less environmentally friendly when factoring in the harmful effects of mining for the rare metals, like the lithium necessary for the vehicles' batteries, and of disposing or recycling (which still creates emissions) those batteries at the end of their lives.

Why all cars should not be electric?

The most common reasons drivers avoid EVs include fear the battery will run out of charge before reaching their destination, also known as “range anxiety,” fear of too few charging stations, long charge times, and initial higher upfront vehicle costs.

What is the lifespan of an electric car?

between 10 and 20 yearsMost car manufacturers guarantee EV batteries for eight years/160,000km, with some estimates suggesting electric car battery life is somewhere between 10 and 20 years. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries can also be replaced if required.

Is it cheaper to charge an electric car at home?

Although the upfront cost of an electric vehicle is often higher, EVs can be cheaper to run, due to the lower cost of electricity compared to petrol or diesel. Recharging at home (overnight) will normally result in the greatest cost savings.

Is it free to charge an electric car at Walmart?

To use the Electrify America chargers, plug in and follow instructions on touchscreen to begin charging session by inserting credit or debit card. Pricing ranges from 25 cents to 99 cents, depending on the vehicle's power level, with a $1 session fee.

Is it free to charge a Tesla?

Charging is either free or provided at a low cost. However, charging is much slower than a supercharger, typically providing about 20 - 30 miles of range per hour of charging. A "Public charger" offered by companies like ChargePoint. Costs are billed to your credit card.

What are the benefits of electric vehicles?

Electric Vehicle Benefits and Considerations. Hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions. Energy Security. In 2019, the United States imported about 3% of the petroleum it consumed, and the transportation sector accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of U.S.

Why is it important to use more energy efficient vehicles?

Using more energy efficient vehicles like hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles is an important part of continuing this successful trend of minimizing imported petroleum. This supports the U.S. economy and helps diversify the U.S. transportation fleet.

How many kilowatt hours does a 100 mile drive take?

Depending on how they are driven, today's light-duty EVs (or PHEVs in electric mode) can exceed 130 MPGe and can drive 100 miles consuming only 25–40 kWh.

Does a hybrid EV have tailpipe emissions?

HEV emissions benefits vary by vehicle model and type of hybrid power system. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and PHEVs produce no tailpipe emissions when in all-electric mode. The life cycle emissions of an EV or PHEV depend on the sources of electricity used to charge it, which vary by region.

How to manage EV charging?

He pointed to several actions utilities can take now to get out front: 1 Investigate and understand customers’ — residential and business — EV plans 2 Incorporate EV adoption forecasts into their own load planning 3 Create a website to help educate customers on electricity as a transportation fuel 4 Install workplace charging for their own employees and fleet vehicles 5 Institute other pilot EV charging stations and programs including smart charging (ability to manage the EV load to create grid benefits) 6 Develop time-based rates and incentive programs for customers to purchase and install charging stations in their homes and businesses 7 Educate customers about EV charging options in easy-to-understand terms

Is a utility part of the vehicle purchase?

Since the utility is not part of the vehicle purchase, it’s not always easy to determine how popular EVs are in its territory, but there are some tricks to ferret out the numbers. For example, utilities might offer gift cards to customers who alert them of their EV purchases.

Is EV charging good for utilities?

EV charging may seem like a new world to utilities, and in some ways it is. But ultimately, “providing electricity as a transportation fuel has major benefits for the utility. Getting plug-in ready helps accelerate adoption of EVs and increases the value to the utility and its customers.

Maximizing the potential

The current path toward the electrification of urban mobility has been a steady, gradual change, which we call proliferation. In many locations, economic incentives encourage the purchase of privately owned EVs, which spend 95% of their time parked, limiting the volume of miles actually electrified.

Planning to capture value

For utility and energy executives, this broad transformation leads to several large opportunities—some that strengthen current positions (greater asset utilization, less renewable curtailment) and others that suggest new potential (load growth, investments in charging infrastructure, expanded customer relationships).

How much will electric cars cost in 2023?

Second, more and more car manufacturers are committing to an electric future: global automakers are expected to invest $225 billion on the development of battery-electric vehicles from 2019 to 2023, according to an AlixPartners study[2] — roughly equal to the massive amount that all automakers globally combined spend on capital expenditures ...

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How many electric vehicles will be on the road by 2030?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that by 2030, there will be 125 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. There are a few key drivers behind the transition to electric-powered transportation. One of these drivers is an uptick EV infrastructure investments. As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, ...

How long does it take to charge an electric car?

With electric cars, it’s another story – if you’re looking for a full charge, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 10 hours to charge up. The amount of time it will take to recharge your EV depends not only on the vehicle and its battery but the type of charging station as well.

What is SCE charging?

SCE covers the costs of installing the chargers while the host sites own and maintain the charging infrastructure.

What is the market share of EVs in 2025?

BNEF also estimates that in 2025, Europe will account for the next largest EV market share (14 percent), followed by the United States (11 percent). By 2040, they estimate that EVs will have a 55 percent global market share with new car sales. While there’s no doubt that demand for EVs is growing, the rate at which this demand grows is hindered by ...

Will electric cars decrease in 2030?

As time goes on, the prices of electric vehicles are expected to fall. BNEF estimates that battery costs will decrease by two-thirds by 2030.

Do utilities invest in electric cars?

To keep up with a growing demand for electric cars, utility companies across the United States have started investing in electric vehicle infrastructure. Here are a few utility companies who are working hard to improve the accessibility of EV chargers for their customers.

Is an electric car more expensive than an ICE?

Electric vehicles currently available tend to be more expensive than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. There are electric vehicle incentives available to help decrease this upfront cost, but even with federal and local tax credits, you’ll likely pay more initially to purchase an electric car.

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Utility Involvement

  • EV drivers are already engaging with their employers, local retail stores and other businesses about their charging needs, but may not be talking to their electric utility. EVs provide a unique opportunity for utilities to create grid benefits through smart charging, and as the new fuel provider, utilities are vital to the successful deployment of ...
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Gathering Data

  • Since the utility is not part of the vehicle purchase, it’s not always easy to determine how popular EVs are in its territory, but there are some tricks to ferret out the numbers. For example, utilities might offer gift cards to customers who alert them of their EV purchases. Some utilities even sponsor EV clubs that provide electric fuel cards or other incentives to join, Ellis said, which is a …
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Examples of Utility Ev Charging Programs

  • There are more than 800,000 EVs on the road today. A potential total market of 2.9 million EVs on the road by 2022 could add more than 11,000 GWh of electricity demand to the world’s grids, according to Rocky Mountain Institute. Charging station deployment continues to expand rapidly, largely in line with the increase of EVs that hit the market. It is estimated that the U.S. has more t…
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What to Do Next?

  • ChargePoint, as part of its utility EV readiness strategies, recommends that utilities take the time to answer the following questions: 1. How many electric vehicles are on the road in my territory? 2. How many can I expect in the next 5-10 years? 3. How do I maintain visibility as a provider of electric fuel? 4. How many charging stations do my customers own today? 5. What is the impac…
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