SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
	ELECTRIC VEHICLE FACT SHEET

What?

C            Electric vehicles (EVs)  include everything from electric automobiles to electric bikes, as well as electric scooters, motorcycles and golf carts. 

 C            Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) are electric vehicles that are designed for city traffic and can not reach highway speed.

 C            Driving ranges vary from 60 miles to 100 miles.  As battery technology advances, driving ranges will be extended. The vehicle range depends on many things including:

 C         the type of battery

C         the type of EV and its weight

C         the driving terrain

C         battery condition

C         number of batteries

C         how the vehicle is driven 

How?

C                     EVs work without a traditional internal combustion engine.  EV motors are powered with electricity stored in on-board batteries. 

 C                     Currently there are three main types of batteries being used: sealed lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride, and lithium-ion batteries.

 C                     EVs are quiet.  People are usually surprised the first time they turn the key in the ignition of an EV because no sound is heard from the motor.

 C                     Instead of filling the gas tank, EV owners recharge the vehicle battery. The batteries can be recharged by plugging it into a wall outlet such as those used for electric stoves and dryers.  Most EV owners recharge the battery overnight.  This prevents overloading our current electrical infrastructure.  In the future, fast-charging public stations may be available where EV batteries will be charged to 80% in only 5-15 minutes.

 C                     Unlike traditional vehicles which lose up to 60% of energy due to braking, most EVs recapture vehicle motion (kinetic energy) with regenerative braking.  That energy is put back into the battery, resulting in a 10-30% increase in energy efficiency over traditional vehicles.

Cost?

C                     Cost per mile ranges from 1.4 to 10.4 cents per mile.  Gasoline powered autos average 5.0 cents per mile, assuming a $1.50 price per gallon.  Some utility companies offer discounts on electricity rates for off peak overnight EV battery charging.

 C                     A new electric automobile currently costs from $20,000 to $40,000.  Maintenance of an EV requires replacing the battery every 3 years and can cost a few thousand dollars. On the other hand, with fewer moving parts, EVs do not require oil changes, transmission fluid changes, etc.  Also, ongoing research in battery design may result in longer lasting and/or less expensive batteries in the near future. 

 C                     Incentives are available from both the state and federal government for private citizens to enhance the marketability of these new technologies. The federal government offers a tax credit for 10% of the cost of an EV, up to $4,000. This incentive will be in place through 2004 but will be reduced by 25% in 2002, 50% in 2003 and 75% in 2004. In California, incentives ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 can be used for the purchase or lease of an EV.

 C                     Electric bikes and scooters are much lower in cost than electric automobiles.  Not only are the purchase prices lower, but they are less expensive to operate and maintain over time.  Electric bikes start at about $500.

 C                     A standard gasoline vehicle can be converted to an EV using a conversion kit.  Prices range from $4,000 and up for each conversion.  Conversion costs can be offset by selling the old internal combustion engine and related parts.

Why?

C                     EVs produce no emissions at the tailpipe. The overall reduction in harmful emissions depends on how the electricity used to charge the battery is produced.  It is generally safe to assume that however the energy is produced, it is cleaner than a traditional vehicle=s internal combustion engine.

 C                     More EVs are on the way due to a California state law that mandates that 10% of all vehicles must be zero emission vehicles by 2003.  Electric vehicles are currently the only vehicles that meet that requirement.

Who?

C                     EVs are being sold right now in California.  Currently Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, GM, Chevrolet, Honda, Nissan and Toyota all sell or lease an EV model.

 C                     The Santa Cruz County Electric Bike Commuter Incentive Program offers a partial subsidy up to $500 for the purchase of an electric bike for Santa Cruz County residents who will use them instead of driving single occupancy vehicles. For more information call Ecology Action at 1-866-E-Z-PEDAL or on the web at www.ecoact.org.

 C                     There are currently 34 public electric vehicle charging stations in California, but none so far in Santa Cruz County.  Some employers allow charging of employees privately owned EVs at the worksite.

More information on all types of alternative fuel vehicles can be found on the Internet. 

One site is the Battery Electric Vehicles page from the California Air Resources Board:

http://www.zevinfo.com

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