PERSPECTIVE:
PERSPECTIVE:
Best-Selling Electric Vehicles of 2021 (Through Sept.)
Hyundai Ioniq Electric (1595 units sold)
Tesla Model X (3000 units sold)
Tesla Model S (5400 units sold)
Porsche Taycan (7228 units sold)
Hyundai Kona Electric (7656 units sold)
Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback (7793 units sold)
Nissan Leaf (10,074 units sold)
Volkswagen ID.4 (12,279 units sold)
Ford Mustang Mach-E (18,855 units sold)
Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV (24,803 units sold)
Tesla Model 3 (94,900 units sold)
Tesla Model Y (132,000 units sold)
Top selling vehicles in America to date:
Ford F-Series, 534,831
Ram Pickup, 434,772
Chevrolet Silverado, 407,266
Toyota RAV4, 313,447
Honda CR-V, 290,140
Toyota Camry, 256,769
Nissan Rogue, 234,647
Honda Civic, 216,575
Toyota Highlander, 207,564
Toyota Tacoma, 200,631
Toyota Corolla, 200,225
GMC Sierra, 191,186
Jeep Grand Cherokee, 189,727
Jeep Wrangler, 164,709
Ford Explorer, 160,174
Honda Accord, 157,988
Chevrolet Equinox, 151,110
Mazda CX-5, 137,343
Subaru Forester, 132,254
Subaru Outback Wagon, 122,978
Total Vehicle Sales:
Electric - ~290k
Gasoline - ~16M
CO2 benefits of EV's:
The electricity that supplies the energy for electric vehicles is generated by burning fossil fuels, including 30% with coal. In many other countries, such as China, the percentage of electricity from coal plants is much higher.
The average electric car uses kWh 0.346kWh per mile.
The average kWh of electricity generated by power plants produces 0.85 lbs of CO2.
The average gasoline vehicle gets 25.4 miles per US gallon which works out 0.0408 gallons per mile. Every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of CO2 which works out to 363 grams (.8 lbs) CO2 per mile.
Average CO2 Produced Per Mile (Energy used):
Electric - .85 lbs
Gasoline - .8 lbs
Energy Costs* Per Mile:
Electric - 4.33 cents per mile
Gasoline - 0.13872 cents per mile
*Figures based on 12.5 cents per kWh and $3.40 per gallon.
Dependency:
Electric - Lithium (for batteries) supplied 80% by China
Gasoline - Gasoline supplied by the USA
Taxpayer Subsidies:
Electric - $7500-$12,500
Gasoline - $0
Energy Distribution Requirements:
Electric - new charging stations nationwide and massive improvement to our Electric grid.
Gasoline - existing gas stations
Vehicle Cost - Average Vehicle Selling Price:
Electric - $51k
Gasoline - $42k
Selection:
Wider selection of new and used vehicles to choose from. Gas handsdown.
Per Mile energy cost:
Gas advantage. Plus electricity costs are going to rise significantly in coming years!
Range on a charge versus a tank.
Gas advantage
Time to Refill verse Recharge:
Gas advantage
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
With electric vehicles there is an environmental hazard with dead batteries. EV batteries are larger and heavier than those in regular cars and are made up of several hundred individual lithium-ion cells, all of which need dismantling. They contain hazardous materials, and have an inconvenient tendency to explode if disassembled incorrectly. Gas vehicles have lead batteries that are easily recycled.
Economically viable electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycling is rapidly and increasingly needed. But it is very unclear that there is an economical and viable solution. This may substantially increase the end-of-life disposal cost of EV's. This cost is not factored into the comparison, but it could be quit a sizeable disadvantage for EV's in the near future.
One more thing, and its a big thing! You know all that lithium that we are going to need to power the vast number of EV's. Well guess who is the WORLD'S largest miner of lithium? CHINA. And those mines are an environmental nightmare. So we go from depending on OPEC to "energy independence" to relying on China for lithium. UGH!!
BOTTOM LINE:
At this time the only reason an EV stands a chance in competing with gas power vehicles is because of large taxpayers subsidies. Someone has to cover the cost of those EV tax breaks!
There is the benefit of "virtue signaling." Driving an EV shows the world around you that you care about climate change and that makes you a "better person." Really??
CONCLUSION:
Buy an electronic vehicle because you prefer the way it drives, not because you are saving the planet.
There are many more cost effective ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gases than buying an EV, at least at this point in time. Given all the advantages that Gas vehicles have presently, the choice is pretty clear.
By the same token, the future is not far off, maybe the span of one car lease, when the status of EV'S will be far better. Sunny days are ahead. Check it out.
