The calculator allows you to figure in the cost of batteries with a finite life. It DOES NOT allow you to add in the cost of the other item with a finite life, the gasser engine. If we say engine and batteries have the same life, and the engine + maintenance = battery cost, then we can just look at costs of fuels.
I calculated energy consumed by a plug-in Prius running on gas only and running on electricity only. Here are the results
Prius engine at 29% efficiency............48.2 mpg (at 60 mph)
Prius electric at 70% efficiency...........3.42 miles per kWh
All other characteristics are the same.
At $2 /gallon..............$0.041 /mile
at $0.10 /kWh.............0.029 /mile
Relative costs: 1.4 times.
Didn't we already go through this? Ernie Rogers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Concrete
dcb,
Sorry for this slow reply
since the lack of EVs on the planet was not proof enough that EVs have more "costs" than you are using in your calculations
I have been keeping an eye out to find data you might believe
and I think I have found a convincing bit of evidence
check out the Miles EV Savings calculator
Miles Electric Vehicles
select "savings calculator tab"
with $2 gas and the cost of batteries check box(can't forget their carbon foot print/cost/effect)
I input my gasser milage of 25 mpg (hardly a top performer)
and Tah Dah! virtually the same cost per mile
This is not a conclusive or comprehensive argument I know
but... now since you have forced me to defend my gasser at the expense of EVs - which does pain my conscience
you must at least be willing to see the consumer is not missing out on a 30:1 cost savings for EVs
in fact for me to break even on cost alone - there has to be over $2 a gallon gas
never mind the inconvenience or performance penalty (25 mph max!  )
and I think the summer of 2008 and +$4 a gallon gas proved this very well
preaching EVs will not move the masses - but costs do
(all that a side I really would like a Miles truck - if i could just get it tagged) |