Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Which Really Costs More: Charging an EV or Filling Up Your Tank With Gas?

JSH · 01-23-2022, 04:29 PM

Pretty hilarious this is still circulating. It is like the Hummer is more environmentally friendly than a Prius article from 20 years ago that was debunked shortly after it was written. To my knowledge the Detroit Free Press was the first to publish this article back in October 2021. About a week later they published a follow-up that acknowledged that the Anderson Study is basically the very worst case scenario for charging and EV and does not represent how the vast majority of EV owners charge their vehicles.

Just some absolutely crazy claims like:

"Level 1 chargers cost an average of $600 to install and can take 20 hours to fully charge an EV."

Every EV or PHEV sold in the USA comes with a Level 1 EVSE that plugs into a standard 120V socket. Even if you were to buy a replacement EVSE they are $200 or less.

"Comparatively, a mid-priced EV — Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt — would cost $12.95 per 100 miles."

I have a Bolt. Even in winter were I'm getting the worst efficiency possible I'm getting 3.2 mile per kWh but lets make it a round 3. 100/3 = 33 kWh. $12.90 / 33 = $0.39 per kWh. That is what you would expect to pay at an Electrify America DC Fast charger IF you don't sign up for a $4 a month membership to drop the rate to $0.31 per kWh.

So the study is basically based on a lead-footed EV driver, that lives someplace were they can only charge using DC fast chargers, but for some reason doesn't sign up for cheaper rates.

01-23-2022, 04:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
JSH AKA - Jason Join Date: May 2009 Location: PDX Posts: 3,604 Adventure Seeker - '04 Chevy Astro - Campervan 90 day: 17.3 mpg (US) Thanks: 326 Thanked 2,150 Times in 1,455 Posts	Pretty hilarious this is still circulating. It is like the Hummer is more environmentally friendly than a Prius article from 20 years ago that was debunked shortly after it was written. To my knowledge the Detroit Free Press was the first to publish this article back in October 2021. About a week later they published a follow-up that acknowledged that the Anderson Study is basically the very worst case scenario for charging and EV and does not represent how the vast majority of EV owners charge their vehicles. Just some absolutely crazy claims like: *"Level 1 chargers cost an average of $600 to install and can take 20 hours to fully charge an EV."* Every EV or PHEV sold in the USA comes with a Level 1 EVSE that plugs into a standard 120V socket. Even if you were to buy a replacement EVSE they are $200 or less. *"Comparatively, a mid-priced EV — Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt — would cost $12.95 per 100 miles."* I have a Bolt. Even in winter were I'm getting the worst efficiency possible I'm getting 3.2 mile per kWh but lets make it a round 3. 100/3 = 33 kWh. $12.90 / 33 = $0.39 per kWh. That is what you would expect to pay at an Electrify America DC Fast charger IF you don't sign up for a $4 a month membership to drop the rate to $0.31 per kWh. So the study is basically based on a lead-footed EV driver, that lives someplace were they can only charge using DC fast chargers, but for some reason doesn't sign up for cheaper rates.