December 16, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- EVs will reduce U.S. oil dependence: The United States imported about 49% of the petroleum, which includes crude oil and refined petroleum products, consumed in 2010, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Most of the world's oil reserves are concentrated in the Middle East, and about two-thirds are controlled by OPEC members. Oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly-about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008-and each major shock was followed by a recession. We may never eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand.
- EVs are energy efficient & environmentally friendly: Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels-internal combustion engines (ICEs) only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them. Electricity from nuclear-, hydro-, solar-, or wind-powered plants causes no air pollutants.
- EVs can meet the needs of most driving consumers: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, most Americans drive fewer than 30 miles a day. The occasional long-distance drive can be done with a second vehicle that is a plug-in hybrid, or by renting or borrowing another vehicle. According to Nissan, the Leaf will travel 100 miles before it needs recharging. The Chevy Volt has a range of 40 miles on a battery charge and then the gasoline-powered generator kicks in for re-charging, which could extend the range to about 200 miles.
- EV purchasers receive tax breaks: EVs purchased in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 for the cars and $2,000 for installing a home-charging station. The credit amount will vary based on the capacity of the battery used to fuel the vehicle. Running an EV costs less than a gasoline-powered car. On average, it will be less than $1 to charge a plug-in hybrid and $2-4 for an all-electric car. Your overall energy bill will be lowered by driving with electricity.
- EVs are reliable and fun to drive: EVs require no oil changes or tune-ups. There are 10 times fewer moving parts than a gasoline-powered car. There's no engine, transmission, spark plugs, valves, fuel tank, tailpipe, distributor, starter, clutch, muffler or catalytic converter. Electric vehicles product almost instant torque, which creates immediate acceleration. When the driver of an EV pushes down on the accelerator pedal, the transition from stationary to speed is almost instantaneous.
Sources: Copper Development Association, www.fueleconomy.gov, www.pluginamerica.org, U.S. Department of Transportation
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