Utah EV - FAQs about Electric Vehicles

What is the difference between Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and All Electric Vehicles?

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have both electric and gasoline capabilities while All Electric Vehicles (EVs) use only electricity. PHEVs typically have a short electric range and then the hybrid gasoline engine kicks in. All Electric Vehicles have larger batteries that provide a longer range on electricity only.

How do you measure the efficiency of an EV?

The efficiency of gasoline vehicles is measured in miles per gallon (MPG), but the efficiency of an electric vehicle is measured in miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). Electric engines don't run on gasoline, so MPGe was created to allow comparisons between electric and gasoline vehicles. You can read more about the efficency of EVs and PHEVs on fueleconomy.gov.

What is the lifetime of an EV?

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists "electric-drive vehicles have many components that will likely last even longer than a typical gasoline car, both because they have fewer moving parts and because they don’t operate at the high temperatures of an internal combustion engine. Expectations are that maintenance should end up simpler for all-electric vehicles."

Is it better to power your vehicle with electricity from the grid rather than gasoline?

Poor air quality is the result of the unique geography of the Salt Lake Valley coupled with pollution generated from transportation, industry, and buildings. "Mobile sources" of air pollution (like vehicles) are responsible for 48% of Utah’s criteria air pollutants (the most harmful types of air pollution). By transitioning our traditional polluting vehicles to cleaner, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars, we can tackle a big part of Utah’s air quality problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EVs convert up to 80% of the energy stored in their batteries to power the vehicle compared to the 14 – 26% of the energy stored in gasoline which is converted to power an internal combustion vehicle. According to a 2013 analysis conducted by SWEEP and Utah Clean Energy, "all electric" vehicles produce 99% fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 95% less sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 76% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) as compared to a new gasoline vehicle. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles reduces emissions significantly as well.

In addition to air quality benefits, electric vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions. A recent report from the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from EVs are at least 50% lower than comparable gasoline vehicles. The emissions associated with manufacturing EVs are slightly higher than from manufacturing gasoline vehicles, but once on the road an electric vehicle emts far fewer emissions. The emissions reductions from driving an EV can make up for the emissions from manufacturing it in as little as one year. After its useful life, an electric car battery can be reused or recycled, further reducing the climate impacts of EVs when compared to gasoline vehicles. You can read the full report here, and you can compare EV emission with gasoline vehicle emissions with this calculator from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

For carbon-free driving, consider combining an electric vehicle with renewable energy, like rooftop solar. Learn more about the benefits of combining solar and EVs.

If you're interested in finding out if rooftop solar is right for your home, visit UCommunitySolar.org. U Community Solar is partnership between the University of Utah and Utah Clean Energy, which offers a streamlined process, discounted price and pre-screened solar installer for residential rooftop solar installations for members of the U Campus Community.

How do EVs improve air quality?

Poor air quality is the result of the unique geography of the Salt Lake Valley coupled with pollution generated from transportation, industry, and buildings. "Mobile sources" of air pollution (like vehicles) are a major contributor to a certain type of pollution known as particulate pollution, or "PM 2.5", and emit 48% of Utah’s criteria air pollutants (the most harmful types of air pollution). By transitioning our traditional polluting vehicles to cleaner, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars, we can tackle a big part of Utah’s air quality problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EVs convert up to 80% of the energy stored in their batteries to power the vehicle. Compare that to the 14 – 26% of the energy stored in gasoline which is converted to power an internal combustion vehicle. According to a 2013 analysis conducted by SWEEP and Utah Clean Energy, "all electric" vehicles produce 99% fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 95% less sulfur dioxide (SO2) , 76% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) as compared to a new gasoline vehicle. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles reduces emissions significantly as well.

Do EVs contribute to global climate change emissions?

In addition to air quality benefits, electric vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions. A recent report from the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from EVs are at least 50% lower than comparable gasoline vehicles. The emissions associated with manufacturing EVs are slightly higher than from manufacturing gasoline vehicles, but once on the road an electric vehicle emts far fewer emissions. The emissions reductions from driving an EV can make up for the emissions from manufacturing it in as little as one year. After its useful life, an electric car battery can be reused or recycled, further reducing the climate impacts of EVs when compared to gasoline vehicles. You can read the full report here, and you can compare EV emission with gasoline vehicle emissions with this calculator from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Can I charge my EV at home?

You can charge an electric vehicle at home with either a standard 120 volt AC outlet, but many EV owners install a 240 volt AC outlet (the same type used by an electric clothes dryer) and purchase a Level II charter. A 240 volt home charging station can fully charge an EV battery from empty to full in about 3-4 hours, whereas a standard 120 volt outlet may take over night to fully charge the batteries.

As an added bonus, some of the EVs offered through this program come with a free 240 volt at home charging station! Installation is not included. Contact a licensed electrician to install your car charging station. An electrician will need to verify that your electric panel capacity and wiring are sufficient to support the station.

How do I charge my EV on the go?

There are a few different options for charging on the go. There are both Level II and Level III charging stations for public use. Level II charging is done with 240 volts and can fully charge a battery in approximately 3-4 hours. Level III charging uses 480 volts to charge your batteries, and can charge a battery up to 80% in as little as 30 minutes. Some public stations can be used free of charge while others require payment or subscription. To help you locate a charging station there are several websites and apps that tell you where to find nearby stations. Learn more about Utah's growing charging infrastructure .

How long does it take to charge an EV?

There are three different levels of charging and each charges the batteries at a different rate. Level I charging uses a standard 120 volt AC household outlet, and can take up to 15-20 hours to fully charge the batteries, depending on the vehicle. Level II charging is an affordable option you can use at home to charge the batteries in 3-4 hours. Level III charging uses 480 volts to charge the batteries in as little as 30 minutes, and several companies are building networks of Level III chargers to make it easy to fuel up on the go.

Can I charge my EV with a regular household outlet?

Yes, you can charge the batteries with a standard household 120 volt AC outlet. This is called Level I charging, and it requires charging overnight to reach a full charge. There are also Level II and Level III charging options that take 3-4 hours or only 30 minutes, respectively.

How much does it cost to charge an EV?

On average, it costs about half as much to power an EV than it does to fuel a traditional gasoline powered vehicle. It will vary depending on how much driving you do, how efficient your electric vehicle model is, and the rate that you typically pay for electricity and gasoline. In general gasoline is much more expensive than electricity (twice as much on average), so EV owners end up saving money when switching from gasoline powered vehicles. You can calculate the savings of going electric with the Department of Energy's eGallon calculator. You can also compare the savings estimated for the vehicles offered through U Drive Electric, or between EVs and gasoline powered vehicles with the Department of Energy's Fuel Cost and Savings Calculator.

How long do the batteries last?

Recent studies by the National Renewable Energy Lab indicate that batteries may have a usable lifetime of 10 to 15 years, and many manufacturers are offering 8-year/100,000 mile warranties on batteries.

How do the maintenance requirements differ from traditional gasoline vehicles?

EVs have much fewer moving parts, and don't operate at the same high temperatures as gasoline powered vehicles. That means fewer things breakdown or need maintenance. You can read more about EV maintenance requirements on the Department of Energy's EV maintenance page.

Do EVs have special access to HOV lanes?

Yes, EV drivers can apply for a Clean Fuel Vehicle Decal (C Decal) with the Utah Department of Transportaion. Currently there is a waiting list to receive a C Decal. Learn more and apply for a C Decal at the DOT website here.

How do maintenance costs compare to gasoline powered vehicles?

Reports show that maintenance costs are about 1/3 that of a typical gasoline powered vehicle. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center EVs typically require less maintenance than conventional vehicles because:

The battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance
There are fewer fluids to change
Brake wear is significantly reduced, due to regenerative braking
There are far fewer moving parts, relative to a conventional gasoline engine

Can you purchase or lease through U Drive Electric?

Yes, both purchase and lease options are available for most vehicles offered through U Drive Electric.

What tax credits are available for EVs?

There are both state and federal tax credits for purchasing or leasing EVs. The federal tax credit is up to $7,500 based on battery capacity, and the state tax credit is $1,500 for All Electric Vehicles and $1,000 for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. You can read more about the state and federal tax credits here. Consult with a tax advisor regarding your eligibility for the aforementioned tax credits. U Drive Electric makes no guarantees about the availability of tax credits or participants ability to take advantage of the tax credits.

Can you take advantage of the tax credits if you choose to lease?

Yes, if you lease you can claim the state tax credit, and you have up to five years to take advantage of the credit. The federal tax credit is claimed by the dealer or leasing company, but savings are passed onto the lessee via lower monthly payments. You can read more about the state and federal tax credits for EVs here. Consult with a tax attorney regarding your eligibility for the aforementioned tax credits. U Drive Electric makes no guarantees about the availability of tax credits or participants ability to take advantage of the tax credits.

FAQs about Electric Vehicles

FAQs About Electric Vehicles