Electric Vehicle 101An SGCC Guide Connecting the Smart Car

to the Smart Grid

Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative

SGCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose threefold objective is to listen to consumers via primary consumer research, to collaborate with stakeholders via hosted events and shared best practices, and to educate consumers via outreach and messaging toolkits.

Additionally, SGCC serves as a trusted source of information for industry stakeholders seeking a broad understanding of consumers’ views about grid modernization, electricity delivery, and energy usage, and for consumers seeking an understanding of the value and experience of a modern electrical grid.

HISTORY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The First Ever Electric Vehicle

Contrary to popular belief, the first-ever electric vehicle made its debut in the 1800s –around the same time that batteries and electric motors were introduced.

In 1890, an Iowan chemist named William Morrison, constructed a six passenger car with a maximum speed of 14mph –making it the first successful electric car in the U.S.

Although in today’s world, 14 mph is laughably slow, such a speed mirrored the average pace of horse-drawn carriages that were the popular mode of transportation at the time.

Shortly after, in 1898, Ferdinand Porsche introduced his version of an electric car called the P1.

Gradual Obsolescence of the EVFollowing the debut of Henry Ford’s iconic Model T, sales of EVs began to plummet.

Consumers preferred the $675 price tag of the Model T, instead of the hefty $1,750 of the standard EV.

The discovery of crude oil in Texas, and the sudden prevalence of gas stations across the nation, made gas readily accessible.

By 1935, electric cars had become obsolete.

THE RESURGENCE OF EVS

EVENTS THAT HELPED TO REVIVE THE EV INDUSTRY

Passing of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research,

Development, and Demonstration Act of

1976

Passing of the 190 Clean Air Act

Amendment and the 1992 Energy Policy Act

The release of the Toyota Prius – the first-

ever mass produced hybrid EV – in 2000.

The 2006 startup of Tesla Motors out of

Silicon Valley.

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?

PROS

CONS

4.) Lower maintenance (no oil changes, no emissions checks, and

no tune-ups)

1.) No tailpipe emissions2.) Reduced dependency on oil3.) Extremely convenient (you can simply charge your battery at home instead of having to constantly fill up at the gas

station)

1.) Limited Range (EV automakers are continuously

increasing the range of their newer models)

2.) Long Refueling Time (owners are advised to

charge their vehicles during the night)

POPULAR MODELS

2016 CHEVY VOLTHybrid SedanEstimated

Range Total of 420

Guaranteed

50 miles of

electric range before gas

engine kicks in

Accelerates from 0 to 60

in 7.8 seconds!

Ability to increase electric

mile range by manually increasing

regenerative braking

2016 NISSAN LEAFALL ELECTRIC HATCHBACK SEDANAccelerates

from 0 to 60 in 10.2 seconds!

Takes as little as four

hours to fully charge!

Two battery-pack options

24-kWh: offers 87 electric miles on a

single charge30-kWh: offers

107 electric miles on a single charge

Energy efficient LED lights

significantly reduces wind

noise and drag by redirecting

airflow

2016 TESLA MODEL SALL ELECTRIC SEDANAccelerates

from 0 to 60 in 5.5

seconds!

Advanced versions are equipped with

an autopilot feature that allows for the car to park itself in the garage

Powertrains:Base level S70:

234 electric mile range; 89 MPGe70D: 240 electric mile range; 101

MPGe

Powertrains:90D: 294 electric mile range; 103

MPGeP90D: 270

electric mile range; 95 MPGe

EV SMART GRID INTERACTION

EVs are the perfect storage unit because…

They Have Ample Amount of Energy

StorageThey can store as much as three days’ worth of

the average home’s daily consumption

They Have Easy Access for

Control Signals

Direct communication with the grid allows for them to be able to readily store and

discharge energy when needed

They are Geographically

Dispersed

Instead of being in a permanent location like wind turbines or solar panels EVs can

change location at any given timeThey act as

an emergency

power source

They ease congestion during peak

demand hours

CHARGING YOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE

HOME CHARGING PUBLIC CHARGING

• Pay-as-you-go• Depending on the

charging station, the cost per kWh may vary.

• Monthly Subscriptions• Free

• The most convenient and practical option that illustrates the cost efficiency of EVs.

Through the use of Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), EV owners are able to conveniently charge their vehicles throughout the night during off-peak hours.• EVSEs allow for EV owners to

connect (charge) their vehicles to a 240-volt electric outlet.

• It is important to install the EVSE in a convenient location that is easily accessible.

• It is recommended that the EVSE outlet be portable instead of permanently mounted to a wall.

U.S. DOE’S EV CHARGING STATION LOCATION MAP

EV UTILITY RATE PLANS

FIVE STEPS TO GETTING THE BEST UTILITY RATES

1. Consult your local utility company to get advice on which rate plan is the best fit (They will advise that the EV be charged during times that are the most efficient for the grid).

2. To ensure the lowest rate possible, consider getting a time-of-use (TOU) plan and charge during off-peak hours (throughout the night).

3. Double check to make sure that the EV is not charging during peak demand hours. Utility companies increase the rates considerably during the day when they know the demand will be at its highest.

4. TOU plans are generally always the best plan for EV drivers/owners.5. Think twice about installing a separate meter unit that monitors

charging. Estimates show that an EV will add about 350 kWh of energy usage to one’s account in a typical month – potentially doubling or even tripling your rate.

The cost for charging an EV depends on when it’s charged, where it’s charged, and the rate plan the owner has chosen.

FUTURE OF EV INDUSTRY

There are currently more than 23 plug-in electric and 36hybrid vehicle options in the

U.S.

There are currently more than 234,000

plug in EVs and 3.3 million

hybrids on U.S. roads today.

We could potentially reduce

our dependence on foreign oil by 30%-

60%.

We could lower the carbon pollution

from the transportation

sector by more than 20%.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SMART GRID, VISIT THESE SGCC RESOURCES:

Consumer Benefits of the Smart Gridhttp://www.whatissmartgrid.org/smart-grid-101/consumer-benefits

Smart Grid FAQshttp://smartgridcc.org/research/smart-grid-faq/

Smart Grid Glossaryhttp://www.whatissmartgrid.org/smart-grid-101/smart-grid-glossary