Not long ago, electric vehicles were seldom seen anywhere other than the local golf course. However, with the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, plugging in your car has become a viable option. Doing this reduces emissions, lowers fuel costs and conserves natural resources.
Charge Time
The amount of time it takes to “fill up” your hybrid or electric vehicle is going to vary depending on the vehicle, as well as the power supply. The soon-to-be-released Toyota Prius PHV can be charged in as little as 1.7 hours if connected to a 240-volt outlet (the larger outlets that major appliances are frequently connected to), but a full charge can also take as long as three hours if it’s connected with a standard household plug. Also, it’s worth noting that the Prius PHV has a shorter electric-only range than the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, so while its smaller batteries take less time to charge, you won’t be able to travel as far on electric power alone.
The Nissan Leaf is unique among plug-in vehicles for two reasons. First, it runs on 100 percent electric power, meaning that it must have a charge to keep moving. Second, the Leaf can be ordered with a 480-volt “Quick-Charge Station,” which owners can have installed in their home. While opting for the Quick-Charge station does add some expense, it greatly reduces charge time as the Leaf can achieve an 80-percent charge in roughly 30 minutes.
While the Volt and the Prius PHV both lack quick-charge options, their hybrid powertrains do allow them to continue travel and charge the batteries after electric power has been depleted.
Where Can I Charge?
If you’re considering buying a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle, you can charge it anywhere you can find a standard household or 240-volt electric outlet. Still, owners of pure electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf, may be concerned about running out of power while they’re out and about.
The provides a map which lists available charge points for electric vehicles (EVs). Owners can search for stations by zip code and state, and they can even map a route that will display charge points along the way.
How Far Can I Go?
If you’re behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid such as the Chevrolet Volt or the Prius PHV, your range is not limited by the batteries’ charge. However, EVs like the Nissan Leaf do require a battery with some charge to maintain momentum. Nissan claims a 100-mile range between charges for the Leaf. However, your actual range may vary depending on factors such as external temperature, use of climate control, speed, driving style, cargo and road conditions. If you’re considering an EV, know its range in a worst-case scenario and plan accordingly. It’s also wise to check the Department of Energy’s website for charging stations in your area.
How Does Electric Power Relate to Fuel Economy?
According to the EPA, the Nissan Leaf averages a gas-equivalent of 106 mpg in the city and 92 mpg on the highway. The Chevrolet Volt, however, offers fuel-economy estimates for electric-only and gas-only operation. The Volt gets fuel-economy equivalents of 95 mpg in the city and 90 mpg when operating solely on electric power. Deplete the batteries and the Volt manages 35/40 mpg city/highway when powered by its gas engine.
As you can see, the savings are significant when the vehicles operate solely on electric power. To calculate the fuel-economy equivalents, the EPA notes an electricity cost of $0.11 per kilowatt-hour and compares it to a premium fuel cost of $3.38 per gallon, providing an interesting comparison for how much the Volt would cost to drive on gas or electric. The Volt’s annual fuel costs would be $1,369 if you never charged it. However, keep its batteries charged and you’ll be able to drive the Volt for $594 per year on electric power alone.
