The Redwood City electric vehicle (EV) readiness guide can help our community evaluate their readiness and plan for the arrival of EV and EV charging. The following are a series of topics, questions, and resources that will help your community prepare for EV adoption and readiness.

Planning

EVs—the collective term for all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles—are capable of drawing electricity from the grid and other off-board electrical power sources and storing the energy in batteries.

Powering EVs with electricity is currently cost effective compared to using gasoline. However, the cost is dependent on the price of electricity, which can vary by region, type of generation, time of use, and access point. Many EV owners choose to do most of their charging at home (or at fleet facilities, in the case of commercially owned fleets) where the cost to charge will typically be lower than at public chargers. That said, EV drivers also have access to public charging stations in a variety of places, such as along interstate highways, shopping centers, public parking garages and lots, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Public charging infrastructure is rapidly expanding, providing drivers with the convenience, range, and confidence to meet their transportation needs.

The basics of EV

Making the decision to purchase an EV can seem intimidating. There is a lot to consider. From the mechanics of electric vehicles to their environmental benefits. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about EVs.

How does a plug-in EV work?

A plug-in electric vehicle is a vehicle that can be plugged into an electrical outlet or a charging device to recharge its battery. There are two types of plug-in electric vehicles. One is battery electric vehicles, which run only on electricity. The other is a plug-in hybrid, which runs mainly or solely on electricity until the battery is depleted and then is powered by gas/diesel.

What should I consider before purchasing an EV

Like selecting a gasoline-powered car, choosing the electric vehicle that’s best for you depends on several different factors including your driving habits and personal preference. Here are some factors to consider:

• Total Range: How far will you travel? The total range of current electric vehicles varies greatly. Additional considerations are how far your daily commute is, your typical weekend travel, and how often you use your vehicle for extended trips.
• Gasoline Use: How much gasoline do you want to use? The battery capacity of an electric vehicle determines how far you can go without using a drop of gasoline.
• Charging: Where will you charge? Where you drive and how you'll charge your vehicle can help you decide which electric vehicle will meet your needs. If your daily commute is less than 40 miles, many electric vehicles—hybrid or battery electric—will be able to handle your daily driving without the need for gas. If you want the ability to drive much farther, several battery electric vehicles can travel 100 to 200+ miles on a charge. If you need to drive farther without charging, consider an extended-range hybrid.
• Insurance Costs: Recommend receiving quotes for vehicle insurance from multiple companies to compare the option that best fits your needs and driver history.

Are EVs more affordable

The purchase price of EVs can vary widely, like gas-powered vehicles, based on make, model, year, type of vehicle, and market segment (mass market, luxury, etc.). EV prices are also driven by battery size, which is the largest single cost in the vehicle. As the price of batteries continue to decrease, EVs will begin to reach price parity, a price that sets two items equal in value to one another, with a comparable gas-powered car.

Today’s EV market offers battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models at different price points. Although the upfront cost of an EV can be more expensive compared to a similar gas-powered vehicle, when you look at the total ownership over the vehicle’s lifetime, EVs can be less costly to own. Factoring in the purchase price, fueling costs, and maintenance costs, EV owners can save a significant amount over their vehicle’s lifetime.

What is the typical maintenance cost of an EV?

Plug-in electric vehicles typically have a lower total cost of ownership and lower maintenance costs. This is because they have fewer moving parts, reduced oil changes (or none for a full electric), and fewer brake jobs—battery regeneration absorbs most of the energy. Hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles can go 100,000 miles before receiving a brake job.

What are the environmental benefits of an EV?

Electric vehicles reduce the amount of gasoline we burn and are less costly to maintain, among many other benefits:

• Reduced Operating Emissions: The emissions associated with the electric drivetrain of plug-in electric vehicles come from power plants generating electricity to charge the batteries and not from tailpipe emissions. Additionally, from well to wheel, electric vehicles emit significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) compared with internal combustion vehicles. CO2 is the principal gas associated with global warming.
• Water Quality Preservation: Decreased use of petroleum gasoline and motor oil means fewer spills and pollution to oceans, rivers and ground water.
• Reduced Noise: In addition to being cleaner, electric vehicles are quieter than gasoline-powered vehicles, resulting in less noise pollution.

What are the financial benefits of owning an EV?

• Lower Operational Costs: The estimated cost of electricity needed to power a plug-in electric vehicle is about one-third of the cost of gasoline.

• Lower Maintenance Costs: The electrical components of plug-in electric vehicles require little to no regular maintenance due to far less moving parts. In hybrids, this leads to less wear and tear of gasoline components.
• Rebates & Tax Credits: Many government agencies and local and regional entities offer rebates and tax credits, up to $7,500, to encourage the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles.
  • Redwood City EV Charger Rebate Program
  • Peninsula Clean Energy EV Savings and Rebates
  • Federal Tax Credit EV Purchase
  • PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program

EV buying checklist

Consider the different options you have when purchasing or leasing an EV.

• Think about how far and frequently you drive, and the electric range of your EV. Determine whether you can benefit from access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
• Learn about the different vehicle types, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrid EVs. Find out which new and pre-owned models are on the market.
• Look into rebates and incentive programs. State, federal, and local incentives vary based on the EV model and where you live.
  • Redwood City EV Charger Rebate Program
  • Peninsula Clean Energy EV Savings and Rebates
  • Federal Tax Credit EV Purchase
  • PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program

     

• Choose the charging option that suits your needs.

EV chargers

There are different types of charging stations for EVs.

• Level 1 (110) charging stations are usually ready-to-go.
• Level 2 (240V) or Level 3 (480V) charging stations require other considerations, such as calculating amps, hardware portability, and cord length.

PG&E EV savings calculator

Estimate and compare costs, savings, and EV incentives using the PG&E Electric Vehicle savings calculator.

Assess Charging Infrastructure

There are a few tools that may help evaluate the status of EV adoption in our community. The  EV Registration by State chart provides a high-level picture of EV adoption by state. The Station Locator helps users locate alternative fueling stations and view maps and driving directions to alternative fueling stations. Use the Advanced Filters tab to filter by state, fuel type, and accessibility. It is also important to note that the map provides data for proprietary EV charging stations that may not be accessible to all EV drivers.

Utility Engagement

Utilities are a critical partner in EV deployment, therefore increased coordination and collaboration with your local utility is necessary to ensure successful EV charging station installation. Determining local electricity rates is important to understanding the total cost of ownership. Residential EV rate plans from PG&E is available here. Sitting in locations with high demand charges will incur greater expense therefore estimating usage will be critical in determining ownership costs. You should contact your utility provider (PG&E) to ensure that your electrical system can handle the load.

Site Preparation and Implementation

Here are some steps to consider prior to installing an EV charger:

• Assess your home; check if there is already electricity running to your parking space or garage, and how far away it is from an outlet.
• Confirm with your Utility provider that your system can handle the load (especially if you are installing a Level-2 charger.
  • Call PG&E to schedule an electrical assessment of your home.
• Choose the charger that meets your needs.
• Consider hiring a licensed electrician
  • To assess your home’s electrical panel
  • To plan the installation and choose a location for your changer
  • To help you determine of you need to upgrade the panel
  • To apply for permits and schedule inspections
• Choose the electric rate that best fits your needs. Use the PG&E Compare Rate Plans to identify the lowest cost EV rate plan.