Misinformation about EV

 Like any issue nowadays, there is misinformation on both sides of EV. 

On one end is a religious belief in EV treating it as a silver bullet to remedy all kinds of environmental issues with all upsides and no downsides.

On the other end is absurd claims against EVs by people who apparently have never used an EV.  For example, a popular Facebook post gives people the impression that it is easy for EVs to get stuck on highways to become roadblocks (I suspect the author modified the post later to moderate the tone).  The heating systems of modern EVs use compressors, so they are very efficient. Even a half-charged EV can keep the driver warm for 10 to 20 hours. 

For an EV, it comes down to two metrics regarding environmental impact no matter how one analyzes it:

  1. MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). It means how many miles an EV can drive with the electricity generated by 1 gallon of gasoline. Most EVs have MPGe over 100. 
  2. Lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The manufacturing of a new EV emits 2 to 3 times more GHG than an ICE car. Over the lifetime, the ICE car will catch up with the EV. In the end (e.g., after 150k miles), the ICE car will emit much more GHG in total. The break-even distance depends on how electricity is generated. In the US where 22% (instead of 40% as claimed by some) of electricity is generated from coal, it is usually between 10k-20k miles. In China where 60% of electricity is generated from coal, the break-even point is probably 50k-60k miles.


Some claim EVs would require a massive amount space to replace gas stations with charging stations. This again is from someone who apparently has not experience in using an EV.

  1. The vast majority of EV owners charge their cars at home because that is the most convenient and inexpensive way to charge EVs. Many charge the car at night when the electricity is the least expensive. For example, despite MA having the most expensive electricity rate, the full charge of an EV costs about $7 = $10 with a regular wall outlet and it allows one to drive 150 - 230 miles, so it is about $0.05/mile. All EVs can be charged with regular wall outlets instead of the 100-amp requirement claimed by some ignorant people.
  2.  Nowadays, many parking garages offer chargers that take no extra space. They are essentially regular parking spaces with a charger at the end. I use them once in a while during my road trips. My car is usually the only one in the long row of parking spaces with chargers. Many parks' parking lots have chargers too. Again, no extra space is needed.
  3. EVs made in recent years with a range 150 to 300 miles per charge, batteries can last for over 100k miles easily, so people can sell used EVs without battery replacement as claimed by the article.
  4. Instead of requiring extra spaces, we may have more free spaces due to the disappearance of gas stations. Most gas stations will be gone and there is no sense to convert them into charging lots because few would bother to go to a dedicated charging station to charge their cars because parking garages, parking lots of malls, Walmart stores, etc. have plenty of chargers.

One exception is highways. Charging outside homes is needed for road trips, highways need a lot of more fast charging stations for people who drive non-stop on highways for over 200 miles per day. I am almost certain that if each rest area on highways has two dozens or so chargers at its parking lot, it would be sufficient when transition to EV is completed.


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