content/articles/ev-crash-course.md: more updates

1 files changed, 124 insertions, 97 deletions

diff --git a/content/articles/ev-crash-course.md b/content/articles/ev-crash-course.md
index 17c7044..35e109d 100644
--- a/content/articles/ev-crash-course.md
+++ b/content/articles/ev-crash-course.md
@@ -3,42 +3,43 @@ title: "EV Crash Course"
 slug: ev-crash-course
 date: "2021-10-17"
 draft: true
+toc: true
 ---
-
 ## Reading EV Specs
 
-|Vehicle Type|Efficiency|Capacity|Capacity Unit|
-|------------|----------|--------|----|
+|Vehicle Type|Efficiency Unit|Capacity Measure|Capacity Unit|
+|------------|---------------|----------------|-------------|
 |Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)|Miles per Gallon (MPG)|Gas Tank Size|Gallons|
 |Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)|Watt-hours per Mile (Wh/mi)|Battery Capacity|kilowatt-hours (kWh)|
 
-**Note:** A lower Wh/mi is *more* efficient than a higher Wh/mi, because
-the numerator and denominator are reversed (the ratio is energy/distance
-instead of distance/energy).
+**Note:** Unlike MPG, a lower Wh/mi is *more efficient* than a higher
+Wh/mi, because the numerator (Wh) and denominator (mi) are reversed.  In
+other words, the ratio is energy/distance instead of distance/energy.
 
-Annoyingly, some sites will show energy efficiency using slightly
-different units (e.g. kWh/100mi) or even inverted (e.g. mi/kW).  So make
-sure to pay attention to the units.
+Annoyingly, some sites will show EV efficiency using a different base
+(kWh/100mi) or even inverted (mi/kWh).  So make sure to pay attention to
+the units.
 
 The EPA has a database of EV efficiency, battery capacity, and
 standardized test results available at [fueleconomy.gov][epa].
 
-Here are the efficiency and range ratings from [fueleconomy.gov][epa]
-for the vehicles used in the examples below:
+Here are the efficiency, capacity, and range ratings from
+[fueleconomy.gov][epa] for the vehicles used in the examples below:
 
-##### EPA Efficiency and Range Ratings
+**EPA Efficiency and Range Ratings**
 |Model|Efficiency|Capacity|Range (miles)|
 |-----|----------|--------|------------:|
 |[2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD][epa-model3]|290 Wh/mi|75 kWh|310 mi|
 |[2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|55 MPG|11.9 gallons|**650 mi**|
-|[2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Standard RWD][epa-mach-e]|340 Wh/mi|230 mi|
-|[2020 Hyundai Kona EV][epa-kona]|280 Wh/mi|258 mi|
+|[2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Standard RWD][epa-mach-e]|295 Wh/mi|64 kWh|230 mi|
+|[2020 Hyundai Kona EV][epa-kona]|280 Wh/mi|64 kWh|258 mi|
 
 ## Chargers
-EV chargers (aka [EVSEs][evse]) are grouped into three categories by power
-output, measured in kilowatts (kW):
+EV chargers ([Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, or EVSE][evse]) are
+grouped into three categories by power output, measured in kilowatts
+(kW):
 
-##### Charger Types
+**Charger Types**
 |Type|Charging Speed (mi/hr)|Power (kW)|Efficiency (%)|Time (50 Miles)|Time (90% SoC)|Time (100% SoC)|
 |----|---------------------:|---------:|-------------:|-------:|--:|---:|
 |Level 1 (L1)|5 mi/hr|1.2 kW|85%|10 hours|57 hours|63 hours|
@@ -50,11 +51,11 @@ Columns:
 |Column Name|Column Description|
 |-----------|------------------|
 |Type|Name and abbreviation.|
-|Charging Speed (mi/hr)|The number of miles of range per hour I gain in my car for this type of charger.  I like to use this instead of kW because it's easier for people to think about than kW or kWh.|
+|Charging Speed (mi/hr)|Miles of range per hour gained by a [2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD][epa-model3] for this type of charger.  I like to use miles per hour instead of kW because it's easier for people to visualize than kW.|
 |Efficiency|Energy efficiency for this type of charger, expressed as a percentage and calculated as the difference between the energy from the wall minus the energy that reaches the battery, divided by the energy from the wall (`(Ew - Eb)/Ew`).|
-|50 Miles|Time to gain 50 miles of range in my car using this type of charger.  I included this column because [most Americans drive less than 40 miles per  day](https://www.bts.gov/archive/publications/passenger_travel_2015/chapter2a).|
-|90% Charge|Time to charge from 0 to 90% in my car using this type of charger.  I included this column because you don't charge EVs to 100% except on long trips.|
-|Full Charge|Time to charge from 0 to 100% in my car using this type of charger.|
+|Time (50 Miles)|Time to gain 50 miles of range in my car using this type of charger.  I included this column because [most Americans drive less than 40 miles per  day](https://www.bts.gov/archive/publications/passenger_travel_2015/chapter2a).|
+|Time (90% SoC)|Time to charge my car from 0% to 90% using this type of charger.  I included this column because you don't charge EVs to 100% except on long trips.|
+|Time (100% SoC)|Time to charge my car from from 0% to 100% using this type of charger.|
 
 The [Alternative Fuels Data Center][afdc] has a [great summary of EV
 chargers](https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_infrastructure.html#level2).
@@ -75,22 +76,21 @@ trips.
 Home Level 1 charging is billed at the residential energy rate.  In
 Virginia at $0.13/kWh and 85% efficiency, I pay:
 
-##### Cost of Charging, Home Level 1 Charger
-|Description|Cost|Energy|
-|-----------|---:|-----:|
-|50 miles of range|$2.22|14 kWh|
-|90% Charge (270 miles)|$10.32|67.5 kWh|
-|100% Charge (310 miles)|$11.48|75 kWh|
+**Cost of Charging, Home Level 1 Charger**
+|Description|Energy|Cost|
+|-----------|-----:|---:|
+|50 miles of range|14 kWh|$2.22|
+|90% Charge (270 miles)|67.5 kWh|$10.32|
+|100% Charge (310 miles)|75 kWh|$11.48|
 
 Here is a cost per mile comparison of [my car][epa-model3] using home Level 1
 charging versus [Nadine's car][epa-ioniq], assuming $0.13/kWh for
-electricity and [$3.189/gallon](https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=VA) for
-gasoline:
+electricity and [$3.189/gallon][gas-cpg-va] for gasoline in Virginia:
 
-##### Cost Per Mile Comparison, Home Level 1 Charger
+**Cost Per Mile Comparison, Home Level 1 Charger**
 |Vehicle|Energy Source|Unit Price|Cost per Mile|
 |-------|-------------|---------:|------------:|
-|[2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|Gasoline|$3.189/gallon|$0.0580|
+|[2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|Gasoline|[$3.189/gallon][gas-cpg-va]|$0.0580|
 |[2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD][epa-model3]|Home L1 EVSE|$0.13/kWh|**$0.0444**|
 
 ### Level 2 Chargers
@@ -117,28 +117,27 @@ The installation is probably something you and Steve could do
 yourselves, so you would only pay for the equipment, wiring, and an
 inspection (if necessary).
 
-##### Cost of Charging, Home Level 2 Charger
-|Description|Cost|Energy|
-|-----------|---:|-----:|
-|50 miles of range|$1.99|14 kWh|
-|90% Charge (270 miles)|$9.23|67.5 kWh|
-|100% Charge (310 miles)|$10.27|75 kWh|
+**Cost of Charging, Home Level 2 Charger**
+|Description|Energy|Cost|
+|-----------|-----:|---:|
+|50 miles of range|14 kWh|$1.99|
+|90% Charge (270 miles)|67.5 kWh|$9.23|
+|100% Charge (310 miles)|75 kWh|$10.27|
 
 Here is a cost per mile comparison of [my car][epa-model3] using home
 Level 2 charging versus [Nadine's car][epa-ioniq], assuming $0.13/kWh
-for electricity and [$3.189/gallon](https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=VA)
-for gasoline:
+for electricity and [$3.189/gallon][gas-cpg-va] for gasoline:
 
-##### Cost Per Mile Comparison, Home Level 2 Charger
+**Cost Per Mile Comparison, Home Level 2 Charger**
 Vehicle|Energy Source|Unit Price|Cost per Mile|
 |------|-------------|---------:|------------:|
-|[2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|Gasoline|$3.189/gallon|$0.0580|
+|[2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|Gasoline|[$3.189/gallon][gas-cpg-va]|$0.0580|
 |[2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD][epa-model3]|Home L2 EVSE|$0.13/kWh|**$0.0398**|
 
 ### Level 3 Chargers
 Level 3 chargers, also known as DC Fast Chargers (DCFC), charge EVs
 quickly by skipping the vehicle's internal charging circuitry and
-pumping energy directly to the battery.
+pumping energy directly to the battery pack.
 
 Level 3 chargers are:
 
@@ -149,31 +148,47 @@ Level 3 chargers are more expensive than Level 2 chargers.  Some Level 3
 chargers bill by time (for example, in North Carolina), but most bill by
 amount of energy used, measured in kWh.
 
-The Tesla Superchargers near me charge $0.25/kWh.  At that price it
-costs me:
+[EVgo][], the largest non-Tesla Level 3 charging network, currently has
+a much higher cost per kWh than the [Tesla Supercharger][supercharger]
+network.  There is an optional $4 monthly subscription which brings the
+cost per kWh down to a more reasonable level, but as far as I can tell
+the subscription is still not worth it unless you do a lot of long
+distance travel each month.
+
+The [Tesla Superchargers][supercharger] near me charge $0.25/kWh.  At
+$0.25/kWh, it costs me:
+
+**Cost of Charging, Tesla Supercharger**
+|Description|Energy|Cost|
+|-----------|-----:|---:|
+|50 miles of range|14 kWh|$3.50|
+|90% Charge (270 miles)|67.5 kWh|$16.88|
+|100% Charge (310 miles)|75 kWh|$18.75|
 
-* $3.50 for 50 miles of range (14kWh)
-* $16.88 for a 90% charge (67.5kWh, 270 miles)
-* $18.75 for a full charge (75kWh, 310 miles)
+Here is a cost per mile comparison of [my car][epa-model3] using [Tesla
+Superchargers][supercharger] versus [Nadine's car][epa-ioniq], assuming
+$0.25/kWh for electricity and [$3.189/gallon][gas-cpg-va] for gasoline:
 
-Cost Per Mile Comparison (excluding taxes, fees, and maintenance)
-Vehicle,Fuel Source,Cost per Mile (excluding taxes, fees, and maintenance)
-Nadine's Car,Gasoline at $3.189/gallon,$0.0580
-My Car,Home Level 2 Charging at $0.13/kWh,$0.070
+**Cost Per Mile Comparison, Tesla Superchargers**
+|Vehicle|Energy Source|Unit Price|Cost per Mile|
+|-------|-------------|----------|------------:|
+|[2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|Gasoline|[$3.189/gallon][gas-cpg-va]|**$0.0580**|
+|[2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD][epa-model3]|[Supercharger][]|$0.25/kWh|$0.0700|
 
 ### Finding Chargers
 EV chargers do not need a large fuel tank or pumps, so they are often
 tucked away in the corners of parking lots and other inconspicuous
 places.
 
-Alonzo and Christine drove through North and South Dakota a few years
+For example, Alonzo and Christine drove through the Dakotas a few years
 ago, and Alonzo sent me some funny pictures of surprise chargers tucked
 just out of view along the way.
 
-Another example is one of the Tesla Superchargers near my house, which
-is [located the parking lot behind a convenience store](https://www.plugshare.com/location/251943).
+Another example is one of the [Tesla Superchargers][supercharger] near
+my house, which is [located the parking lot behind a convenience
+store](https://www.plugshare.com/location/251943).
 
-Here are a few good resources for finding chargers:
+Here are a few good resources for finding EV chargers:
 
 * [PlugShare](https://plugshare.com/): Web site and phone app that
   allows you to search for chargers and filter the results by plug type
@@ -181,50 +196,55 @@ Here are a few good resources for finding chargers:
   there are service problems (examples: a broken charger or a non-EV
   car blocking one of the spots).  I have the PlugShare app installed on
   my phone and set to only show free Level 2 chargers by default.
-* [Alternative Fuels Station Locator](afdc-stations): Searchable
+* [Alternative Fuels Station Locator][afdc-stations]: Searchable
   nation-wide database of chargers.  Not as useful as PlugShare.
-* [Tesla Supercharger Map](https://www.tesla.com/findus?v=2): Tesla's
-  map of Superchargers in the United States.  **Hint:** Click the icons
-  at the bottom to exclude "Stores and Galleries", "Service",
-  "Destination Charging", and "Collision Centers".  
+* [Tesla Supercharger Map][supercharger]: Tesla's map of Superchargers
+  in the United States.  **Hint:** Click the icons at the bottom to
+  exclude the following: "Stores and Galleries", "Service", "Destination
+  Charging" (Destination Charging is Tesla's name for L2 chargers), and
+  "Collision Centers"
+
+Most EVs have built-in software to route to the nearest Level 3 charger,
+so you don't have to fiddle with your phone while you're driving.
 
-Most EVs also have built-in software to find and route to the nearest
-Level 3 charger, so you don't have to fiddle with your phone while
-you're driving.
+## Long Distance Travel
+I'm breaking this section into a "Tesla" section and a "non-Tesla"
+sections because the answers differ.
 
-## Long Distance Driving
-I'm breaking this into a "Tesla" section and a "non-Tesla" sections,
-because the answers are different.
+Tesla has spent the last several years building their Supercharger
+network, so long distance travel is fairly straightforward.  The
+non-Tesla network is still being built, which means that long-distance
+travel is a bit more complicated.
 
-### Long Distance Driving (Tesla)
+### Tesla Long Distance Travel
 You do have to worry about charging on long distance trips, but in
-practice it is not that big of a deal with Tesla EVs unless you are
+practice it is not that big of a deal with Tesla vehicles unless you are
 traveling more than 100 miles from a major travel route.
 
-Tesla has been building their Supercharger network since 2012, and as of
-2021 Superchargers are located every 100 miles or so along most major
-travel routes in the United States.
+Tesla has been building their Supercharger network since 2012.  As of
+2021, [Superchargers][supercharger] are located every 100 miles or so
+along most major travel routes in the United States.
 
 You can see that yourself by doing the following:
 
-1. Go to the [Map of Tesla Superchargers][supercharger-map].
+1. Go to the [Map of Tesla Superchargers][supercharger].
 2. Click the buttons at the bottom to filter out everything except for
    "Superchargers".
 3. Zoom the map out to see the entire United States.
 
-#### Falls Church, VA to Spring Lake, NC
+#### Example: Falls Church, VA to Spring Lake, NC
 For example, in 2019, Nadine and I drove to visit Robert and Jenn in
 Spring Lake, NC, which is 320 miles from Falls Church.
 
-We stopped at two Superchargers on the way there:
+We stopped at two Superchargers on the way:
 
 * Chester, VA
 * Smithfield, NC
 
-We didn't even need the second stop to make it to Spring Lake.  I made
-the second stop because Spring Lake is a small town with no Level 3
+We didn't even need the second stop to make it to Spring Lake, NC.  I made
+the second stop because Spring Lake, NC is a small town with no Level 3
 chargers and very few Level 2 chargers, so it was easier to charge 
-before we drove in, then forget that we had an electric car for the
+before we drove in, and then forget that we had an electric car for the
 weekend.
 
 On the way back we stopped at three Superchargers:
@@ -238,7 +258,7 @@ driving and Nadine was hungry.  I remember that stop, because Nadine
 decided that eating clam chowder from a convenience store was a good
 idea.  It was not a good idea.
 
-#### Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA (Tesla)
+#### Example: Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA
 On the phone you asked about:
 
 1. Driving from Eugene to Port Angeles.  See the notes below.
@@ -272,28 +292,26 @@ Eugene to Port Angeles without stopping for gas.
 realistically I would need to stop at least once to relax and stretch my
 legs for 30 minutes).
 
-Anyway, the given the [average cost of gasoline in Lane County
-($3.746)](https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=OR), and a distance of 339
-miles:
-
-##### Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA
+Anyway, given the [average cost of gasoline in Lane County
+($3.746)][gas-cpg-or], and a distance of 339 miles:
 
-|Vehicle|Stops (#)|Stops (min)|Cost|
-|-------|--------:|----------:|---:|
+**Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA**
+|Vehicle|Number of Stops|Total Stop Time (min)|Cost|
+|-------|--------------:|--------------------:|---:|
 |Nadine|**0**|**0**|$23.09|
 |Paul|2|17|**$10.48**|
 
-### Long Distance Driving (non-Tesla)
+### Non-Tesla Long Distance Travel
 
-You can still make long distance trips in non-Tesla EVs, but it's more
-complicated because:
+Long distance travel is possible non-Tesla EVs, but it's a bit more
+complicated:
 
-* there are fewer non-Tesla Level 3 chargers,
-* non-Tesla Level 3 chargers are more expensive, and
-* non-Tesla Level 3 chargers have screwy billing rates (in other words,
+* There are fewer non-Tesla Level 3 chargers,
+* Non-Tesla Level 3 chargers are more expensive, and
+* Non-Tesla Level 3 chargers have screwy billing rates (in other words,
   they are a rip off)
 
-#### Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA (non-Tesla)
+#### Example: Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA
 Here is route for the same trip from Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA in a
 [Ford Mustang Mach-E Standard RWD][epa-mach-e], according to
 [ABRP][]:
@@ -323,11 +341,12 @@ The fastest way to travel from Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA in a
 The total cost of energy would be $18.55 (less expensive than [Nadine's
 car][epa-ioniq], but still not as good as [my car][epa-model3]).
 
-Here is how all the cars stack up:
+Here is how the number of stops, total stop time, and total cost stack
+up across all of the example cars:
 
-##### Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA
-|Vehicle|Stops (#)|Stops (min)|Cost|
-|-------|--------:|----------:|---:|
+**Eugene, OR to Port Angeles, WA, All Example Vehicles**
+|Vehicle|Number of Stops|Total Stop Time (min)|Cost|
+|-------|--------------:|--------------------:|---:|
 |[2017 Hyundia Ioniq Hybrid][epa-ioniq]|**0**|**0**|$23.09|
 |[2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD][epa-model3]|2|17|**$10.48**|
 |[2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD][epa-mach-e]|2|51|$23.27|
@@ -351,7 +370,7 @@ Tesla Model Y LR AWD:
   "J1772 standard level 2 EV charger plug"
 [afdc-stations]: https://afdc.energy.gov/stations/#/find/nearest?fuel=ELEC
   "Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator"
-[supercharger-map]: https://www.tesla.com/findus?v=2
+[supercharger]: https://www.tesla.com/findus?v=2
   "Map of Tesla Superchargers"
 [abrp]: https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
   "A Better Route Planner (ABRP)"
@@ -359,3 +378,11 @@ Tesla Model Y LR AWD:
   "2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Standard RWD"
 [epa-kona]: https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=44444
   "2020 Hyundai Kona EV"
+[supercharger]: https://www.tesla.com/findus
+  "Tesla Supercharger network"
+[gas-cpg-va]: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=VA
+  "Cost of gas per gallon in Fairfax County"
+[gas-cpg-or]: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=OR
+  "Average cost of gas per gallon in Lane County"
+[evgo]: https://www.evgo.com/
+  "EVgo DCFC charging network"