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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" |