It cost me 18.47 times as much to fuel my old truck. This is AMAZING... :o

[RickLightning]

The challenge is that electric costs vary widely across the country. California, Connecticut, and some other states are widely expensive. Some southern states are dirt cheap.

Solar makes sense if the sun shines enough, and your electric cost is high enough. Makes less sense in a gray winter state with ok electric costs. We go gray from December to April.

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[Yellow Buddy]

Dumb question/poll: Even the cost was dollar for dollar the same as an ICE tuck, would you still want to drive a BEV?

"Yes" votes go here:

I'm a yes for several reasons, CO2 reduction (somewhat dubious in Mass, we have relatively "dirty" electricity), we need to start somewhere to move away from fossile fuels, BTW, it's fun to drive!

Depends on the day.

There are distinct advantages to a BEV and I've driven (checks notes) over half a million miles in them. However when I go down the coast, I do wonder why I wasted an extra 3-5 hours charging and dealing with the aggravation of charging when it cost the same as a gas car. I do wonder if it's worth it. That typically only happens if I have really bad charging days or if I'm trying to squeeze 1000+ miles into a 24-48 hour timeframe.

For me, if the cost is the same, the inconvenience has to go away. That means L2 chargers in every parking lot, DCFCs have a minimum of 8 stalls (preferably 12) per location with a minimum speed of 150KW (preferably 250KW) and they exist every 50 miles apart (preferably 30)

 

[LOV]

Dumb question/poll: Even the cost was dollar for dollar the same as an ICE tuck, would you still want to drive a BEV?

"Yes" votes go here:

I'm a yes for several reasons, CO2 reduction (somewhat dubious in Mass, we have relatively "dirty" electricity), we need to start somewhere to move away from fossile fuels, BTW, it's fun to drive!

I vote a resounding YES for 3 reasons:
1. The Drive is ridiculously FUN, responsive, quiet, quick and enjoyable compared to any ICE. Can you say 1-pedal drive (I know some may hate it, not me)?
2. Efficiency = EV‘s are like 90 efficient delivering ”fuel” to motion - ICE? Lucky to get 20% of your fuel to your wheels.
3. Due to reason 2, and the possibility to ”fuel-up” with renewable electricity, its FAR less CO2 emissions for my personal travel needs.

 

[LOV]

Hi Dan,

RE: CO2 reduction (somewhat dubious in Mass, we have relatively "dirty" electricity)

I choose my electricity supplier here in PA* and have been using various 100% renewable “plans” ever they were available, like more than a decade. Sometimes I pay more, sometimes I pay less** than the “default supplier”. Not wanting to be nosy, just curious, I checked the internet, and wonder if you have looked into any of those options for your situation in Central MA? I know its location dependent, and the plans vary over time, but this link:

https://www.massenergyrates.com/mas...gy suppliers ma&utm_content=Mass Energy Rates

…indicates the following:

“All Massachusetts suppliers provide a small portion (approx. 20%) of their electricity from renewable sources. There are also 100% renewable electricity plans available to you which you will see when comparing plans.”

*Currently, there are 18 states that offer customers a choice of their “electricity supplier”, per this interactive map: https://electricityrates.com/how-to-compare/deregulated-energy-states/

** I have been using Inspire Energy Holdings since 2015 to supply my electrical generation from 100% renewable sources. Over the last one-year-contract, I paid a fixed fee of $99/month for this supply - AND it was based on my pre-Lightning consumption profile! (Lucky me , for 11 months at least). Counting all fixed costs, and local distribution charges in that scenario, I estimated my MARGINAL EV charging cost is about 11-13 cents/kWh (monthly ~$11 of fixed charges assumed covered by non-EV home usage)! Unfortunately, there is no TOU option when you use anyone but the default supplier within PECO Tarriff area... that’s a problem that needs to be fixed… BUT, alas, now, with my Post-Lightning usage profile (increase of about 800 kWh/month), my annual contract with Inspire has just renewed this month to $179/month , so I guess they caught up with me I’m now charging for miles at a 16 cents/kWh. BUT that’s still 1-2 cents LESS than default generation which includes fossil fuel combustion!

Of Course, YMMV! But, I highly recommend looking into your electricity supplier options if you’re in one of those 18 states! Check the plans using the map I linked above.

Not bragging here, just want to show that sometimes a wary energy shopper can make a choice that adds up over time: Last month I got this “impact report” from Inspire: “Since being an Inspire member, you have helped avoid 46,634 pounds of carbon emissions (CO2e) from entering the atmosphere”.

 

[cal]

When we bought our first P85 tesla in 2013 the sales people told me how much I would save vs gas. Of course I thought bs until I actually started tracking costs. It's 62 miles round trip to the cancer center in Portland. At 8.16 cents/wkh it costs me $1.72 each trip. The impact on our monthly electrical bill was almost nothing. But the impact on our check book was incredible. Oh yea we were always blasting off at street lights so bad we wore out our first set of tires at 20k! We're rural and most trips are 10-25 miles. Our $500+/month for gas went away. Got to the point that every time I had to go somewhere I'd think "It's gonna cost me $5 in my Tundra or 50 cents in the tesla."

No looking back!

 

[Karlos]

YES - What a FUN ride !!

13,700 miles since end of January with two long trips - 3,700 miles DFW to Michigan and DFW to Albuquerque & numerous other highway trips - 0.10 cents per mile overall cost.

Cost breakdown: 13% at home (0.11/kWh): 66% DC & other out of town charging 21% free at work charging. Estimate comparison ICE F150 @ 20 mpg & 3.20/gal roughly 0.15 cents per mile. My '99 GMC is even more of a gas hog & I cringe now every time I fill it up !

 

[Kev12345]

I didn't understand just how much EVs would save us in gas... my 2019 RAM 1500 with the HEMI got 11.6 mpg average over my ownership, and I figured $4.50 a gallon was about the average I paid for premium fuel during my ownership. Here's an interesting snapshot of how much less it costs to charge the Ford... we have Time Of Use charging at night that is only 4.4 cents/kw... just thought I'd share the math on my personal experience. $210/yr in electrons vs $3879/yr in gas. Absolutely incredible!

========================================
Moderator includes link to site
https://chooseev.com/savings-calculator/

11.6 mpg? Are you dragging bricks? Why so bad? I average 15-16 in my ‘13 hemi. And why are you using premium fuel?

 

[Zaptor]

11.6 mpg? Are you dragging bricks? Why so bad? I average 15-16 in my ‘13 hemi. And why are you using premium fuel?

The road to my house is 1300'. *Of elevation*

 

[Joe.....Montana]

In Montana we (sort of) only have one major electricity provider (Northwestern Energy). Because they have a monopoly there is a Public Service Commission that is supposed to look out for us captive peasants. The PSC is essentially a rubber stamp for Northwestern Energy and consistently allows them to increase the rates 10....15....28%. After we purchased our home solar was the first major investment so we could get out of the racket. Luckily Northwestern offers 1:1 net metering and only charges a $4.20 "access fee". Besides initial solar cost I pay $4.20 a month for electricity.

Always thought Northwestern Energy and the PSC were the worst...but after reading through the thread and seeing some of the distribution and kwh costs others are dealing with...I'll relax...Hadn't realized how lucky I was to live in different locations with incredibly cheap electricity (Portland, OR, Memphis, TN and Waianae, HI ("cheap" because we used very little electricity).

 

[TaxmanHog]

Cost of electrons is the key, mine are much more expensive (excluding the $7 a month connection fee) I'm paying 27.7 c/kwh. but for computational purposes I used the average of the one year actuals 25.52 c/kwh

Most recent bill for March/April 2024 is in, we're up to 32.56 c/KWH

Drove 70 miles, used 40.6 KWH gross costing $13.22, cost to operate 18.9 c/mile

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Most recent bill for March/April 2024 is in, we're up to 32.56 c/KWH

At 32.56c/kWh the investment in solar has be to be appealing. It varies by state but that’s probably a 5-6 year breakeven?

 

[TaxmanHog]

At 32.56c/kWh the investment in solar has be to be appealing. It varies by state but that’s probably a 5-6 year breakeven?

Very small cape with insufficient exposure and homeowners in the 62+ / 73+ age range, I'm not falling for it at this point, even much younger planted owners would struggle a value return for our house design and location.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Very small cape with insufficient exposure and homeowners in the 62+ / 73+ age range, I'm not falling for it at this point, even much younger planted owners would struggle a value return for our house design and location.

Oof. That stinks, environmental aside is it close to the gas/diesel prices by you?

 

[mparz00]

This will not impact home charging rates, but has anyone looked at Bluedot EV charging app? They need a bunch of personal info because they issue a debit card...
Current rate is $.03/kwh for L2 Chargepoint and $.30/kwh for L3 at Chargepoint and Evgo; along with 20% cash back for other EV charging networks.
No idea how they are doing this or how long it can continue...

 

[RickLightning]

This will not impact home charging rates, but has anyone looked at Bluedot EV charging app? They need a bunch of personal info because they issue a debit card...
Current rate is $.03/kwh for L2 Chargepoint and $.30/kwh for L3 at Chargepoint and Evgo; along with 20% cash back for other EV charging networks.
No idea how they are doing this or how long it can continue...

As I posted last week, the bank they're associated with is under investigation.

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