The race for electric vehicles (EVs) is on. Whether we’re ready or not, there is a whole new alphabet of them: EV, BEV, HEV, PHEV, MHEV, and FCEV…what does it all mean?
Beginning with 2026 models, 35% of all new vehicles sold by car manufacturers have to be electric. That increases to 68% by 2030, reaching 100% in 2035. Owners of vehicles with internal combustion engines will still be able to operate or resell them after 2035, though their value will decline.
Electric Vehicles offer many pros. With zero tailpipe emissions, they help keep the air clean and fight climate warming. No engine noise/vibration means a more comfortable drive. Ease of recharging at home is a great convenience if you are a homeowner and have installed a home charger. Public chargers are beginning to pop up in Gorham and other places.
On the plus side, EVs have way fewer working parts (they don’t have gears or catalytic converters, for example) and are cheaper to maintain and operate than gas combustion engines. According to The Kelly Blue Book, the operating price of an EV also depends on the cost/Kilowatt hour of electricity (kWh). Electric rates vary from state to state and can also depend on the time of day and even the time of year. In Maine, average electric rates average about 23¢/kWh, according to EnergySage website, although there is a great deal of variation within different areas of the State.
EVs also have a downside. Their initial high purchase price is high but may be somewhat offset by manufacturer rebates or a $2000 tax rebate in 2023 from Efficiency Maine. Their short driving range, 200-400 miles on average, may require extra planning for long trips. Long charging times and the inconvenience if you lack a home or work charger are issues, too.
Charging cables are now being targeted by thieves who cut unattended cables and sell the copper. Devices like large padlocks and or dash cams can help combat theft. Keeping the charge cable out of sight and locked to something inside a locked trunk is recommended.
Another con is that the transition to EVs will require lots of batteries which currently require expensive metals. Mining them can create an environmental hazard that negates some EVs benefits. Using better and cheaper battery materials will help cut costs. Currently, Lithium ion (Li-ion) is the standard, but they are expensive and slow to charge.
The good news is that scientists and engineers around the world are hard at work improving battery technology, with some surprising results. In a paper published in the online journal nature energy, a team at San Diego University has found that lithium crystals grown on a substance they don’t like produce crystals that can charge in as fast as hour. Other researchers are experimenting and getting good results using sodium batteries, like that found in baking soda or seawater, which can result in cheaper batteries.
Cathodes are typically one of the most expensive parts of a battery. The type of cathode called NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) is the dominant variety in EV batteries today. Those three elements, in addition to lithium, are quite expensive, so finding substitutes for some or all of them could help decrease costs and prevent environmental damage from mining. An alternative, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), is a lower-cost cathode material that can reduce the cost in lithium-ion batteries.
If you’re ready to make the switch, do your research. Talk to EV owners and plan ahead, as there are often waiting lists. Eventually, we will all be embracing the adventure of a new way to drive.