The Electric Vehicle Apocalypse: Myth vs. Reality

By Edward Gossett

Welcome to the brave new world of electric vehicles (EVs), where the roads crumble beneath the weight of these behemoths, and power grids tremble at the mere thought of their existence. Susan Doran and Kathy Mc Johnson have laid bare the tragedy of our times: the EV apocalypse.

The Road Tax Menace

Susan wisely points out that EVs, those monstrous 5,000-pounders, should pay more road tax. After all, they’re clearly out there flattening asphalt like steamrollers. Never mind that states are already taxing EVs to make up for the gas tax they’re missing. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you!

Power Grid Purgatory

Kathy, you’ve nailed it. Imagine 100 apartments, each using an average of 30-40 kWh per day (source: U.S. Energy Information Administration). That’s 3,000-4,000 kWh daily. Now, let’s add 100 EVs charging slowly at 10 kWh each overnight—an extra 1,000 kWh. That’s a 25-33% increase. Sounds terrifying, right?

But let’s dig a little deeper. Most people charge their EVs at Level 1 or 2 chargers at home or work. These slow, grid-friendly chargers spread the load throughout the day and night, easing the strain on the grid. 110v charging, which many companies now offer to employees, doesn’t cost much and helps avoid the evening “duck curve” when everyone comes home and cranks up their electronics. It’s almost like the grid can handle it after all. Who knew?

The Daily Grind: Aeneas Valley to Omak

Consider Joe, our average Joe, driving 48 miles from Aeneas Valley to Omak for work. That’s 96 miles round trip. If Joe charges at home overnight with a Level 1 charger, he’d need about 20 kWh for the trip. That’s a leisurely 12 hours at 1.67 kW. Hardly grid-breaking stuff.

But imagine if Joe plugs into a 110v outlet at work. He’d get an extra 8-9 kWh during his shift. Less strain on the home grid, batteries lasting longer. The horror! How dare we suggest such a balanced approach?

Off-Grid Madness

The sheer lunacy of trying to charge a 65-75 kWh vehicle on your home power bank of 9-12 kWh and a 10-20 kW solar setup, especially in winter, is just mind-boggling, right? Imagine the folly of relying on such a setup to juice up your EV.

But let’s explore some realistic scenarios. Charging an EV overnight with a modest home battery bank might not seem feasible. Yet, in summer, your solar panels can power your home well into the evening, easing the burden on your batteries.

Now, for those harsh Aeneas Valley winters, when the sun is as elusive as a warm day, increasing your home storage makes sense. Instead of running your generator daily or several times a week, you could have a larger battery bank—say 20-30 kWh—to ensure reliable power. This approach significantly reduces generator use.

And here’s a twist: while shopping in Tonasket or Omak, you can top up your EV at a Level 2 charger, adding another 10-11 kWh. Then, use your EV to transfer some of that power back to your home battery bank. This way, you cut down on generator usage, saving on gas and wear-and-tear.

Let’s do the math: if you normally use 10 gallons of gas per week for your generator, that’s about $40 at current prices. Charging at a Level 2 station costs about $0.13 per kWh (source: U.S. Department of Energy), so 10 kWh would cost $1.30. Over a week, that’s just $9.10 to charge 70 kWh. Over a winter season, those savings add up quickly, reducing both costs and environmental impact.

Cost Comparison of EVs and Alternatives

Let’s compare the costs of driving different vehicles from Aeneas Valley to Omak (96 miles round trip):

  • Tesla Model 3 Long Range: With an efficiency of 0.24 kWh/mile, it would use about 23 kWh for the trip. At $0.13 per kWh, that’s about $3.00, or roughly $0.031 per mile.
  • Tesla Model Y: Similar efficiency to the Model 3, so around $3.00 for the trip.
  • Affordable $25k EV: Assuming similar efficiency, also about $3.00 for the trip.
  • Electric Truck (e.g., Ford F-150 Lightning): With an efficiency of about 0.35 kWh/mile, it would use about 34 kWh for the trip, costing about $4.42, or $0.046 per mile.
  • Plug-in Hybrid (e.g., Toyota Prius Prime): Using about 0.20 kWh/mile on electric mode, it would use about 19 kWh, costing approximately $2.47, or $0.026 per mile. On gas, assuming 50 MPG and $4 per gallon, the cost would be about $7.68, or $0.08 per mile. Plug-in hybrids can also output power like a generator to charge your house.
  • Plug-in Hybrid Truck (e.g., Ford F-150 PowerBoost): On electric mode, similar to other hybrids, it could cost about $0.026 per mile. On gas, with an average of 24 MPG, it would cost around $16 for the trip, or $0.17 per mile.
  • Diesel Truck (e.g., Ford F-250): With an average of 20 MPG and diesel at $4 per gallon, the trip would cost about $19.20, or $0.20 per mile.
  • Regular Gas Truck (e.g., Ford F-150): Assuming 18 MPG and $4 per gallon, the cost would be about $21.33, or $0.22 per mile.

Clearly, EVs and plug-in hybrids offer significant cost savings compared to traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles, especially when you factor in the potential for using EVs to stabilize the grid and earn back some money by selling power.

Okanogan County: A Missed Opportunity

In Okanogan County, the Public Utility District (PUD) squandered a significant opportunity to mitigate rising costs by canceling a solar farm project several years ago. Now, the PUD buys 100% of its electricity from other places. During peak demand, this shoots prices up.

Here’s where EVs come to the rescue. In this county, EVs could help stabilize the grid and prevent the dreaded duck curve. If plugged in, EVs could sell power back to the grid when prices are high, helping out neighbors and putting money in your pocket.

Imagine distributed battery farms or incentives for apartments and other places to install them. These setups could buy power when it’s cheap, add solar to the mix, and sell back to the county when demand is high. It’s a win-win for everyone, reducing costs and enhancing grid reliability.

Batteries: The Environmental Scourge

And let’s not forget the environmental catastrophe of EV batteries. Mining for rare earth minerals, battery disposal—it’s an apocalypse. Never mind that companies like Tesla are leading the charge in 100% battery recycling (source: Tesla). Or that using slower chargers can maintain battery life for 10-15 years longer (source: Journal of Power Sources). Those are just pesky facts.

In conclusion, let’s celebrate our reliance on fossil fuels and mock those silly EV proponents who dare to think we can adapt and innovate. Because who needs a sustainable future when we can cling to the past?

Sources:

  • U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
  • Tesla
  • Journal of Power Sources
  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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