http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/33468740-78/ev-drivers-love-their-cars-and-wouldnt-go-back.html.csp EV drivers love their cars and wouldn’t go back By Phil Barnhart Sept. 9, 2015
When I bought my electric vehicle in 2012, I thought I was doing the right thing for the environment, not getting the best car in the world. I quickly discovered that my new car is such fun to drive and so convenient that I never want to drive anything else. Besides incredible acceleration and performance, EVs leave home every morning fully charged, just like your cell phone. It turns out that most EV drivers love their cars and would never go back. The other thing I realized was my fuel bill went way down. EVs use energy much more efficiently than gas-powered vehicles, and the cost of electricity is cheaper than gas, even with today’s prices. So, while I didn’t notice an uptick in my Eugene Water & Electric Board bill, I sure appreciated the gas money I was keeping in my pocket. Another bonus is that EVs have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance — no more oil changes and more savings! My taxes were reduced the year I bought my car, which helped offset the purchase price, and that $7,500 federal tax credit is still in effect. Also, the state of Oregon offers a tax credit if you install a charger at your home. As a legislator, I think about our local economy all the time. We all want more high-quality jobs and prosperity. The $700 million Lane County residents spend on gas annually doesn’t benefit our local economy — most of it goes to international corporations. By fueling my car with electricity, I’m supporting our local public utilities instead. And spending less money on fuel overall means I have extra cash for things that help our area businesses and create local jobs. Like most people, between work, errands, and in my case, grandchildren, I drive several miles around town each day. Charging overnight with a standard 120 Volt outlet is more than sufficient. I also drive to Salem and Portland fairly often, so I needed a car with a long-range battery. Long-range EVs were expensive and uncommon in 2012, but battery costs are falling fast while the technology keeps getting better. There are about 20 different makes and models of EVs available in Oregon. Selection continues to improve, while prices are coming down. There also are very competitive leasing programs that, depending on your current vehicle and driving patterns, could save you money right away. I travel a lot for meetings, visiting businesses and learning all I can about constituent concerns, and I almost always take my EV. Three years ago it was often hard to get it charged up to finish my journey or drive home. Oregon now has one of the best public charging networks in the country, making it easier to “top off” my battery — and the car tells me where they are. More businesses are figuring out that EVs are economical to use in their fleets and that EV chargers attract new customers, which means more charging options to come. Lastly, I bought my EV because I knew that transportation is Oregon’s biggest contribution to carbon and other air pollution. By contrast, our community’s electricity is generated almost entirely from carbon-free hydropower and other renewable energy sources. More EVs on Oregon’s roads will improve the air we breathe and lower our contribution to greenhouse gases. Your EV could be one of them. Buying or leasing an EV has not been practical until recently. Though EVs are not widely advertised (you will have to search for them), it makes sense to make the effort if you are in the market for yourself or your business. Big Oil would love it if you never did, but your wallet, your health, your driving experience and your personal satisfaction will be rewarded if you do. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene, represents District 11 in the Oregon House of Representatives and drives a 2012 Tesla Model S all-electric car. [© registerguard.com] For EVLN posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Drivers-on-a-trip-almost-always-take-their-beloved-EVs-tp4677607.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
