In the world of electric vehicles, nothing attracts as much speculation or disagreement as the debate over exactly how EV drivers behave. Do they need 100 miles of range or will 30 miles do? How many public recharge stations do they need? Do energy prices influence charging? And so on.
The answers to these questions could have huge implications for the success of EVs. If drivers are satisfied with lower-range cars, fewer recharge points and overnight recharging, then the overall challenge of electrifying the nation’s fleet could be resolved at lower costs and more quickly -- with greater economic and environmental benefits.
The best way to answer these questions, of course, is to watch EV drivers and to learn what they’re actually doing. To assist in that process, the Department of Energy commissioned an industry collaboration -- involving a wide range of carmakers, utilities, retailers, government entities and technology providers -- to help identify current and potential barriers to EV adoption.
Dubbed the EV Project, the program began in late 2010; gathering data from EV drivers willing to share that information. And last week, the EV Project announced it had amassed an unprecedented volume of behavioral data drawn from more than 24 million miles of EV driving.
The DOE awarded management of the project to ECOtality, which manufactures EV charging units and related software. Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF are project partners, too. Qualifying Volt and LEAF drivers also receive a residential charger and installation at little or no cost to themselves.
“We’re beginning to really see how people are using chargers,” said Colin Read, vice president of corporate development for ECOtality. I spoke with Read while he was in New York City.
So far, the EV Project is tracking some 4,600 vehicles. And including public sites the EV Project is also monitoring 6,200 charging stations, made up mostly of the Type II chargers that operate at 240 volts.
Geographically, the project is tracking EV behavior in 18 markets, including the “Birkenstock Belt”— those eco-conscious parts of West Coast: Washington, Oregon and California -- plus sites in Arizona, Texas, as well as Tennessee, where Nissan builds the LEAF. “We picked regions with very little in common on purpose. We’re seeking a diversity of driver experience,” Read said.
The EV Project is also buying EVs from dealer lots, much like regular consumers do, to understand the overall buying experience. “We call it the ‘Noah’s Ark of EV programs,’ because we buy a pair of every EV on the market,” Read joked. The project does make some exceptions, however, with the most costly models, where just one car is enough.
Image of concept alternative electric vehicle by AlexRoz via Shutterstock.
Next page: Early lessons about EVs
The study's conclusions on
The study's conclusions on recharge times and points are useful--but there may be a marketing fallacy here with regard to vehicle range. The early adopters are going to be the people who are satisfied with shorter ranges, because that's where you can use electricity and get efficiencies right now (in most models). Some people who are not adopting EVs may in fact be avoiding them for just this reason.
Jude, I am an early adopter
Jude,
I am an early adopter for several resaons; Short range, however, is not something I am ok with. On many days, I drive my EV to drop my son at school (22 miles ea. way), then into San Francisco to work and back, (21 miles each way), then again to his school and back to pick him up in the late afternoon. That is over 120 miles in each day I do this. I do plug in while at work, (6 hrs on 110V or 3 hrs on 220V), to get the additional 40 or so miles of range needed for the whole trip when I need it.
It's no hassle, FAR easier than stopping for gas. Plug in at home, plug in at work... The only time I've stopped at a gas station in 5 moths since I purchased the car, (other tan road trips in my truck), is to use the bathroom or buy a soda! Mapquest and the on-board nav system makes trip distance planning a breeze... simple math addition.
I am a general contractor and have enough room in my vehicle to put all my tools, my apprentice or son, and my two dogs in. When I need to haul large materials I still use my truck, (maybe 3-4% of the time). By using my Leaf rather than my 15-16 mpg truck, I am saving enough in gas to make my fully financed car payments in entirety! In reality, this is a FREE car for me. In 5 years when it's paid off, whatever it is worth will actually be PROFIT, in addition to the fact that it is free for 5 years due to my gas savings!! :-) When was the last time you, or anyone you know bought a new car, put 100,000 miles on it in 5 years, and made a fat profit in the process?
There are a LOT of people like me... probably most of them with far lower range requirements. If I can make it work, (and pay me handsomely in the process), I'm pretty sure that 90+% of the population can. The really great thing is, the MORE you drive, the MORE money you save and make in the process! When people actually figure this out...(and I can't figure why they haven't yet other than fear of the unknown), they should be lining up at the doors of every Nissan dealer, Ford dealer, and any EV dealer in the country to get their own money saving/making car!