Guest Post: 7 Electric Car Myths Busted
This guest post by Gaëtan Royer debunks common electric car myths. Gaëtan is Metro Vancouver's Manager of Metropolitan Planning, Environment & Parks. Passionate about the environment and a healthy future for his grandkids, he wrote
A Time for Cities
, and designed and built a sustainable home in Port Moody.
There are many myths that surround electric cars.
When asked to write about my experience driving a GM Volt, the first thought that came to mind was: "what an efficient way to answer all at once these funny questions that people ask me all the time."
As a background, my daily commute is 46 kilometers and since I've been driving the Volt I have yet to buy one drop of fuel. I now have over 2,000 eerily silent, trouble-free and gas-free kilometers under my belt. Entering my third month without stopping at a gas station feels great. The Volt's been very thrifty to run - at today's BC Hydro rates, a full charge costs less than $1.00. The BC government helped out with a $5,000 grant toward the car's purchase.
Despite all the benefits of owning an electric car, it surprises me how often I am asked the same questions. Listed below are the top seven incorrect assumptions that people make about the Volt.
- Isn't it a hybrid? Not really, because the car runs purely electric for the first 50 to 80 kilometers. In typical hybrids, the engine kicks in soon after you've pulled out of your driveway. My 2008 Toyota Prius was a fuel-efficient car, but it would only travel a few hundred meters before its engine started. By contrast, I can use the Volt as practical electric-only transportation for 50+ kilometers.
- What difference does it make since you still consume energy? In BC, 93% of BC Hydro's power is from clean and renewable resources. The vast majority of my driving is therefore in low-GHG (greenhouse gas) electric mode. Even when operating in gasoline mode, the Volt is still one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.
- Don't you fear running out of battery power? When I travelled from Vancouver to visit my daughter in Chilliwack, I ran out of electricity just outside Abbotsford. The incredible thing about depleting the Volt's battery is rather underwhelming: nothing happens. Well… nothing that makes any difference. The on-board gas generator kicks in to start recharging the battery; a dashboard light shifts from "battery" to "gas." Besides these subtle cues, the car maintains its exact same speed and functions normally.
- Does it feel like driving a golf cart? Sorry to disappoint anyone by debunking the golf cart myth but the Volt is a roomy 4-seater that looks pretty good. It has the low-end torque of a sports car. Its torque is 273 lb.-ft. from a standing start which, in non-technical terms, means that it quickly accelerates to highway speed, keeps up with any traffic and, as I read somewhere, reaches speeds that will earn you a very steep fine indeed.
- Do you need a special place to plug-in? The Volt comes equipped with a power cord and charger that plugs into a standard household outlet. GM also sells a 240 volt charger that will recharge the battery in 3 hours. I decided to forego the fast charger because I plug in every night, which is plenty of time for a full charge.
- Isn't it difficult to find places to plug-in? Several employers, major hotel chains and businesses already have dedicated parking stalls with outlets for electric cars. More will no doubt follow as the market evolves. I would encourage readers to discuss with their employer before buying a plug-in electric like the GM Volt and Nissan Leaf if they think they want to recharge before the trip back home.
- So are there any drawbacks? Well, I haven't found any so far. An electric car may not be for everyone but it fits my lifestyle. It is certainly worth looking beyond the myths. Although first adopters of a new technology face some risks, I feel great that I have already achieved a steep reduction of my carbon footprint.
A big thank you to Gaëtan Royer for sharing an illuminating and first hand perspective of electric car ownership.