Since the introduction of Hybrid cars in the US market with the Honda Insight in 1999 and release of plug-in electric car GM Impact EV1 in 1996, I have long considered the benefits of owning one. The promise and perception of high MPG and helping the environment has been extolled for years since. Does this really add up to being beneficial to owning one?
Fuel Savings (aka Save me money):
In order to understand the fuel savings we need to factor both the initial and recurring costs of operating the car. Lets model out two choices available on the market today for my 50 mile daily commute:- Chevy Volt
- MSRP: $39,995
- Recurring:
- Cost per day:
- 35 Electric miles = $1.50 http://gm-volt.com/chevy-volt-faqs/
- 15 Gas miles = $3.70 @ 37 Mpg = $1.50
- Total = $3
- Cost per year:
- $3 * 5days * 52 weeks = $780.00
- Hyundai Veloster
- MSRP: $17,999
- Recurring:
- Cost per day:
- 50 gas miles = $3.70 @ 31 Mpg = $5.96
- Cost per year
- $5.96 * 5 days * 52 weeks = $1550
- DIFFERENCE
- MSRP: $22,000
- Recurring: $770/year
Environmental Impact:
According to EIA.gov , Georgia electricity comes from 30% coal fired (1001g/KwH), 34% natural gas (443g/KwH), and 31% Nuclear (66g/KwH) plants, so lets look at the environmental impact for both of the cars listed above:- Chevy Volt (PHEV)
- Carbon produced from operation:
- Per Day
- 35 Electric Miles = 0.3KwH * 50 = 11 KwH of electricity https://www.corporatemonkeycpa.com/2017/12/09/how-to-calculate-your-ev-cost-per-mile
- 11KwH * 30% * 1001g Kwh Coal CO2 = 3,303 g C02
- 11KwH * 34% * 443g KwH Natural Gas CO2 = 1656 g CO2
- 11KwH * 31% * 66g KwH Nuclear Uranium Mining CO2 = 225 g CO2
- http://www.mychevroletvolt.com/first-chevy-volt-electricity-bill-pge
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas#Carbon_dioxide_emissions
- 15 Gas Miles = 423g / mile = 6,345g CO2
- Per year
- Total = 11,529 g/day * 5day * 52 weeks = 2,998 Kg
- Carbon produced from manufacturing Lithium Ion Battery
- Per Year
- Total = 352Kg / 5year lifespan = 70Kg
- Carbon produced total
- Per Year
- 3,068 Kg
- 2017 Nissan Leaf (EV)
- Carbon produced from operation:
- Per Day
- 50 Electric Miles = 0.3KwH * 50 = 15KwHs of electricity https://www.corporatemonkeycpa.com/2017/12/09/how-to-calculate-your-ev-cost-per-mile
- 15KwH * 30% * 1001g Kwh Coal CO2 = 4,504 g C02
- 15KwH * 34% * 443g KwH Natural Gas CO2 = 2,259 g CO2
- 15KwH * 31% * 66g KwH Nuclear Uranium Mining CO2 = 306g CO2
- Per Year
- Total = 7,069g * 5day * 52 weeks = 1,838Kg
- Carbon produced from manufacturing Lithium Ion Battery
- Per Year
- Total = 352Kg / 5year lifespan = 70Kg
- Carbon product total
- Per year
- 1,908 Kg
- Hyundai Veloster (GAS)
- Carbon produced from operation:
- Per Day
- 50 Gas Miles = 423g / mile = 21150g CO2
- Per year
- Total = 21150* 5 day * 52 weeks = 5,400Kg
- Carbon produced from refining gasoline with electricity (Updated)
- Per Day
- 4.5 KwH / Gallon = 0.14 KwH / Mile (31Mpg) = 7 KwH / 50 Miles = 7,007g CO2
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQpX-9OyEr4
- Per Year
- Total = 7007 * 5 day * 52 weeks = 1,821Kg
- Carbon wasted during refining gasoline (updated)
- Carbon produced total
- Per year
- 7,277Kg
For a yearly commute, amount of CO2 produced
- Leaf (EV) - 1,908 Kg
- Volt (Hybrid) - 3,068 Kg
- Veloster (Gas) - 7,277 Kg
Summary
- I am publishing this out to the internet in order to get feedback to help catch any errors in my logic and will happily adjust anything that is brought up.
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