Thursday, August 18, 2011

Why electric vehicles are so important to the United States

By Chris Noonan, Institute for Energy & Sustainability

We've been here before — during the mid 19th and early 20th century, when the first ever motor-vehicles made in America rolled out onto unpaved dirt roads, powered by an electric motor and supported by a rudimentary battery. 

And we came again in the 1990s — during the modernist eco-movement of chic organic cotton, granola bars and promises of strong federal environmental legislation. 

EVs roared out of hyper-efficient 21st century robotically controlled assembly lines, only to be relegated to the Hollywood documentary, "Who killed the Electric Car." But this time it is more important than ever that we do not go away or turn back — that we capitalize on EVs — and it's especially important from an American perspective. 

To borrow from David Letterman of the Late Show, here is a top 10 list of why EVs are so important to the U.S.



1. America loves the automobile

Alternative transportation is great, necessary and environmentally efficient, but America is built by and for the automobile, with a long and cherished history of being "on the road," "on the move" and "on the go" — a little piece of Dean Moriarty lives in all of us. Granted, some of this will change as climate and fuel pressures mount, and as Americans improve alternate transportation, but it will never fully replace our passion for Sunday driving. However, with EVs we can have the best of both worlds: individual mobility and pollution-free transit. 


2. We cannot afford to miss the boat

More and more governments, religious organizations, corporations — even our beloved cartoon family, the Simpson’s — have "gone green." Two lessons can be learned here: people are no longer ignoring the realities of a changing climate and the need to react to it, and there are innumerable and proven social, environmental and economic benefits of going green. EV's are no magic bullet, but they deliver bang for the buck. 



3. Detroit, Detroit, Detroit

America's economy was built on the back of the Model T and the innovation of Henry Ford's assembly line. Are we going to watch our favorite ship sink unnoticed in the night, or patch the leak and sail to shore? My college professor told an apt story about the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) negotiations in the 1990s. Japanese automakers brought their top engineers to work out the best way to meet federal guidelines. Americans — we brought our lobbyists to fight for business as usual. Now, see where Toyota is compared to GM. The message is, more engineers in Detroit. Let’s not miss Round 2 – the electric vehicle. 



4. An economy boost

Electric vehicles are creating too big of an economic opportunity for our country to miss. Think of the Chevy Volt. This vehicle — released in 2011 — is already ranked as car of the year by Motor Trend and the No. 2 car by US News & World Report, and has already filled its 2011 sales quota. A great boost for Chevy. Ford realized the success of this and is releasing the all electric Ford Focus in early 2012. When the Prius was first released by Toyota, many were skeptical, but now it is Toyota's top-selling vehicle. MSN reported Toyota's 2010 sales at $242 billion; GM's are $136 billion. It's time we catch on and catch up. 



5. It's about spinoffs
Not only does Detroit and other car manufacturers around the country need to make substantial production line changes, but so do the long list of supply chain manufacturers that make the equipment to manufacture these vehicles. More manufacturing orders mean more jobs, and more jobs mean more money circulating in the economy. Then consider the long list of add-ons, charging stations, cords, batteries, smart phone apps, electricians, mechanics, dash-board technology. Much of this is being designed and patented right here in the good ol’ USA. Translation — One vehicle, many vendors. 



6. Reducing our foreign fuel dependence
Europe has this figured out: The more money we send to other countries to top off our gas tanks, the less money is retained domestically. Much of the foreign investment through our consumer vote of purchasing gasoline will never be converted back into a U.S. dollar. Keep dollars as dollars. We are in a global economy and still have a responsibility to help neighboring countries, but the less we send overseas, the more we have for roads, education and health care here in this country. Also, keep in mind that EVs traditionally go 100 miles per charge. By some calculations, this means an equivalent total cost of approximately $3.50, compared to one gallon of gas at a cost $4 at an average 27 miles per gallon versus 100 miles per charge. The economic incentives are clear.



7. A boost for renewables

The U.S. grid frequently operates at or near capacity, especially during peak usage times. Think of hot summer days when everyone is enjoying the cool air-conditioned air; The consequence is brownouts, smog and increased fossil fuel demand. What better incentive for increased clean, domestic, locally owned energy, provided abundantly and without the need for extraction mining, made available everyday from the wind and sun.   



8. Be trendy

This is not about keeping up with the Joneses; This is about being the Joneses. Think of the awe and admiration of your neighbors, friends and family, when you pull up in a new, silent, sleek and trendy electric vehicle. For many of us, the about $32,000 price tag is too much, so hold out hope that the price will come down and that the used-EV market will grow, and that currently offered federal and state tax rebates and incentives will grow. But we also need to remember (according to ask.cars.com) that in just one year (2007) over 16 million new cars and trucks were sold in the U.S. alone.  



9. Think exports

Money Morning reported that for the first time since the days of Henry Ford, China outpaced the United States as the "world's largest auto market in 2009 with 13.6 million vehicles sold."   



10. Support nonprofits

The Institute for Energy & Sustainability, a non-profit in Worcester, with a mission to grow and attract clean technology projects and businesses, is committed to developing the electric vehicle market. We are recent recipients of a Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources grant to install 10 charging stations in central Massachusetts (the state awarded municipalities throughout Massachusetts over 150 charging stations).

Chris Noonan is a senior program advisor at the Institute for Energy & Sustainability and does not own a vehicle.