The present condition and benefits of electric vehicles (EV).

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After I was reading Greene and Plotkin (2011), I am investigating the expanding electric vehicle market as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emission from the U.S. With the growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly vehicles around the world, the electric vehicle market is also expanding. The government is expanding its infrastructure and offering incentives to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.
EVs can benefit from the economic and clean to fuel. The plug-in vehicle can save more than $3 million in fuel costs a year, and electricity chargers are relatively stable compared to gasoline. In addition, compared to gasoline cars, EV users can save more than $950 a year. As of 2014, Oregon gasoline cars averaged $12.16 per 100 miles. However, EV only cost $3.41 on average in the case of them. Also, EVs also operate on fewer parts than gasoline vehicles, resulting in maintenance costs and more than 60% cheaper to maintain due to regenerative braking which slows the vehicle’s speed when electricity occurs. (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015)
Source: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015.

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015.
According to State of Oregon agencies, Oregon ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to plug-in vehicles per capita. As of June 30, 2018, Oregon had 17,893 registered electric vehicles and 1,272 public chargers in 528 locations. Seven charging networks operate in the state. Besides, private charging stations are 64 and chargers are 95. Also, according to Charge Hub, the 89.8% charging infrastructure in Portland is Level 2, which can be charged 10 to 20 miles per hour. 85 charging infrastructures are free charging stations located mainly in the Old China-town and the eastern part of the Willamette River.
 
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
Portland first introduced electric vehicles to solve the mobility problem of low-income people and color, and encouraged them to use electric vehicles while providing them with cheaper options. The Multnomah County aims to change at least 10,000 gas and diesel vehicles into electric vehicles until 2020. (City of Portland, Oregon, 2016)

In the U.S., the federal provides a tax credit of $2,500 to $7,500 depending on the size of EV and battery capacity. Oregon provides partial refunds for the purchase or rent of EVs through the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. In particular, the low-income and mid-income class people will be reimbursed $2,500 for new or used electric vehicles.(U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.)
In Portland, the federal government supports up to $7,500 in EV buyers and, for Oregon residents, deducts up to $1,500 in energy taxes. If an individual sets up a charging station, the federal government will pay a maximum of $2,000 and reduce energy taxes by up to $750 for Oregon residents. (City of Portland, Oregon.)
Furthermore, Portland General Electric provides the information of location the Electric Avenue. The Electric Avenue(SW Salmon between SW 1st and 2nd avenues) has been in place in Portland since February 20, 2018. There are four DCFC(Direct Current Fast Charge) and two Level 2 charging stations, and the parking and electric charging fees are added together.


                               Source: Portland General Electric.
Reference

Charge Hub. “Charge your EV in Portland.” Retrieved from https://chargehub.com/en/countries/united-states/oregon/portland.html?city_id=411

City of Portland, Oregon. 2016. 12. “2017 City of Portland Electric Vehicle Strategy.” Retrieved from

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/619275

City of Portland, Oregon. “Electric Vehicles: The Portland Way.” Retrieved from

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=309915

Greene, D. L. and Plotkin, S. E. 2011. “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emission from U.S. Transportation.” Prepared for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

Portland General Electric. “Electric Avenue: Plug in, Charge up, Drive on.” Retrieved from https://www.portlandgeneral.com/residential/electric-vehicles-charging-stations/electric-avenue
State of Oregon agencies. “Go Electric Oregon.” Retrieved from https://goelectric.oregon.gov/2020-goal

Union of Concerned Scientists. 2015. “How Oregon Can Benefit from Electric Vehicles.” Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/03/How%20Oregon%20Can%20Benefit%20from%20Electric%20Vehicles.pdf

 U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. “Alternative Fueling Station Locator.” Retrieved from https://www.afdc.energy.gov/stations/#/find/nearest?country=US&fuel=ELEC

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. “Electric Vehicles: Tax Credits and Other Incentives.” Retrieved from


Written by: Minju Kim
Edited by: Sara Urbina

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 24, 2018 at 4:20 PM

    I would be interested in learning more about this statement: "Portland first introduced electric vehicles to solve the mobility problem of low-income people and color, and encouraged them to use electric vehicles while providing them with cheaper options." electric vehicles are very expensive, is the city subsidizing cars? I wonder if this is what people even want or need..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 1, 2018 at 2:24 PM

      Hi Sofia, Thank you for comment. If you buy electric cars in Portland, the federal government will provide up to $7,500 depending on vehicle size and battery capacity, and reduce energy taxes by up to $1,500 for Oregon residents.
      Because of the perception that electric vehicles are expensive, there is a lot of effort to subsidize them, and I think the increase in the number of electric car buyers will also decrease.

      Delete

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