Earth Matters: 5 Signs You’ll Drive Electric

by Susan Hellauer

Earth Matters focuses on conservation, sustainability, recycling and healthy living. This weekly series is brought to you by Maria Luisa Boutique and Strawtown Studio.
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National Drive Electric Week—celebrating clean, safe, fun electric vehicles—is once again screeching around the corner (September 8-16), making this a good time to catch up with Joel Levin, Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Plug In America. Since we spoke with Levin a year ago, news about the plug-in electric vehicle (EV) market has been overwhelmingly positive.

But what has it been like to boost electric cars in the face of the fossil-fuel friendly Trump Administration? Much better than you’d think, according to Levin. True, most of the advances in EV technology and production are taking place overseas, but those steps are “breathtaking,” Levin said. “If the U.S. doesn’t step up on EVs, in 20 years we won’t be producing cars at all. The world is moving to a new technology, and we’ll either have to lead, or be left behind.”

So, are EV’s really destined to take over the motor vehicle market before mid century? “There are all kinds of indicators that this is a very real thing,” said Levin, who quickly counted off five undeniable signs that an EV is headed to your driveway in the not-too-distant future.

1. Countries continue to announce plans to ban gasoline vehicles

There’s a lot that has happened in just the last year. For starters, there’s a long list of countries that had already announced intentions in 2017 to ban the sale of new diesel and gasoline cars, including Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, China, and India — in other words, pretty much all the major car markets except the U.S. In 2018, the list expanded to include Ireland, Israel, and Taiwan, all of which have expressed an intention to move to electric cars by 2040 or sooner.

Two Chevy Bolts, a Volt, a Tesla S and several others at Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo, CA. Photo Credit: Brennan Balson via National Drive Electric Week

2. Major automakers, here and abroad, are investing big in EV technology

A number of automakers have made major announcements about EV investment, totaling about $100 billion and growing, between now and 2025. That’s some serious money. German companies are committed to the tune of billions of dollars and China’s investment is even bigger. Automakers are showing signs of adapting their business models to comply with changing government regulations. Swedish car maker Volvo (now owned by a Chinese conglomerate) will make only electric or gas/plug-in hybrids starting in 2019.

3. There are 40 electric auto models available now in the U.S. now . . . but in seven years there will be at least 160

Although electric vehicles share only a small fraction of the market now, the writing’s on the wall. Automakers are getting ready for an EV boom, with vehicles on the drawing board in configurations catering to all driving needs. Along with compacts and sedans, look for high-end sports cars, minivans, trucks, and SUVs.

The country’s first Police Chevy Bolt from the City of Hyattsville (MD) Police Department. Photo Credit: Poolesville.Green – JD Taylor, used by permission via National Drive Electric Week

4. China is gearing up for massive battery production

Already it’s the world’s largest producer of EV lithium-ion batteries, China has factories on the drawing board that will increase their production sixfold.

5. EV sales are growing fast

In the first half of 2018, EV sales are up 40% over the same period last year. And that’s with an overall auto market that is relatively flat. According to industry analysts at EV-Volumes, “Plug-in volumes have nearly quadrupled since 2014 and continuing at the current rate of adoption would mean that roughly half of the world’s car sales are plug-ins by 2027.”

Take a look under the hood of a Tesla… electric vehicles have no engine. This owner keeps his bike there. Photo courtesy Flathead Electric Cooperative, Kalispell, MT

Plug it in—near and far

Falling EV prices—for new and used cars and leases—along with increased ranges, rebates, and plug-in hybrid options (which run on electricity for a few dozen miles, then switch to gas) are making it more attractive to go electric. But then there’s the matter of finding charging stations away from home, which can make the prospective EV owner a bit nervous.

Worldwide, charging networks are rolling out rapidly, according to Levin. But what about your neighborhood? “New Jersey has really stepped up lately, and Connecticut, which has always been at the forefront, is doing a ton of work,” said Levin, who added that New York State is “a little behind the curve, so far, but is getting there too,” notably with the “Charge NY” program and charging station finders for longer trips.

But choosing the right EV in this time of improving battery technology and changing rebate programs can be tricky. Finding a car right for commuting, driving vacations, family size, at the right budget . . . it can make your hair hurt to pin down the right vehicle-of-the-future. Not to worry. Plug In America has a new “PlugStar” tool, with a fun quiz to help ID the right EV for every driver’s life.  “There’s a lot going on in the world of EVs, much more since last year,” said Levin. “Just ignore the current Administration and follow the investors and the money. It’s happening, and it’s happening fast.”

2017 National Drive Electric Week event in Waynesville, NC, including vehicles from Tesla, Chevrolet and Nissan. Photo Credit: Joseph Baum via National Drive Electric Week

Charging station headed for the Nyack municipal parking lot this fall. Image courtesy Marcy Denker

Learn more

• Find National Drive Electric Week events in our region at the driveelectric.org, where you can also learn more about electric vehicle trends and ownership. Many Drive Electric events feature ride-and-drives, where you can experience an EV’s smooth ride and instant torque, in a non-sales setting.
• The non-profit advocacy group Plug In America (www.pluginamerica.org) aims to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read real EV owners’ stories, and mine the website for A-to-Z info about choosing and owning a plug-in car.
• PlugStar is Plug In America’s online tool for choosing and finding the right EV for you.
• Governor Cuomo Announces New York to Invest $127.7 Million Volkswagen Settlement in Clean Vehicles (9/5/18, State of NY)
• “Your next (electric) car” (9/16/17, Nyack News and Views)
• “Electric cars exceed 1m in Europe as sales soar by more than 40%” (8/26/18, The Guardian)
• Greencarreports.com digests national and international news about electric and other clean vehicles, including technology and government regulations
• InsideEVs.com reports plug-in vehicle news and sales reports.
• “These countries are banning gas-powered vehicles by 2040” (10/23/17, BusinessInsider.com)

Thomas Edison with Baily Electric car using an Edison storage battery, circa 1909. Photo: National Drive Electric Week via Facebook

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Earth Matters, a weekly feature that focuses on conservation, sustainability, recycling and healthy living, is sponsored by Maria Luisa Boutique, Dying to Bloom, and Strawtown Studio.