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Plug-in Electric Vehicle

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is a vehicle that can be recharged from an external source of electricity, store electricity in rechargeable batteries, and use the stored energy to power the vehicle. It can also be considered a vehicle that uses electricity as its primary fuel or uses electricity in collaboration with a conventional engine to improve efficiency. PEVs come in 2 primary configurations: battery-powered electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Woodruff Electric Cooperative Electric Vehicle.

Battery Duration

Battery-powered electric vehicles travel distances vary by model. They can travel approximately 70 to 245 miles on one charge. PHEVs typically have smaller batteries and a shorter all-electric range, approximately 10 to 50 miles, but have a backup gasoline engine to increase range.

Charging an Electric Vehicle

Today, 80% of charging is completed at residential locations and 20% at other locations. An AC level 2 charging station is recommended for residential usage with a 240-volt circuit. Typical charging rates are up to 25 electric miles per hour. DC fast charging stations, found at non-residential locations, can provide fast and convenient charging with the ability to charge a vehicle’s battery to 80% capacity in 30 minutes or less, depending on the size of the EVs battery.

To find public charging stations, visit: Charge Point or Plug Share.

Electric Vehicle Advantages

  • If you drive 12,000 miles in a year, an all-electric vehicle could save you more than $700 in fuel savings! Decreased maintenance needs can provide additional savings.
  • Unlike traditional engines, plug-in electric vehicles are powered by electricity.
  • Conventional transportation is wholly dependent on petroleum and results in the U.S. spending more than $1 billion per day on foreign oil. Electricity generation in the United States uses a diverse mix of domestic sources.
  • Much quieter to operate, many electric vehicles have a gearless or single-gear design that eliminates gear shifting, thus providing smoother acceleration and braking