Updates on Plug-In Vehicles

By Kathleen Petrich

On February 1st, there is a Washington Clean Tech Alliance meeting on electric vehicles. I hope to attend (jury duty notwithstanding). But I saw an interesting article in the February 6th edition of Time Magazine* that caught my eye that discussed the “Plug-In Surge” and in a handy-dandy chart, analyzed seven auto offerings in the U.S. (Honda CR-Z, Mitsubishi MiEV, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-In, Nissan Leaf, and Chevrolet Silverado). The chart included price, range, and cost to drive the vehicle.

Obviously, the chart was not inclusive of all plug-in options available in the U.S.—followers of our blog and those on the West Coast will notice that the Tesla offerings are not mentioned. According to Time, the selection of the seven makes/models listed above was “the hottest new models”—a subjective analysis to be sure. Nonetheless, the Honda CR-Z (a hybrid, versus a pure EV) at a mere $19,545 MSRP was by and far away the least costly of all options by over $7,000 and it has a range of a respectable 392 miles. The estimated cost (according to Time) was a mere $0.29/mile based on an assumption of a 100,000 mile car life, the cost of an in-home charger for electric vehicles, and gas price of $3.38/gallon for hybrids. This was in comparison to the Nissan Leaf, which is all electric, having a MSRP of $35,200, a range of 100 miles, and a cost of $0.41/mile. The Toyota Prius Plug-in (plug-in EV/gas hybrid), having an MSRP of $32,500, has a range of 519 miles (15 miles on charge and the rest on gasoline) with a cost of $0.35/mile. The other much touted product offering—the Chevy Volt, also a plug-in EV/gas hybrid, had a range of 394 miles (35 miles on charge, the rest on gas) for a per mile cost of $0.35.

So for those who want bragging rights to the most fuel efficient based/and least costly, the Honda CR-Z was by far the best value of the seven models (if somewhat short on some passenger options) and based on my very unscientific study (my college-age son)-- the most attractive to key younger demographic buyers. While the Northwest is starting to fill up with Nissan Leafs (they are no longer the rare exception any more), I have only seen one Chevy Volt out and about. And I must say it was a looker.

For us lucky folks in the Northwest, our electricity costs are anywhere from 1/3 to more than ½ less than folks in other parts of the U.S. Much of our electricity is generated by clean hydro (as opposed to dirty fuel). But our gasoline prices at the pumps are a bit higher than the national average. So, the Time analysis rates, which were based on national cost averages, may not be quite so accurate here. But the exciting news is that there are growing attractive options. With crude oil costs currently at a little under $100/barrel, but estimated to much higher in the near future, plug-ins and hybrids will continue to gain in popularity. The many options (size, shape, carrying capacity for passengers and even loads) are welcome.

On Wednesday, I hope to hear more about the status of charging infrastructure in the Northwest. In the end, plug-ins will only gain popularity as a true gasoline alternative when one can drive them in a wide area and know that you won’t be stranded along the highway without a spark of electric charge and the costs are closer to gasoline alternatives. If I hear anything electrifying, I’ll be happy to provide a quick update.


*The Time link will only get you to the general article. You have to have a Time subscription to see the chart online or buy or borrow the February 6th news stand edition (page 13) to see the chart.