Buying an EV is complicated. The market is dynamic, so brand loyalty doesn’t mean much yet. There are huge differences in mileage, range, charging and price. Often the EVs that are in the highest demand are backordered — sometimes for a year or more (just try buying a Ford F-150 Lightning). Heck, just understanding the meaning of MPGe and Level 1/2/3 chargers is enough to delay an EV buying decision and keep pumping gas into that old hydrocarbon heap.
Fortunately, there is an abundance of EV information on the web. Almost too much. Comparing the capabilities and specifications for EVs is a daunting task for buyers. To simplify the process there are several EV ratings sites that compare EVs based on standard criteria.
The EV comparison site that I have found most useful is the Bloomberg Green EV Rating site. Their Green Rating metric is a weighted score that accounts for every vehicle’s range, weight and battery size. In addition, they include three other critical factors that many other comparison sites ignore: price, range and charging speed. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has their Greenercar ratings — which includes all “green” vehicles of various shades (including hybrids and very low emission vehicles). The official source for vehicle fuel economy (MPG and MPGe) is at fueleconomy.gov, sponsored by the DOE and EPA.
Would you believe it is TEN TIMES more expensive to fill up your tank with gas than it is to charge your EV with rooftop solar? For an analysis of the charging costs of EVs, as well as more details about the above-referenced EV comparison sites, please tune in to this week’s Energy Show.