CUSTOMER ADVISORY: Pioneer Community Energy does not partner with any company that engages in telemarketing or door-to-door solicitations.
CUSTOMER ADVISORY: Pioneer Community Energy does not partner with any company that engages in telemarketing or door-to-door solicitations.
The idea of driving an all-electric car or truck is increasingly appealing. Eliminating trips to the gas station or paying unreasonably high fuel prices is enough to motivate buyers to explore fleets of electric vehicles available for purchase. Pioneer wants customers to be informed on the many considerations around the purchase of a new or used zero-emission (all-electric) or hybrid (gas-electric) vehicle.
Range should be one of the top considerations when shopping for an EV. The average range of a fully electric vehicle increases every year. If an EV is needed as a daily driver, it is important to know how many miles it will need to drive in an average day. If the range of the EV is well above the number of miles driven in an average day, then it will likely be a suitable option.
The most common location to charge an electric vehicle is at the owner’s residence. This usually requires a Level 2 charger installed at the owner’s home. If the home does not have a garage, the placement of a Level 2 charger could be challenging. Owners of electric vehicles should locate and evaluate the proximity of public charging stations, at their place of work and in areas of town that are commonly visited.
Installing a Level 2 Charger at home requires a number of steps:
Incentives and tax credits available for electric vehicle purchases can make buying an electric vehicle even more affordable and enticing. Check with a local tax specialist to determine any and all state or federal tax credits and incentives available to electric vehicle and charging station owners.
Utility rebates may also be available to offset the costs of switching to an EV. For information about current rebates please visit PG&E’s website. Pioneer customers are eligible for all PG&E rebates and incentives.
The purchase price for a new electric vehicle is often higher than a traditional gas-powered car. Additionally, while EV owners will no longer need to buy gasoline at a pump, electric consumption does increase, leading to higher electric bills. Considering this, a normal driver will see overall net savings in fuel costs. For a more personalized and detailed analysis, please see the available comparison calculator.
Other related costs to consider are the installation and related electrical work necessary to install a residential charging unit. If a panel upgrade is required, this can become quite expensive.
While there are some cost increases, there are also some additional savings beyond lower fuel costs. Maintenance costs will drop significantly, as the EV does not have many of the fluids or parts that a traditional gasoline-powered car has installed that require ongoing maintenance.
Potential electric vehicle buyers should fully understand the warranties that come with electric cars. There are “bumper-to-bumper” warranties, electric drivetrain warranties and battery warranties. Warranties and details vary by model and age and are different than those for gas-powered vehicle warranties.
The number of available fully electric vehicle models is increasing every year. Despite the increasing variety, there are still some limitations. prospective EV buyers should evaluate and consider the lifestyle they live, their needs and expectations of a vehicle and how the vehicle is actually used. If you are not able to charge your EV every night or taking long road trips is how you like to live, an EV might not be right for you just yet.
So, it’s time to buy an electric car or truck. The question now is buying new versus used. Used cars are generally a fantastic value; with electric vehicles, there are a few more different items to consider beyond the questions or concerns one might have with a used gasoline-powered vehicle.
Just like a cell phone, a car’s battery life deteriorates over time. A dealership service department should be able to provide a report on battery life. Also, most cars have battery life and details displayed on the information center display. Shorter battery life does not have to be a deal-breaker; it can become a bargaining chip to lower the vehicle price. Remember, a car’s battery can always be replaced.
Especially on older models or vehicles with higher mileage, ask if a battery has ever been replaced. Always review the documentation and validate any claim of battery replacement. A fairly new battery simply extends the time frame before EV owners should need to invest in a new battery.
Make sure to understand how much battery warranty is left and whether the warranty is transferable to the new owner upon vehicle resale. Many battery warranties are up to eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The terms for warranties are always changing, so make sure to read and understand the terms of a warranty, especially the fine print.
Car models are upgraded every year or so. The most significant change to an electric vehicle is usually the battery range. As such, it is important to know the range of the used car and then compare it to a new car or another model.
Not all vehicles charge at the same rate. Additionally, using Level 1 chargers versus Level 2 chargers dictates the amount of time needed to complete a full battery charge. Those planning to charge at work or other public charging stations, it is important to have some idea of how long it will take to ‘top off’ the vehicle battery.
When buying a used electric vehicle, make sure to get the charging cord as part of the purchase. Additionally, if purchasing from a private party, ask about including the Level 2 charger with the sale of the car. When buying a used car, new owners should make sure have all the equipment needed to charge the car.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) adoption is projected to increase dramatically over the next 10 to 20 years. Anticipated regulatory changes, prices comparable to internal combustion engines, battery range improvements, enhanced vehicle performance and increased availability of electric charging infrastructure are all leading to this anticipated increase.
There are a few key factors to consider before beginning an electric vehicle fleet transition for any business or operation.
Plan for utility-side upgrades at fleet charging locations as early as possible. It can take many months to negotiate, plan, implement and agree on cost-sharing arrangements with the local utilities. Communicate regularly with utility and electrical engineers to ensure that all power requirements can be met.
Consider standardizing electric vehicle service equipment across all facilities to minimize maintenance costs and implementation obstacles. Standardization will provide flexibility to accommodate BEVs manufactured by different original equipment manufacturers, which will support competitive procurement. Standardization also includes adopting an IT system that can operate on existing fleet vehicles and EVs to avoid having to manage two systems at once.
When selecting the vehicle and battery size for EV fleets, prioritize specific operating needs. Consider the required vehicle range per day (which typically depends on the routes traveled), fluctuation in miles traveled, opportunities for charging en route and charging station availability in the selection process. For replacing vehicles that typically travel less than 100 miles per day, a BEV would be most suitable. For vehicles that need to travel longer distances, or emergency vehicles that require immediate or prolonged availability, a BEV with a larger battery or a hybrid option may be a better choice. When selecting a battery size, consider factors that decrease battery range, such as operating during cold weather, extreme heat or very hilly routes.
Conduct a full evaluation and study of the entire fleet before any implementation begins. For large fleet owners, a multi-phased approach is recommended to minimize risks and disruptions to operations. The first phase should include electrifying vehicles that will lead to the least disruption of current operations. This means focus on vehicles that travel short distances and for limited durations. This allows operators to gather information on vehicle performance, including battery capacity, charge times, maintenance needs and other logistics, which can be used in future phases. Next, evaluate the current vehicle operations so that you can quantify what an average travel day looks like as well as the maximum potential distance a fleet vehicle might travel. Once a charging scheme is determined, the business can plan operational changes to accommodate charging, allowing for a seamless transition when the BEVs are incorporated into the fleet.
Incentives and tax credits available for electric vehicle purchases can make buying of an electric vehicle even more affordable and enticing. Check with a local tax specialist to determine any and all state or federal tax credits and incentives available to electric vehicle and charging station owners.
Utility rebates may also be available to offset the costs of switching to an EV. For information about current rebates please visit PG&E’s website. Pioneer customers are eligible for all PG&E rebates and incentives.
Take a staggered approach to implementing EVs. As the implementation process moves along, there is the opportunity to allow charging and battery technology to develop further and better accommodate the vehicles that travel longer distances or support more variable operations. However, regulations and emissions reduction target dates are quickly approaching. Gasoline-powered cars available for purchase will be phased out in California by 2035. A phased implementation must be designed to ensure the organization is prepared to meet these and emerging state mandates.
Effective energy management is the key to keeping utility costs down. Tools like charge-monitoring software can help ensure that all vehicles are charged while managing the electric loads and avoiding peak demand charges. In addition, effective energy management may reduce the amount of infrastructure needed and lower upfront investment costs.
If possible, install charging stations where the vehicles are stored when not in use. If vehicles require charging during operations, fast-charging locations should be installed in locations that are central to fleet operations. For charging that occurs overnight and at vehicle storage locations, confirm power availability by coordinating with the energy utility. This way, both organizations can assess the current capacity and plan the required electric upgrades.
Transitioning a fleet to BEVs can be challenging. BEVs require longer refueling times, operational changes, and modifications to driver behavior as compared to diesel or gasoline-powered vehicles, but planning and coordination with the energy provider, leads to a seamless transition to a greener, more compliant and sustainable future.
Just like a cell phone, a car’s battery life deteriorates over time. A dealership service department should be able to give a report on the battery life. Also, most cars have battery life and details displayed on the information center display. Shorter battery life does not have to be a deal-breaker; it can become a bargaining chip to lower the vehicle price. Remember, a car’s battery can always be replaced.
Especially on older models or vehicles with higher mileage, ask if a battery has ever been replaced. Always review the documentation and validate any claim of battery replacement. A fairly new battery simply extends the time frame before you should need to invest in a new battery.
It is important understand how much battery warranty is left and whether the warranty is transferable to the new owner upon vehicle resale. Many battery warranties are up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The terms for warranties are always changing, so be sure to read and understand the terms of a warranty, especially the fine print.
Ask the owner for a history of maintenance performed and copies of any service records. Remember, maintenance on all-electric cars can be significantly less than on a gas-powered vehicle.
Always check Kelley Blue Book’s recall items website to determine if any recalls have been issued for the vehicles you are considering for purchase.
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