Juice for electric vehicle sales
The number of electric vehicles sold in New York took a big percentage jump during the first half of this year, according to the Cuomo admin. Sales were up 61 percent from January to June 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
The administration attributes to the jump to the new electric vehicle rebate the state started offering this spring. New York State is now offering up to $2,000 for qualifying vehicles, bringing the total potential federal and state rebate to $7,500. The Cuomo admin points to a sharp uptick in sales this year after the rebate started (sales January to March were up 44 percent compared to 2016, and up 74 percent April to June.)
The total number of electric vehicles sold in New York State during the first half of this year: 4,209. And through the end of August, there have been 2,332 "Drive Clean Rebate" applications submitted.
Sales of electric vehicles nationally have been on a relatively big upswing this year compared to last. All electric vehicles -- both totally electric and plug-in hybrids -- were 45 percent compared January-July this year compared to same period in 2016 (fully electric sales were up 86 percent). [Clean Technica]
Here's an online calculator that NYSERDA's posted that tries to figure whether buying an electric vehicle makes sense for a person given their driving habits.
Even with large percentage sales increases, EVs are still a tiny slice of the overall market. [Recode] [LA Times]
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This electric vehicle debate is not about right or wrong or solves problem or doesn't....it's about improvement. My experience with the VOLT suggests that hybrid electrics are an important part of the solution. (sticker price was $31K, tax credit was 7500, so effectively $23,500 car) On an overnight charge, I will get 55 to 72** miles---enough to get to and from work, run a few errands all on electric. If I recharge along the way, let's say by plugging in at Kohl's or Vent Fitness or the Food Co-op or the homewood suites hotel at Colonie Center, I can "up" the electricity only mileage considerably. What happens when I take a long trip? after 65 miles, the gas engine kicks in and delivers a respectable 37 to 39 mpg. Relieves "range anxiety". (**mileage is about 10% lower in winter )
So far: 10,000 miles, 9.5 gallons of gas. (My prior car got 30 mpg, so that 10,000 miles would have required 333 gallons of gas..a savings of 323.5 gallons...which at $2.50/gallon is a savings of $808.75. For me it's not about "payback" period, but in dramatically lower fossil fuel consumption and therefore dramatically lower contribution to air pollution.
Tesla may be the answer, but that requires a level of wealth that is not within my reach! :-)
... said jsc on Oct 2, 2017 at 10:40 PM | link