We had a local resident email us with some AMAZING questions about electric vehicles. They were so good, we decided to share them with you on our web page. This is Part 4, talking about vehicle costs, and charging with solar power.
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Q: Will electric cars ever be affordable for those on fixed income?
While EVs tend to be more expensive at purchase, there are a few factors that help make that initial purchase less painful. The main one is something called “total cost of ownership.” That means while EVs tend to cost more when you purchase them, the money you save from reduced maintenance and fuel costs more than make up for the initial expense. Imagine no oil changes, no radiator flushes, no belts and timing chains to replace, and far less wear to your brakes.
The second one has to do with federal incentives available starting in 2023. There is a program for tax incentives for new AND used EVs as part of the IRA infrastructure bill that tries to offset some of that initial expense of going electric. For new EVs that qualify, you can receive up to a $7,500 tax credit; used EVs that qualify can receive up to a $4,000 credit. But what if you don’t owe that much in taxes? Here’s a little secret: if you lease ANY new electric vehicle, you can get $7,500 off the initial price!
The third idea: consider a used electric vehicle. Due to the fact that many EV enthusiasts lease an EV for three years, in order to get the newest and latest technology, that means a large number of used EVs in great shape are available every year. And as we mentioned in the previous post, even used EVs can qualify for a tax credit – as long as they fall within the parameters, like being more than two years old, and less than $25,000 sale price.
Q: What should one know before assuming they can charge their EV with a solar panel? How many solar panels are needed for one EV? How long does charging take with solar panels?
While many EV drivers use solar panels, it’s not exactly a cut-and-dried solution. Typically, these two things are done separately – solar panels to power your home, and an EV that is powered from the grid. A solar system that also uses batteries can be used to charge the vehicle, directly but these will vary widely, depending on the company and your local utility’s energy program.
Most people who install solar do it primarily to handle the home’s energy needs, which will also “help” charge the car. Again, a battery system can be used for this, but everyone’s situation is different. If you want a system to power your entire home, as well as your vehicle, it will determine how many panels your home would need.
Another alternative is to use what’s known as community energy. Companies like Arcadia Power allow you to sign up, link to your utility, and use wind or solar energy to power your entire home. It requires no installation or complicated home electrical wiring. Arcadia claims renewable credits on your behalf, and you can truly say your home AND car are 100 percent powered by renewables.
Q: What if the sun isn’t shining? What if power goes out during charging, will it harm the battery in any way? Will it automatically restart charging when the power comes back on?
No harm will come to the EV’s battery if the power goes out – happens at my home more than I care to admit, due to local utility outages. It’s literally just like your cell phone – charging will typically resume as soon as the power comes back on. However, if your home had some kind of battery storage, the charge may not be interrupted at all. It would depend on what type of system you install on your home.
And if you do decide to install solar on your home, we cannot stress this enough: hire a reputable, licensed contractor. Ask for references, and talk to other clients. Here in Las Vegas, we like to recommend Robco Electric. Their company has done countless solar AND electric vehicle charging installations, and they’re good friends of NVEVA. Ask for Krystal, and tell her the NVEVA sent you!
NOTE: NVEVA does NOT use affiliate links at this time.