Drive Electric
What is the Problem?
From production to daily use, cars have a carbon footprint, and gasoline cars have a substantial one. In 2018 the EPA found that transportation accounted for 28% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions(1). When gasoline is burned in car engines it produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, these are known as tailpipe emissions. In addition the refinement and transportation of gasoline releases emissions.
Sources: 1. EPA
What Can You Do?
If you are in the market for a new car, consider getting an electric one! Electric vehicles produce 50% less emissions than gasoline cars do(2) over their lifetimes and have zero emissions while drive. Consequently, electric cars make up for their higher manufacturing emissions within eighteen months of driving (2)—shorter range models can offset the extra emissions within 6 months—and continue to outperform gasoline cars until the end of their lives.(3) Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions and electricity has the potential to be from entirely renewable sources. With two interstate highways going right through Andover (I-93 and I-495), we would benefit greatly from fewer highway emissions.
Sources: 2. Union of Concerned Scientists; 3. Boston Globe
An electric vehicle or EV is a vehicle that uses an electric battery, not a gasoline engine. The battery needs to be charged through a charging port. For a zero-emission vehicle, you can make sure your electricity to charge the vehicle comes from a renewable source, like wind or solar. In addition, EVs typically don't require as much maintenance as gasoline vehicles, they accelerate faster, and they are quieter. MOR-EV offers rebates of up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of battery electric vehicles. There is also a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
Advantages of an EV
An easy way to reduce your carbon footprint
Great Acceleration
Affordable
No gas station stops
Buying An EV
Finding a Charger
There are many different electric vehicles on the market so it can be confusing and overwhelming to find one that is right for you.
Considerations:
how far you drive each day,
your budget
size preference
whether you have access to a charger or a place to install one where you park your car. (4)
The Sierra Club offers a guide where you can fill in your needs and they will suggest the best electric car for you. Check out the U.S. News and World Report on Best Electric Cars for 2021, which includes the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model 3.
Green Energy Consumer Alliance website allows you to compare EVs including what rebates and tax credits are available for each vehicle.
If you are someone who drives long distances consider getting a car with a high range, a range is how far your vehicle will go with one full charge. The Tesla Model S has one of the highest ranges at 402 miles. The more affordable Chevy Bolt has a range of 259 miles. Both of these are good ranges! A typical Andover to Boston commute is 24 miles each way, so both cars can easily cover that distance and more on one full charge.
Sources: 4. Car News
The easiest time to charge an EV is overnight so it’s ready to go in the morning. Most drivers charge their vehicles overnight in their garages or driveways. Many garages have 120-volt outlets and these are able to charge lower range electric cars or hybrids. However, if you are interested in an EV with a 200+ mile range a 240-volt charger is the best option. A 240-volt charger can charge higher range electric vehicles fully overnight(5).
Longer trips do take some planning and apps like Chargeway and Plugshare help you plan routes and find charging stations near you. The distance from Andover to Cape Cod is about 93 miles, which can easily be made with one charge, and as long as you fully charge your EV when you reach the Cape, making it back will be easy as well.
See if your employer has charging stations or would consider installing them to motivate employees to purchase EVs. For instance, Schneider Electrics and Putnam Investments are two companies here in Andover with charging stations. There are also a number of public Charge Point charging stations in and around Andover -a few are located on the Phillips Academy campus and one at the 99. Andover also has plans to bring charging stations to the Old Town Hall parking lot and the AHS Environmental club is working on a proposal to install charging stations in the AHS parking lot.
Sources: 5.Energy.gov
What is Massachusetts Doing?
Gov. Baker’s administration released a roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, which includes requiring 100% of new light-duty vehicles sold in the state to be zero emission vehicles.There are about 30,000 electric vehicles in Massachusetts currently(6) (including hybrids) and over 1,000 EVs (excluding hybrids) in Essex County.(7)
Sources: 6.Boston Globe 7. MOR-EV
If Electric Isn’t an Option
An electric vehicle is not the ideal choice for everyone, but you can still take action to lower the emissions of your gasoline vehicle or hybrid! One way is to turn off the engine when you can, this means not leaving your car running in the Stop and Shop parking lot or in a school pick up line. Another tip is to combine errands so you don't have to make more trips than you need, start a shopping list so you aren't running out just to get one item. Also, make sure your car is kept well tuned. Your tires being inflated can save on miles per gallon. Even small changes can make a big difference in lowering your carbon footprint!
Resources
Visit Energy.gov to learn more about EVs.
Did you know that even EVs with a retail price higher than a gas car can actually be cheaper to own over their lifetime? Check out the New York Times article Electric Cars are Better for the Planet— and Often Your Budget, Too .
Green Energy Consumers Alliance and MOR-EV have information on state and federal rebates!
