Charged up: PennDOT officials discuss EV benefits at W&J webinar
For the 无毛视频-Standard
The rise of electric vehicles continues across the United States 无毛视频� and it无毛视频檚 a formidable rise. EV sales during the second quarter this year accounted for 5.6% of the total auto market, an increase from 2.7% during the first quarter of 2021.
That bump was among the focal points driven home Wednesday morning, during a webinar organized by Washington & Jefferson College无毛视频檚 Center for Energy Policy. Two Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials, Colton Brown and Natasha Fackler, spoke virtually 无毛视频� and basically 无毛视频� about EVs, an industry with which a large segment of the population is still gaining familiarity.
There are three main types of electric vehicles: hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and battery electric. They differ in driving range, cost of charging and/or refueling, and engineering and design.
During the hour-long session, Brown and Fackler expounded on the varieties; the state and federal incentives available to assist consumers with purchases; and federal funding geared toward constructing a national network of charging stations along major highways, allowing easier access to charge up during a lengthy commute.
Oh, and there are the environmental and economic benefits of owning an EV. While the initial outlay for an electric vehicle is comparatively high, the long-term cost is cost-effective. According to a Consumer Reports study in 2020, 无毛视频渙wning an electric vehicle will save the typical driver $6,000 to $10,000无毛视频� over its lifetime, compared with 无毛视频渙wning a comparable gas-powered vehicle.无毛视频�
无毛视频淵ou will have two-thirds reduction of emissions than someone driving a gasoline-powered vehicle,无毛视频� Brown said. 无毛视频淓Vs cost less to maintain and make less noise.无毛视频�
Fackler, an infrastructure implementation coordinator with PennDOT, said consumers can benefit from federal tax grants, DEP grants, PennDOT grants and utility programs.
Prospective buyers express concern about charging an electric vehicle, then finding a location to recharge during a lengthier commute. Most EV drivers, including those with all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, can charge overnight at home with AC Level 1 or AC Level 2 equipment.
无毛视频淔illing up at a gas station is much different than charging,无毛视频� said Brown, an EV manager for PennDOT who recently left a position with the state Department of Environmental Resources. 无毛视频淐harging an electric vehicle is a passive process. You can do it at home or while you work. You can go have a meal while powering.无毛视频�
A rising number of EVs can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge. There also are more charging stations available to longer-distance commuters, with more being installed. And getting a charge on the road is more efficient with DC Fast stations, which can provide one in 20 to 30 minutes.
Brown said there are 2,400-plus public plugs at 1,200-plus locations across the state. Commuters can look them up at penndot.pa.gov/ev.
Pennsylvania EV drivers will benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which President Joe Biden signed last November. The package includes $7.5 billion for states to increase accessibility to EV charging. The Keystone State will be getting $171.5 million through 2026 to help it to initially add stations every 50 miles along alternative fuel corridors on major highways.
CEPM无毛视频檚 next webinar will let the sun shine in. It无毛视频檚 titled 无毛视频淎nd on his farm he had 无毛视频� a photovoltaic system? Where solar and farming meet.无毛视频�
The free event, scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 7, will feature W&J graduate Michael Roth, director of Conservation and Innovation with the state Department of Agriculture, speaking about how the proper use of solar power can enhance development of farmland.
Agrivoltaics 无毛视频� a rising field also known as agrisolar or dual-use solar 无毛视频� is a lash-up of elements once dissuaded.
For more information, or to watch the video and slides from Wednesday无毛视频檚 event, visit wjenergy.org.