Featured Petrol vs. EV Cost UK Highway Test

I have no problems with the video but want to share impressions:

• Comparing costs over same range is perfectly fine. - Driving our BMW i3-REx between Huntsville and Nashville: electricity cost $24 but only $6 using gas in 2016. Electricity on the highway is expensive and often slower with detours to reach a fast DC charger. Another example, Supercharger costs per kWh on the road, ~$0.40/kWh, that is ~3x the cost at home, $0.12/kWh. I've also gotten skilled at finding free L2 chargers along the direct route do not add extra time to the trip.
• ICE cars converted to EVs are poor EVs - A blank sheet, EV design, eliminates bulk and excess weight needed for ICE cars.
• Caution about the MPG as there are 1.2 gallons USA gallon in every imperial (i.e., UK) gallon. - The reported ICE mileage is ~20% too good using USA gallons.

Yes, the electric cost per mile in this video was slightly higher than the gas car version. Charging on the road as they did is more expensive than using home or free charging. Doing the same test with one car, a long range, plug in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) like a BMW i3-REx would more accurately show the relative costs ... today.

A proposed benchmark, a Prius Prime owner could drive to a for fee, L2 EVSE, charge up and drive back for a top-off charge. Then repeat the same route using gasoline. I have no doubt gas would win over electricity. But replace the both L2 EVSE with a free one . . .

Bob Wilson

 

Was posted earlier at Fuelly. The OP there may have been surprised by the results, but it isn't to anybody who has been following EVs. The economics of a fast DC charger means they have to charge more. The test in the video only applies for those in which that is the only charging they have access too. Which will get glossed over by the naysayers.

"Caution about the MPG as there are 1.2 gallons USA gallon in every imperial (i.e., UK) gallon. - The reported ICE mileage is ~20% too good using USA gallons."
A fair reminder, but even converted, the figures are impressive; about 33 and 50 US mpg. The M4's EPA highway rating is 23mpg at best.

I think those are the 20" wheels on the i4. The EPA for that one is 2.4mi/kWh. That's getting down into FSP range for EVs.

To the video's credit, they kept it a like comparison. They could have easily used a 4 Series with smaller engine or diesel. They even have mild hybrid options, but that wouldn't have made much difference on the highway.

 

If the UK prices for fast charging are similar to our "Plug-in-America" DC CHARGERS here in USA, then yea - it's no surprise the ICE did better than the EV. The results would be as skewed as someone recharging off fully amortized PV rooftop systems. Theoretically you could be running around town collecting french fry grease for your diesel for free, but that's pretty labor intensive, filtering that nasty sludge down to below 5 microns to obtain proper purity. There would be additives necessary too - if you're driving said diesel below freezing Temps.
.

 

Canada is theoretically metric, gas has been sold by the liter for many decades. One group that steadfastly carries the torch for traditional measure is the auto retailers, who love to trot out the highway miles per imperial gallon.

 

There was an update that Ionity rates had gone up since the video was made. IIRC, 45%.

 

I could be wrong, but don't commercial / municipal purchasers of fossil fuels typically acquire long-term contracts? At least for about a year out - in advance of actual deliveries? Reynolds used to do that for electricity back in the 1970s & maybe that's been phased out now?
.

 

We're in the midst of a long trip with our Bolt. Electrify America prices, even with the 23% break for Pass+ members (31 cents/kWh) is pretty outrageous. What saved us is that all of Alabama was free, and once we got to Michigan and Ohio, we've been finding convenient ChargePoint chargers where we can use our EVgo credits that came with the car. If not for those free charges, this trip would be pretty expensive compared to the Prius. As it is, after 1700 miles, our cost is only 3.7 cents per mile.

We're soon going to be in states where EA charges by the minute. I've heard that that is much cheaper. We'll soon see.

 

Never! If some percentage of oil has its price locked in due to long term contracts that means that those without long term contracts see an even larger spike up.

Mike