Electric Vehicles in Ames: A Handbook

ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN AMES: A HANDBOOK

 Electric Vehicles in Ames:
 A Handbook
Compiled by Kayley Barrios Lain, Energy Services Coordinator for Ames Electric Services

Originally published May 14, 2020, Last revised on July 20, 2021

ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN AMES: A HANDBOOK

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Taxonomy of Gas/Diesel and Electric Vehicles ......................................................................................... 5
Why choose an EV? ................................................................................................................................. 7
Which EV? ............................................................................................................................................... 9
 Range and Charging Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 12
 DC Charging Speed and Connector Compatibility ............................................................................... 13
 The Extras.......................................................................................................................................... 13
Getting Your EV ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Chargers and Charging........................................................................................................................... 16
 Which Charger? ................................................................................................................................. 16
 When to Charge? ............................................................................................................................... 18
Your Battery’s Capacity and Lifetime ..................................................................................................... 20
 Extending Your Battery’s Range ......................................................................................................... 20
 Extending Your Battery’s Lifetime ...................................................................................................... 20
 Replacing and Recycling Your Battery ................................................................................................ 21

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Introduction

Even though the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is newly rising, EVs themselves are not new. In
1900, “more than one quarter of the almost 4,200 automobiles produced [in the United States] were
electric.”1 Another quarter sported gas- or diesel-fueled internal combustion engines (ICEs), while the
remaining half were steam-powered.

Ames has been home to one of the earliest EVs, a 1922 Detroit Electric Coupe. The car could reach 30
MPH and a range of 90 miles in favorable conditions. You can find the car’s story here:
https://vintageelectriccars.com/car-1922-detroit.aspx

The electric car has some marked
advantages over its gasoline-powered cousin
that made it a strong contender from the
beginning of passenger vehicles. “They were
quiet, easy to drive and didn’t emit a smelly
pollutant like the other cars of the time.”2

Despite its advantages, after about 20 years
of developments in both internal
combustion and electric motors, the longer
range of the gasoline and diesel vehicles and
low cost of newly found petroleum pushed
steam and electric vehicles almost entirely
out of the passenger vehicle market space...
until now. Figure 1 Thomas Edison with an electric car in 1913.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_electric_vehicle

Now that battery technology has improved and extended the range of EVs, they are once again gaining
popularity. Charging infrastructure is exploding, emission intensity of electricity is dropping, and the
electric vehicle is more appropriate than ever. As a result, many climate action plans call for
electrification of transportation as one of a handful of the most effective methods of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, as seen in Figure 2, an excerpt from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American
Cities Climate Action Playbook published in 2019.

1
 History of the automobile in the United States by the University of Michigan
http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Environment/E_Overview/E_Overview3.htm
2
 Timeline: History of the Electric Car by Rebecca Matulka https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car

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Figure 2 “Electrify Vehicles” is one of the five pathways to effective Climate Action, as identified by Bloomberg
Philanthropies, published October 2019. Source:
https://data.bloomberglp.com/dotorg/sites/2/2019/10/American-Cities-Climate-Challenge-Climate-Action-
Playbook.pdf

This manual is a collection of resources to help you in your transition to driving electric. In the sections
that follow, we’ll explain why EVs are a great option for most drivers in Ames. If you have any questions
about shopping for, charging, driving, or maintaining your EV that aren’t addressed here, please to let us
know by email at electricrebates@cityofames.org or by calling the Energy Services Coordinator at
515.239.5177. We hope to grow and enrich this document to make it a comprehensive guide to
overcoming any hurdles to going electric.

We will update this resource regularly, so if you are reading a version that was last revised more than
ten months ago, we recommend that you go to our website at cityofames.org/ev to find the latest
version.

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Taxonomy of Gas/Diesel and Electric Vehicles

Before we get started, let’s get on the same page. We won’t be addressing every kind of passenger
vehicle engine or fuel type – just the most common, commercially available ones. And there are several
ways to classify them. For this document, we will assume these classifications and terms:

 ICE Hybrid PHEV EV

Figure 3 Taxonomy of gasoline and electric vehicles. Source: https://futuretronlabs.in/blog/index.php/2019/08/26/types-of-
ev-electric-vehicle-phev-hev-bev/ [modified]

ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) – These cars are fueled with gasoline or diesel, with no regenerative
braking. Regenerative braking most commonly uses an electric motor that acts as a generator when it
uses resistance from braking to recharge a battery.

Hybrid – You may hear of this vehicle referred to as a “Hybrid Electric Vehicle” (HEV). These cars have an
electric motor that is used for regenerative braking. This increases efficiency of the vehicle but does not
allow it to function without fossil fuels. Possibly the most popular example of this vehicle is the Toyota
Prius. The Ford Escape, Honda Civic and many other models also have hybrid versions.

PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – This car uses an electric motor for regenerative braking, like the
hybrid, but can also plug in to charge (hence the name). This vehicle could technically function perfectly
well with no gasoline in the tank and a full battery. However, the battery is typically small and the
efficiency lower than an EV because the car also has to carry around the weight of an ICE. Just a handful
of examples of PHEV’s include the Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Niro, Toyota Prius Prime, and Mitsubishi
Outlander.

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EV (Electric Vehicle) – For the purposes of this document (and in many other contexts), when we say
‘EV,’ we are referring to a vehicle that uses electricity as its only fuel. Sometimes, people will use “EV” to
refer to any vehicle with an electric motor drive (this would include Hybrids and PHEVs). In those cases,
you can specify using the terms BEV (Battery-Electric Vehicle) or All-Electric Vehicle. Examples of these
vehicles include Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, and any car manufactured by Tesla.

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Why choose an EV?

EVs are affordable. The five-year
cost of ownership of EVs is more
affordable than ever because
purchase prices are dropping,
federal tax credits are still
available for many vehicles, and
because EV drivers are saving on
fuel, maintenance, and repairs. All
of these components contribute
to the affordable five year cost of
ownership of the LEAF EV
compared to models of ICE
vehicles also manufactured by Figure 4 The 5-year cost of ownership of many EVs is now competitive with that
 of comparable conventional vehicles. Source: https://www.kbb.com/new-
Nissan in Figure 4.
 cars/total-cost-of-ownership/

As shown in Figure 5, you can
expect the most savings from fuel costs. If we
assume gas prices in Ames as of January 2020,
weighted annual average residential electricity rates
in 2020, and the efficiencies of 30 miles per gallon
and 3.57 miles per kWh,

 $2.50 
 : ∗ = $0.0833/ 
 30 

 $0.1074 ℎ
 : ∗ = $0.0301/ 
 ℎ 3.57 

By these calculations, the cost per mile to fuel an EV
is 36% of that needed to operate a gasoline-fueled
 Figure 5 Expected expenses for two of Nissan’s vehicles
car. That would be the equivalent of fueling up at in the same price range, one EV and one ICE.
$0.90/gallon or a fuel efficiency of 119 mpg! Source: https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/total-cost-of-
 ownership/
EVs also cost less at the shop because they require
very little maintenance. An EV doesn’t require oil changes, a fuel filter, a catalytic converter, sparkplugs,
a muffler, a tailpipe, etc. According to Kelly Blue Book, an EV should cost you 8-10% less in maintenance
and repair costs. Other sources estimate maintenance savings to be much greater.

To sweeten the deal even further, federal tax credits up to $7,500 are available for many EVs. The
rebates are set to continue for the first 200,000 cars sold by each manufacturer. Some have already
been phased out. But even cars that are no longer eligible for the tax credit are still available at nearly

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the same price as they were with the credit thanks to engineering improvements and economy of scale.
Check the rebates currently available at: https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml

Be aware that registration fees for EVs will be increased this year to contribute to infrastructure costs.
Gasoline vehicles contribute to these funds through taxes at the gas pump.

Overall, the 5-year cost of ownership of many EVs is now similar to their gasoline counterparts, even
though you may pay a bit of a premium on the original purchase. The US Department of Energy has a
tool to help you compare all the costs of ownership of different vehicles. It is available at:
https://afdc.energy.gov/calc/

EVs in Ames are more sustainable. EVs aren’t necessarily always the more sustainable option,
depending on how your electricity is generated. If your electricity comes from a coal plant, the energy
used by your EV might emit more greenhouse gases than an ICE vehicle. If you’re charging up from solar
panels or wind turbines, the EV will result in fewer emissions.

EVs here in Ames, and in Iowa more generally, are a more sustainable option than ICE vehicles because
of the emissions factor of the electricity available. [Include the actual calculation when Michael gets
back with final numbers from the inventory.]

EVs keep more dollars in the local green economy. For about a century, we have been dependent on
fossil fuels, mostly from foreign countries and most definitely not from Iowa, to fuel our transportation.
Since Iowa has become a leader in wind energy production, we are now well-positioned to not only
generate our own transportation fuel, but to generate it from a renewable resource. So you’ll spend less
money per mile to fuel your car, and more of the dollars that you do spend stay in our community.
Keeping those dollars local can help keep electric rates low, further expand renewables in our portfolio,
and make our systems smarter, more resilient, and more efficient.

EVs are fun to drive! Back in the late 1800’s
when the market still hadn’t decided between
 “After using the fleet EV at work, when I press the
electric and petroleum vehicles, EVs were
 gas pedal in my personal [gasoline-powered]
recognized as the more powerful, smoother,
 vehicle, I find myself leaning forward to anticipate
and more responsive machine.
 an immediate response that just isn’t there. The EV
“Electric cars deliver instant power from a stop, is smooth, super responsive, and surprisingly
and they are both smooth and quiet… The powerful. It actually is fun to drive, even though I’m
driving experience is quite different from a not really a car person who would usually describe
traditional gasoline-fueled car because EVs feel any kind of driving as ‘fun.’”
like they glide effortlessly.”
 Kayley Barrios Lain, Energy Services Coordinator
 -Consumer Reports City of Ames Electric Services

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Which EV?

There are more EVs available every year with longer driving ranges and smaller price tags. There are a
few factors to think about that we’re not accustomed to considering with gasoline-powered vehicles.

The first distinction between ICE and EV markets is that there are fewer used electric vehicles available
at the moment. Even though the EV market is growing very quickly, it hasn’t been popular for very long,
and that means that there simply aren’t as many people looking to sell their used EVs. Also, battery
technology has improved so rapidly that even cars less than five years old have considerably lower
quality batteries.

That does not mean, though, that you shouldn’t consider a used EV. They’re great for in-town driving.
Especially if you have two or more cars in your household, an older used EV that you use mostly in-town
or for shorter trips could be a great option! We’ll talk about this more in the section on Range. Some of
the earliest released EV models that were sold on the mass market are the Tesla Roadster (since 2008),
the Nissan Leaf (since 2011), and the Chevy Bolt (since 2012), so those may be good models to consider
if you’re looking for a used EV.

The next consideration specific to EVs and our current market situation is the federal tax incentive. This
incentive is available for the first 200,000 new vehicles sold by each manufacturer, so you’ll have to
check to see if the car you’re looking at is still eligible for tax credits. Check here for the latest
information: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml

In Table 1 and Table 2 on the following pages, you’ll find data to compare various models of EVs and
PHEVs that were available the last time this document was updated. These resources were developed by
Mark Kane and published by Eric Loveday on InsideEVs. If you’re looking for more information after
reading this handbook, you can find much more on vehicles, chargers, and more on InsideEVs.com.

We include the table of PHEVS for easy reference, but the rest of this handbook is focused on EVs (that
use no gasoline). In the sections that follow, we’ll cover these aspects of EVs in more detail to help you
decide which EV is best for you.

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Table 1 This is one of many tables, graphs, and comparisons that you can find at insideevs.com. The reviews, comparisons, and news related to electric vehicles may help you decide which EV is right for
you. Source: https://insideevs.com/reviews/344001/compare-evs/

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Table 2 A Plug-In Hybrid will not get you off fossil fuels entirely, but depending on your driving tendencies, it could be a good option for you. Source: https://insideevs.com/reviews/344001/compare-
evs/

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Range and Charging Infrastructure
“Range” is the distance your vehicle can travel on a full charge. Some of the higher-end EVs are nearing
a typical ICE vehicle’s range of 300-400 miles. Even in the middle price range of less than $35,000, you
can find several models with more than 100, and some with more than 200, miles of range. The Federal
Highway Administration estimates that a 100 mile range is enough for more than 90% of personal
driving purposes.

Charging infrastructure has dramatically improved in recent years. Interstate Highways 35 and 80 have
several charging options, and after grant money from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Fund
was distributed in mid-late 2020, even more chargers were installed along Iowa Interstate highways,
including a DC Fast Charger in Ames (available as of July 2021). As vehicle ranges increase and charging
infrastructure is built out, range really isn’t the source of anxiety that it used to be.

Figure 6 EV charging infrastructure is improving rapidly. This screenshot of Iowa's charging infrastructure registered with
PlugShare as of May 2020. Source: https://www.plugshare.com/

However, it is possible that the longer-range vehicles are outside your budget, or that charging
infrastructure, although now widely available, may not be exactly convenient in some of your more far-
flung destinations. So here are some potential work arounds if range is still a concern for you:

 • If your family/household needs more than two vehicles, you could purchase one EV and one ICE
 vehicle. Opt for the EV whenever possible – errands in towns, commuting, etc. And use the ICE

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 vehicle only when you’re going for a longer road trip on a route that doesn’t have well-
 developed charging infrastructure. With the flexibility of having the ICE in the garage for the
 longer trips, you may even get by fine with a shorter-range model EV or a used EV that is
 available at a lower price point.
 • If you’re concerned about charging capabilities at a favorite weekend destination (your cabin, a
 family members house, etc.), you can purchase an extra Level 2 charger for that destination or
 rely on your Level 1 charger if you’ll have lots of time to recharge. Another option is to purchase
 a model of charger that plugs into a 240 V wall outlet (like the outlet for your dryer) instead of
 being hard-wired into one location. You can keep the charger with your car and plug in
 anywhere you have a 240 V outlet. (For more on chargers, see section Which Charger?.)

DC Charging Speed and Connector Compatibility
We talked about charging speed in relation to chargers already, but your car has a limit to how quickly it
can charge, as well. For example, the 2018 Nissan Leaf can charge at up to 55 kW, the Leaf Plus up to
100kW, and most Tesla models can accept up to a 150kW charge. Some vehicles, like the Chevy Bolt,
have an optional DC fast charging port available for an additional cost.

If you’re only planning to use your EV in town, how quickly you can ‘fill up’ may not be an important
factor for you. But if you plan to take advantage of all that new highway fast charging infrastructure on
longer road trips, be sure you’re aware of a car’s charging capability before you make a purchase.

As you’re taking stock of the charging infrastructure available along your common routes, also note that
all cars are not compatible with all chargers. Tesla uses a proprietary charger, while other makes use
either a CHAdeMO or a J1772 “Combo” charger. Tesla does sell adapters so that Tesla cars can use third
party charging stations, but not the other way around. So if you’re not looking at buying a Tesla car, be
sure to de-select the Tesla chargers on that PlugShare map before you get too excited.

Also, the adapters sometimes end up being the limiting factor in charging speed. Even if the car and
charger can charge at higher wattages (100kW, 175kW, or even higher), the adapter might limit charging
speed to 55kW, for example. These capabilities are always changing and are different for each car, so be
sure to look up the specifications or ask a dealer about your specific situation.

The Extras
As we’ll mention in Extending Your Battery’s Range, it might be worthwhile to splurge for the heated
seats and steering wheel, if they don’t come standard in the model you’re considering. These features
will help to reduce the energy used to heat your car in the winter, which can significantly affect your
winter driving range. For the Chevy Bolt, for example, this is included in the “Comfort and Convenience
Package” and costs an extra $555 (https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/bolt-ev/build-and-
price/packages). Check manufacturer websites for other makes and models.

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Getting Your EV

EVs are not the most accessible vehicles on dealer’s lots in Ames, but there are still plenty of ways to get your hands on one. Many Ames drivers already have! As
of March 2021, Ames was home to 23 Teslas, 8 Nissan EVs, 8 Chevrolet EVs, plus a handful of EVs from Mazda, GEM, Smart, Vanguard, Tomberlin, Star, BMW,
Mercedes-Benz, E-Z-Go, Detroit Electric, and Volkswagen.

In Table 3 below you will find contact information for dealers of EVs. This is a dynamic table. Did you get an EV through a different dealer? Let us know
(electricrebates@cityofames.org or 515.239.5177), so we can add it in here! Did a dealer on this list tell you they can’t connect you with an EV? Let us know that,
too. The City of Ames does not endorse or prefer any particular make or model of electric vehicles.

Table 3 Local EV availability

 Make Address Phone Number Website Last Known EV Availability
 Chevrolet George White Chevrolet 515-598-4970 https://www.georgewhiteames.com/VehicleSearchR EV inventory on lot
 1719 S High Ave esults?fuelType=Electric
 Ames IA 50010
 Chevrolet Karl Chevrolet 515-523-5362 https://www.karlchevrolet.com/VehicleSearchResults EV inventory on lot
 1101 SE Oralabor Rd ?search=new&make=Chevrolet&model=Bolt+EV
 Ankeny IA 50021
 Chevrolet Shottenkirk Chevy 515-200-2350 https://www.shottenkirkchevy.net/VehicleSearchRes EV inventory on lot
 755 W Hickman Rd ults?model=Bolt%20EV
 Waukee IA 50263
 Chevrolet Bob Brown chevy 877-234-8841 https://www.bobbrownchevy.com/VehicleSearchRes EV inventory on lot
 3600 111th Street ults?model=Bolt%20EV
 Urbandale IA 50322
 Chevrolet Gregg Young Chevy 877-566-9371 https://www.gychevynorwalk.net/VehicleSearchResu EV inventory on lot
 2501 Sunset Dr lts?searchQuery=EV
 Norwalk IA 50211
 Ford Ames Lincoln Ford 515-233-1913 https://www.amesford.com/new- EV inventory on lot
 123 Airport Rd inventory/index.htm?reset=InventoryListing&make=F
 Ames IA 50010 ord&model=Mustang%20Mach-E
 Mini 9900 Hickman Rd 855-752-9799 https://www.miniofdesmoines.com/mini-electric- Accepting reservations for EVs
 Des Moines IA 50325 hardtop/
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 Nissan Hummel Nissan 888-491-3822 https://www.hummelsnissan.com/VehicleSearchResu EV inventory on lot
 4770 Merle Hay Rd lts?sort=featuredPrice%7Casc&fuelType=Electric
 Des Moines, IA 50322
 Kia Kia of Des Moines 855-415-4104 https://www.kiadm.com/search/new-kia-electric- EV inventory on lot
 4475 Merle Hay Rd des-moines-ia/?cy=50310&fl=15&mk=30&tp=new
 Des Moines, IA 50310
 Tesla Omaha, Kansas City, 712-890-3398 https://www.tesla.com/ Order online
 Minneapolis

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Chargers and Charging

Which Charger?
The majority of EV charging happens at home. A home charger is usually the lowest cost and most
convenient way to ‘fill up’ your EV. There are two popular options for home chargers – level 1 or level 2.

The exact number of miles of added range per hour of charge will depend on your car and the charger
you purchase, but you can see approximate ranges for these numbers in Table 4. Most cars will come
with a level 1 charger that plugs into any 120V outlet. This charger will add 2-4 miles of range per hour
that it is plugged in. If you do the math, that could mean 20+ hours to fully charge an empty battery. But
don’t panic yet. Most people don’t use their full battery each day (just like most people normally
wouldn’t fill their gas tank every day), and therefore don’t need to fully charge from empty every night.
If your daily commute is 30 miles or less, a Level 1 charger can easily replenish the charge you use on an
average day. If the Level 1 solution can work for you most of the time, the new DC Fast Charger at 2108
Isaac Newton Dr is a good back-up for days that you need a little more juice.

If you drive more than 30 miles per day, you may still be able to avoid installing a Level 2 charger if you
can charge up at work. If you can’t charge at work, you drive more than 30 miles on most days, or if you
just prefer the flexibility of a faster charge, a Level 2 charger that can provide as many as 30 miles of
range per hour of charging might be for you. The cost of these chargers can range from $500-$800, and
installation can cost anywhere from $200-$1500, depending on how far the electrician needs to extend
your electric service to reach your car and whether or not you’ll need a new circuit breaker. Customers
of City of Ames Electric Services can apply for a rebate on a level 2 programmable charger. Find an
application form online at cityofames.org/smartenergy.

Table 4 Comparison of Level 1 and Level 2 charging options in the home.

 Level 1 Level 2
 Charging Power Less than 5 kW 5-20 kW
 Miles of Range per
 3-5 miles 10-30 miles
 Charging Hour
 Installed Cost $0 $600-$1500

Not all level 2 chargers are created equal. Here are some of the features and specifications you may
want to consider in choosing a charger:

 • Programmable – If you’re planning to apply for a rebate from City of Ames Electric Services, your
 charger needs to be programmable. If you don’t see the utility of this feature, you will after
 reading the next section on

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 • When to Charge?.
 • Inside or Outside? - If you install your charger outside, be sure that the equipment you choose is
 recommended for outdoor installations. The connector should be a J1172 and the enclosure
 should be rated as NEMA 3 or NEMA 4.
 • Hard-wired or Plug-in? - Is there a chance you’ll want to move your charger? Would you like to
 use your charger regularly in multiple different locations? If so, you may want to consider a
 model that plugs into a 240 V wall outlet (like the outlet for your dryer). You can keep the
 charger with your car and plug in for a charge anywhere you have a 240 V outlet. Plug-in
 chargers can be a little pricier than a hard-wired option, but installing two 240 V outlets in
 different locations (your house and your cabin, or home and office, etc.) and purchasing one
 portable charger will likely cost you less than installing two separate, hardwired chargers.
 However, a plug-in option is not recommended outdoors.
 • Charging speed - The important number here is kW. As you can see in Table 4 Comparison of
 Level 1 and Level 2 charging options in the home., there is a wide range of kW that are
 considered “Level 2” chargers. The higher this number, the faster your car will be charged. Each
 car has a limit to how many kW’s it can accept.
 • Cable length - Cables are most commonly 16 or 25 feet. A longer cable will cost you a bit more,
 but it may save more than it costs if it allows you to reduce the cost of installation.
 • Wi-Fi capability - Some Wi-Fi connected chargers allow you to start or schedule charging
 remotely from your phone app.

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 Table 5 Average hourly
When to Charge? MISO North fuel mix in
 2019. Developed by
 author.
The best time to charge your EV is overnight, between midnight and 7am. Wind % Time
During this time period, there is less demand on the electric grid. Wind 50% 1
generation in the Midwest tends to stay mostly constant throughout the day, or 49% 2
sometimes increases overnight, depending on the time of year. 49% 3
 49% 4
In seasons when daily generation is mostly constant, the percentage of 48% 5
 49% 6
electricity from wind still increases overnight because total demand is lower. In 48% 7
seasons that wind speeds pick up overnight, the increase in percentage of wind- 45% 8
sourced electricity is exaggerated, as you can see in and Table 5. 43% 9
 42% 10
To better visualize the implications of charging at night compared to charging 41% 11
during peak hours, take a look at (a) 40% Noon
 39% 1pm
(b) 39% 2pm
 39% 3pm
Figure 8. The percentage of energy from wind, Iowa's most abundant renewable 39% 4pm
energy source, reaches its maximum (50%) between midnight and 1am on an 38% 5pm
average day (Figure 8a), which is also the time that coal, the dirtiest of Iowa’s 37% 6pm
primary fuel sources, contributes least to electricity production. But if you’re 37% 7pm
 37% 8pm
charging during peak hours (shown in Figure 8b), you could be filling up your EV 38% 9pm
with as much as 34% electricity from coal. 39% 10pm
 40% 11pm
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, charging at night represents a 21% 42% Midnight
reduction compared to charging during peak hours.

Figure 7 Average hourly fuel mix on the MISO North market in 2019, at each hour of the day. Developed by author.

 2019 MISO North Fuel Mix - Average Daily Profile
 100%
 90%
 80%
 70%
 Other
 60% Nuclear
 50% Hydro
 40% Gas
 30% Coal
 20% Wind

 10%
 0%
 1pm
 Noon

 2pm
 3pm
 4pm
 5pm
 6pm
 7pm
 8pm
 9pm
 9
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8

 10
 11

 10pm
 11pm
 Midnight

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 Midnight-1 am 6-7pm

 23%
 29%
 37%
 50%

 27%
 34%

 Wind Coal Other Wind Coal Other

 (a) (b)

 Figure 8 Average fuel mix in the MISO North subregion in 2019 between midnight and 1am (a) and between 6 and 7pm (b).
 Developed by author.

Many EVs can schedule their own charging, so you can plug in whenever you arrive at your house, but
schedule the car to start charging at midnight, 1am, or 2am. You may also be able to set the time at
which you want your car to reach full charge, and it will calculate the time at which it needs to start
charging in order to be ready for your morning commute. If your car doesn’t have this capability, you
can purchase a Level 2 charger that does. Chargers with this capability are eligible for rebates. Find more
information at cityofames.org/ev.

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Your Battery’s Capacity and Lifetime
Extending Your Battery’s Range
With more and more charging infrastructure available on the road, range anxiety is not the same
obstacle that it used to be. But it’s still important to be aware of the things that affect your car’s
efficiency and, therefore, range. Extreme temperatures, especially cold temperatures, will likely have
the most dramatic impact on your driving range. This is partially because extreme ambient temperatures
can slightly affect the performance of your battery, but the greater impact comes from using your car’s
heating (and cooling). In Table 6, you can see that heating your car in the winter is the biggest culprit,
reducing your range by as much as 41%!

Table 6 Heating and cooling your car at extreme temperatures has more impact on range than the sole effect of temperature
on the performance of the battery.
Source: https://insideevs.com/news/342782/how-ev-hvac-use-impacts-range-much-more-than-extreme-temps/

 Condition Effect on Range
 Ambient Temperature of 20°F -12%
 Ambient Temperature of 95°F -4%
 Use of Heating at 20°F -41%
 Use of ACC at 95°F -17%

So how can you avoid the HVAC drain?

 • When possible, pre-heat or pre-cool your car while it is plugged in. This will help take the edge
 off of that winter nip or summer heat without draining your battery.
 • In the winter, use the steering wheel and seat heaters instead of heating the air in the car. They
 are more efficient at improving driver comfort with less energy. If you live in a cold climate,
 these features may be worth the upgrade from a base model.
 • In the winter, you’re probably dressing for the cold between a building and your car, so stay
 bundled up while you’re driving.

Driving habits, like hard braking and quick acceleration will affect your EV just like they affect the gas
mileage in a gasoline vehicle, so keep those things in mind on the road.

Extending Your Battery’s Lifetime
If you’re planning a road trip, you might want to charge up completely the day before. But when you
don’t expect to need every mile of range your car can muster, it’s best to only charge up to 80% to
extend the lifetime of your battery. Many cars and chargers have the capability to automatically stop
charging at 80%. One manufacturer estimated that after 8 years of use, your battery will be left with
10% better battery health if you only charge up to 80% compared to 100%. It’s not only better for the
battery, but it saves some battery capacity for the regenerative braking to fill up as you get on your way.

When you don’t need a fast charge (like when your car is sitting in the garage overnight), it’s best to use
a Level 2 charger. You need no be concerned about using a DC fast charger when you go on road trips or

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Last Revised on May 11, 2021

ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN AMES: A HANDBOOK

need a quick charge, but if you charge exclusively with DC fast chargers, it could noticeably affect the
performance of your battery over a number of years.

If you go on vacation via plane and leave your EV at home, it will lose a small percentage of its charge
each day that it is not used. Leave it plugged in and set the charger to “trickle charge” and maintain 50%
charge. The goal is to avoid letting the battery fall below 30% or charge beyond 80% of its capacity.

Replacing and Recycling Your Battery
Be sure to ask before purchasing your vehicle about the battery warranty. Most manufacturers will offer
a warranty for at least 8 years/10,000 miles.

Table 7 Warranties for EVs, as of 2019. Battery warranties can change every year. If you’re looking at a vehicle manufactured
in a year other than 2019, check the warranty with the dealer. Some warranties are limited to the original owner. This table
does not include all relevant terms and conditions of warranties. Check with a dealer or manufacturer for more information.

Manufacturer Warranty Warranty Condition for Replacement
 Length (years) Length (miles) Replacement Under Cost if not
 Warranty/Program Under Warranty
 BMW 8 80,000