Divisions & Programs

Electric Vehicles in Cambridge

Electric Vehicle Types
Charging
Environmental Advantages of Electric Vehicles
City Initiative
Resources
For More Information

Electric vehicles are coming! Many automobile manufacturers are beginning to roll out electric vehicle (EV) models that give individuals and businesses new options to reduce their environmental impact and reduce fuel costs.

Electric Vehicle Types

There are two types of electric vehicles:

Battery electric – These are all-electric vehicles where an electric motor replaces the internal combustion engine. The power used to run the electric motor is stored in the onboard battery that can be recharged from the regional power grid. The new EVs coming on the market are expected to have a range of 40 to 100 miles per charge, depending on the battery size, driving and weather conditions.
Plug-in hybrids – These are vehicles that combine electric motors with internal combustion engines (ICE). The ICE can run the vehicle or recharge the batteries if the electricity runs low. Plug-in hybrids will get about 30 to 40 miles on the electric motor and battery alone. Unlike a hybrid vehicle, plug-in hybrids can be recharged from the electric grid.

The prices of EVs range between $27,990 for the Mitsubishi iMiEV, and $100,000 for the luxury Tesla Roadster.

Go to information about available EV models.

Electric vehicles (both battery electric and plug-in hybrids) purchased after 2009 are eligible for a federal income tax credit ranging from $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the battery capacity. The full amount of the tax credit will decline after the manufacturer has sold 200,000 EVs.

Go to information about electric vehicle tax credits.

Charging

EV specifications, charge time and range:

Battery size (kwh)	On Board Charger	Example Model	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3	Range
Battery size (kwh)	On Board Charger	Example Model	120 VAC 15 amp 1.2kw	120 VAC 20 amp 1.6 kw	240 VAC 40 amp 6.5 kw	480 VAC 85 amp 60kw	highly dependent on driving habits
16	3.3kw	Chevy Volt	13 hrs	10hrs	3-4 hrs	16m	40 miles
24	3.3 kw	Nissan Leaf	20 hrs	15 hrs	6-7 hrs	30-40 m	100 miles
23	6.6 kw	Ford Focus	n/a	n/a	3-4 hrs	n/a	100 miles
16	3 kw	Mitsubishi iMiEV	14 hrs	12 hrs	6-7 hrs	n/a	80 miles
35	16 kw	Tesla Roadster	29 hrs	21 hrs	5 hrs	35m	244 miles

There are different types of charging equipment referred to as Levels 1, 2, and 3. The differences are related to the speed of charging. [You should add cost ranges to these category descriptions.]

Level 1 is the slowest and involves plugging into a standard wall outlet.
Level 2 will be the most common type of charging equipment, at least initially, given that it costs significantly less than Level 3. Level 2 charging uses specialized equipment with a 240-volt connection, which is similar to the type of plug used for dryer connections.
Level 3 is rapid charging, but is currently too expensive for widespread adoption.

Most EV owners will charge at home. Auto manufacturers are partnering with charging equipment vendors to make home installation easy and streamlined for customers.

A federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for home-based charging equipment is available.

An industry standard has been established for the coupler that connects EVs to the charging equipment. This ensures that EV owners will be able to recharge their vehicles at any charging station, whether in a garage or in a public place.

The effort to install Level 2 EV charging equipment in public spaces around Cambridge is in its early stages. Two Cambridge hotels offer charging stations for their customers: the Charles Hotel and the Hotel Veritas.

The City also received a grant from the DOER to install 7-12 level 2 Coulomb charging stations at various locations throughout the city. Those charging stations are expected to be installed in the fall of 2011.

To find Coulomb charging stations you can use Coulombs locator map.

The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center also has a map of charging stations that includes charging stations made by other manufacturers as well.

Environmental Advantages of Electric Vehicles

Cambridge encourages residents and employees to walk, bike, ride public transit, and carpool rather than driving alone. These are all environmentally better choices than driving alone. If you do drive alone, electric vehicle technology is an improvement over the internal combustion engine (ICE).

Battery electric vehicles do not emit any pollution at the tailpipe. Most EVs will recharge their batteries from the regional power grid so emissions can be associated with the production of electricity. How the electricity that supplies the grid is produced determines the environmental footprint of electric vehicles. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, EVs can emit up to 99 percent less conventional air pollution than an ICE vehicle even when charging from the grid. EVs can emit up to 70 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than ICE vehicles. EVs charged from renewable sources such as solar or wind have zero emissions.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. When running on the electric motor these vehicles do not emit pollution at the tailpipe, but when the ICE takes over or recharges the battery, pollutants are emitted.

Electric vehicles are better-suited for urban driving compared to internal combustion engines. They provide a smoother, quieter ride and stronger acceleration in the stop-and-go traffic of cities.

Electric vehicles are more efficient than vehicles with internal combustion engines. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the battery to power the wheels—internal combustion engines only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline.

Electric vehicles are simpler and cheaper to maintain than ICE vehicles. EVs do not need regular oil changes.

City Initiative

Working through the Climate Protection Action Committee, a City advisory group, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the City is assessing how best to support the deployment of electric vehicles as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions. Among the key issues is how to provide public charging infrastructure and how to provide charging options for residents who live in homes without garages or driveways, so called “garage orphans.”

Resources

For More Information

For more information contact Bronwyn Cooke, bcooke@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4653. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

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