What Do You Think Of Electric Vehicles?

I talk to people about the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel often.  When asked the question - What do you think of electric vehicles? I used to say, I don't think about them at all.

The first reason for that curt answer: I focus on heavy duty applications and engines, where there are not feasible market ready electric options.  This has been especially true if the current combustion engine has a long useful life like a locomotive with 20 years or more and ships with 30 years or more.  The ability to continue to use the existing combustion engine with natural gas makes the choice more feasible than a comparable situation with electric that would require a new engine.

The second reason: I spent 12 years working for an oil and gas producer.  If you work for a carrot farmer you probably get exceptionally low prices for carrots and it would be an obvious choice for your salad.  Oil and natural gas producers get exceptionally low prices for natural gas to fuel their vehicles.  Even with low gasoline prices near $2.00, $.50 natural gas per gasoline gallon equivalent provides a  75% discount. 

The third reason: We needed market ready products for our oil and gas fleet with the utility that our drivers required to carry heavy equipment in some challenging environments like through the Rocky Mountains in the winter. I appreciate research and development but we needed vehicles that could go to work immediately and provide a return on investment in 2 years.

As I transitioned from an insider in the oil and gas industry to a consultant I had to step back and take a fresh look at the energy industry, transportation and alternatives.

I participated in a workshop and study with Sandia National Laboratories that primed the pump. The workshop looked at the success we had to date with natural gas fueling and looked for areas that overlapped with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.  I started following the impressive work Toyota is doing on the West coast with the Mirai. I added hydrogen fuel cell to my list of regular searches online. Projects like Sandia's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ship Project in Honolulu look very promising.

I extended my research list to include authors with very different backgrounds and perspectives.  I was on a Women in Transportation panel beside Margo Oge, the author of “Driving the Future: Combating Climate Change with Cleaner, Smarter Cars” and a Former Director at the Office of Transportation and Air Quality at the U.S. EPA. Her book was thought provoking and insightful.

Most recently I have been pining for a King Ranch Ford F150 that runs on natural gas but have not been able to make it happen.  When Toyota reached out to me to join their group of influencers with an offer to drive a RAV4 Hybrid and share my experiences, I did not hesitate to take the keys.  

I've been driving the compact sport utility for a week.  My first impression is that the vehicle is larger than I expected.  It is very stylish but of course Toyota makes stylish cars. The incremental cost for the hybrid is only $2,100, less than 10% of the $28,370 sticker price.  The incremental costs have been going down as the market has developed.  As a point of comparison, incremental costs for my dream truck will probably be $9,000, about 15% of a very nice $70,000 truck.

Switching from gasoline to natural gas with a bi-fuel truck provides the best of both worlds.  Hybrid vehicles provide a similar value using the internal combustion engine with gasoline and batteries for the electric motor. What the RAV4 and the F150 do very well is provide a spacious comfortable vehicle with the necessary utility.  

The idea of plug-in vehicles have not appealed to me because most of them do not provide the space or utility I require.  I don't find the Prius or any small compact cars stylish or desirable.  

If I can compromise on size, the RAV4 hybrid is an excellent choice.  There was plenty of room for two teenagers to sit comfortably in the back. With respect for Toyota's quality, it appears to be a great value.  In a recent report Exxon estimates "hybrids to jump from about 2 percent of new-car sales in 2014 to more than 40 percent by 2040. In contrast, plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars are likely to account for less than 10 percent of new-car sales globally in 2040."

I am still not qualified to answer too many questions about electric vehicles but driving the RAV4 has been a positive experience. I am seriously considering purchasing one, if not for me for my teenager who will be driving soon.  

My research and experience with natural gas powered engines gives me confidence in the potential for clean burning natural gas as an affordable alternative to diesel, distillate and bunker fuel today for high horse power engines in trucks, ships, locomotives, oil and gas operations, mining, and heavy duty trucks.  The Exxon report also expects "natural gas use in trucking will increase by almost 300 percent from 2014 to 2040." Toyota understands this - they have introduced compressed natural gas-fueled car haulers.  Regarding personal vehicles I am looking beyond natural gas. I am enjoying learning more about new technology and options.

I will be at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach next week looking at the Mirai and the growing number of alternative fuel vehicles on the market.  

If you  drive or have drove a hybrid electric vehicle, plug-in electric vehicle or other variation, what do you think of electric vehicles?