U.S. electric vehicle sales jumped from 0.2% of total vehicle sales in 2011 to 4.6% in 2021. S&P Global Mobility predicts that electric vehicle sales in the U.S. could reach 40 or even the top 50 percent of total passenger car sales by 2030.
As the global transition from gasoline cars to electric cars progresses, receive steam, the dilemma of running out of gas on an abandoned highway has been replaced by a shortage of charging stations in Newark, New Jersey. Although electric vehicle sales continue to be strong, the infrastructure required to maintain and fuel electric vehicles remains alarmingly uneven across regions.
According to a survey conducted by roof gnomeFive U.S. cities stand out as top destinations for drivers looking to invest in an EV and also embrace new green technology.
Shortlisted cities will not only offer an abundance of EV charging stations, but also financial incentives for converting to EVs and other green upgrades.
Top 5 U.S. cities for electric car owners
Proximity to EV charging stations may not be enough of an incentive to make a large-scale relocation, but these cities also happen to offer a high quality of life, fulfilling employment opportunities, and other attractions. It offers.
San Diego, California
Three of the five cities on the final EV-friendly list are located in California, a state well known for its environmental efforts.
San Diego ranks first overall as it offers 46 EV charging stations per 100,000 residents, 34th in the nation. For EV owners, the number and proximity of charging stations is a very important consideration.
San Diego is also tied for first in EV laws and incentives with 202. These laws and incentive programs not only incentivize the installation and maintenance of EV chargers, but also provide financial benefits and tax breaks to new EV owners. .
The city’s focus on solar panel technology, which could be used to charge EVs in the near future, also helped it earn the top spot.
houston, texas
RoofNome’s research did not provide specific data on Houston’s EV charging resources, but it did reveal the city’s growing interest in solar energy, particularly rooftop solar panels for power generation. .
Houston ranks #1 for the number of solar panel programs and government-backed incentives. Residential electricity bills are also lower than average, which is an incentive for electric car owners. Charge overnight at your home.
Long commute times and a high proportion of household income spent on gas also make the possibility of owning an electric or hybrid vehicle more attractive.
Irvine, California
Irvine, California is known for its high concentration of technology industries, research facilities, and higher education institutions. It’s no surprise that this city ranks #1 for the number of EV charging stations, with 212 per 100,000 residents.
The city also has 30 state-level solar panel programs and green incentives for residents and businesses. Car insurance premiums are the lowest in the country at 0.43% of monthly household income.
new york new york
For a large city, New York City is actually very tolerant of private EV ownership by residents and visitors. 108 laws and incentives encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and other environmentally friendly technologies.
New York has a huge potential source of solar energy from rooftop solar panels. Long commute times and the push to electrify public transport are incentivizing migrants to seek cleaner personal transportation for work and pleasure.
Los Angeles, California
The City of Los Angeles has invested heavily in solar energy panels that can harness the abundance of sunlight to power EV chargers. The city has 47 EV chargers per 100,000 residents, making it his second-highest potential for annual solar generation.
Los Angeles also has a significant number of hybrid or all-electric vehicle repair shops, one for every 300,000 residents.
Access to replacement parts and professional maintenance is an important consideration for EV owners, as authorized repair stations may be limited or non-existent in certain regions of the United States.
Cities not on the chart
Several U.S. cities did not make the shortlist for this study, but deserve honorable mention. These include Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Collins, Colorado. San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco, California; and Chicago, Illinois.
Number of EV charging stations
The three cities with the most EV charging stations per 100,000 residents are Irvine, CA; Bellevue, Washington. and Atlanta, Georgia. A large number of EV charging stations not only shows a city’s commitment to alternative energy, but also gives EV owners a better sense of security.
As Dr. Mashler “Ronnie” Chaudhry, the Eugene Douglas Mays Professor of Transportation at Clemson University, explains: various driving ranges. Distances can be as low as 120 miles, as high as 350 miles, and anything in between. Therefore, long-distance driving of EVs remains dependent on the availability of widespread charging infrastructure across the United States.
According to the Alternative Fuel Data Center (AFDC), Infrastructure for charging EVs increases, and has now expanded further into various states across the United States. However, there are still areas where charging infrastructure is lacking.
For example, there are still large gaps between consecutive charging stations in parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
However, given the growth in EV charging infrastructure in recent years, these gaps should soon be overcome, especially for long-range EVs like Tesla models, making EVs a viable means of transportation around the country. It will be. ”
lowest average electricity costs
Electricity may be cheaper to produce and store than gasoline, but the cost per fuel supply is not completely zero. EV owners should consider cities with the lowest average value electricity Maximum benefits come at a cost.
Seattle, Washington. Bellevue, Washington. Naperville, Illinois has the lowest residential electricity costs.
“We’re excited to be able to help our customers make the most of their time on the road,” said Reggie Bennett, Northern Virginia Community College, NOVA/Alexandria Campus, MSTB Department of Automotive Technology Instructor. System effectiveness.
Location has a lot to do with electricity costs and coverage. battery energy It must be used to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle. ”
EV law and incentives
California leads the nation in EV laws and incentive programs, with five California cities (San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, San Diego, and Los Angeles) coming out on top in the study.
Don McKenzie, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington, explains: Searchable database of incentives and laws It relates to all types of alternative fuels and vehicles, including EVs.
“You can search by entering your state, the technology you’re interested in, and the type of policy. Many incentives may be phased out in the future, but it’s hard to say exactly when they will be phased out.”
The entire electric vehicle industry remains in flux as current drivers weigh the pros and cons of transitioning. Much of the future of the EV market will depend on whether more states introduce economic incentives, cities improve charging station infrastructure, and manufacturers introduce new technology.
This article was created by Media decisions Syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.