 Electric Vehicles
Driving change
The latest electric-vehicle technologies will reduce the environmental impact of transportation, including reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. They may also offer an alternative to the rising cost of petroleum-based fuels and greater regional and national energy independence.
Puget Sound Energy is committed to working with our residential and business customers, government agencies and automakers to ensure that our region smoothly integrates these next-generation technologies with our transportation and energy systems.
We have tested electric vehicles in our own fleet and worked with auto manufacturers, governments and customers to ensure our energy supplies and power-delivery infrastructure are ready for the future. As new technologies enter the marketplace, we will be doing our part to put Washington on the road to a future of cleaner, greener transportation.
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Tips on getting ready for an electric vehicle
We can help you determine what you need to do to get your home or office ready for an electric-vehicle charging station and ensure that your electrical service is able to support the added load of charging your electric vehicle.
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Types of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles come in many different sizes and styles, and with different range and speed specifications. The distance you need to drive between battery charges and how you use your vehicle are important considerations in identifying the right car for you.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
While not an electric vehicle that plugs in to recharge, HEVs run partially on electricity. Hybrid vehicles are partially driven by an internal-combustion motor and partially by electric motors. The batteries to power the electric motors are charged by braking of the vehicle or by a generator or alternator on the engine. Examples of these are the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid, both of which are in use in PSE's fleet. Hybrid cars and light trucks typically have ranges of 400 miles or more. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
These vehicles are fully propelled by electric motors with no internal-combustion engine. The batteries to power the electric motors are recharged primarily by plugging into a charging station, as well as some contribution of energy recaptured during braking. Examples of BEVs include the Nissan LEAF and the Ford Focus Electric.
BEVs typically have ranges of 80 to 120 miles, can travel at highway speeds and take from 4 to 8 hours to fully charge an empty battery. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
PHEVs are similar to hybrid vehicles but have larger batteries and electric motors that allow these vehicles to use electricity for more driving than a normal hybrid. The batteries are recharged mainly by using a wall outlet or charging station. Examples of PHEVs include the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid. PHEVs typically have ranges of 400 miles or more (using both electricity and gasoline or diesel), and can travel at highway speeds. They may take from 2 to 10 hours to fully charge an empty battery.
PSE has used several plug-in hybrids in its own fleet over the past several years. Learn more about our experience
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles fact sheet Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREVs)
EREVs have one or more electric motors on board to drive the vehicle at all speeds. They also have an internal combustion engine that is used only to recharge the batteries; it does not directly drive the vehicle like in a plug-in hybrid. An example is the Chevy Volt.
EREVs typically have ranges of 400 miles or more (including use of the engine to recharge the batteries), can travel at highway speeds, and take from 2 to 10 hours to fully charge an empty battery. Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs)
NEVs are driven by electric motors, like a BEV, but are not capable of being driven at highway speeds. They are typically limited to 25 to 35 miles per hour top speed, and may be limited to these speeds by law. Examples of NEVs are the GEM e4 and the ZENN Motorcar. NEVs typically have ranges of less than 40 miles and take around 5 hours to fully charge an empty battery. Charging your electric vehicle at home
Charging at home is the easiest, most convenient way to charge your electric vehicle. There are two levels of charging that are commonly used in homes.
Level 1: This is a normal wall outlet with a ground fault circuit interrupter, usually 15 or 20 amps at 120 volts. Your EV has a specialized plug on it and will come with a charge cord that mates the plug with your standard wall outlet. Using Level 1 charging, a BEV will gain about 3 or 4 miles of driving range for each hour of charging.
Level 2: This is a specialized charger designed for higher power than Level 1, typically anywhere from 15 to 80 amps between 208 and 240 volts. Most units will operate at 30 amps, about the same power as an electric drier, water heater or range. Using Level 2 charging, a BEV will gain 10 to 30 miles or more of driving range for each hour of charging, depending on the model of BEV and charging power. This requires a specific electric vehicle charger that is permanently wired into your home and contains a number of safety features.
The level of charging you use will depend on the type of EV you drive, and the distance you travel. For someone with a short daily commute who is considering a PHEV, which also runs on gasoline, a Level 1 charging may be sufficient. For someone who drives a BEV and commutes 70 miles each day, a Level 2 charging may be preferred. Charging your electric vehicle at your business
Providing charging for your company's vehicle fleet, employees, or visitors is similar to charging at home. A few additional points to consider are exactly who will be using the charging station, when they'll be using it (e.g. fleet charging at night, or employee or customer charging during the day) and security (e.g. charging station located in a private fleet lot, or a public location for customers). Check your electrical supply
Confirm that your wiring is in the right place
Have an electrician inspect the wiring in your home or business before contacting PSE and installing your charging station. This will help prevent problems with your electrical system when adding and charging an electric vehicle. This service may be provided by your charging-station provider or vehicle dealer. Inspect your electrical panel
Your electrician will need to inspect your electrical panel to ensure that its size is adequate to safely power a charging station without affecting your electrical system. This service may be provided by your charging-station provider or vehicle dealer. Coordinate with PSE
Once you've checked your wiring and electrical panel, but BEFORE filing permits, contact PSE. We will ensure that your service connection is correctly sized, plus discuss other options that you may want to pursue, such as separate metering for charging stations. To get started, please submit your completed EV charging station construction packet, consisting of the following three forms (once you have an electrical plan, these should take about 5 minutes to complete):
Customer service information sheet
Electric-vehicle project inquiry supplement
For more information or questions, please e-mail us or call a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Install, test and go!
Finalize plans with your installer
Make sure you're all set with the location, parking spot and wiring runs. Get appropriate electrical permits
Some installations will require a permit to be obtained from local authorities. Your installer can help with this process. PSE can help you. Schedule the work, then install and test your charging station
If you need to modify your home's electrical panel, you may need to plan ahead to be without power for a few hours. PSE can help schedule any needed disconnection and reconnection of service. Learn to use your new charging station
Charging-station providers should provide training on how to use their equipment. Make sure you understand how to safely operate the charging station and that full electrical service has been restored to your home or business prior to the installer leaving. What are the next steps?
If you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle or would like more information about what it takes to make your home or office electric-vehicle-ready, PSE can help: e-mail us or call a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Electric vehicle fact sheet
Electric vehicle brochure
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost to charge an electric vehicle?
For a compact battery EV, it will cost approximately 3 cents per mile of driving to charge, based on PSE's current residential rates. In comparison, a 35-mpg gasoline vehicle, using $3 a gallon gas costs 9 cents per mile of driving for fuel, about 3 times as much. If you drive 12,000 miles a year, this would cost about 30 dollars a month with PSE's current residential electric rates. What sort of emissions come from an EV?
Depending on the type of vehicle, emissions range from none (for a battery electric vehicle) to less than half those of a normal car (for PHEVs and EREVs), depending on how you drive. Am I just trading tailpipe CO2 emissions for a power plant?
No. Running on PSE's clean electricity provides lower carbon emissions than a standard car. A four-door EV hatchback charged on PSE's current power supply means carbon emissions of less than one quarter of a pound per mile. A similar gasoline car that gets 35 mpg creates more than twice that much. That means an EV has 60 percent less emissions associated with it than a regular high-mpg car.
However, for PSE's Green Power Program participants, since their energy use is matched with renewable energy in the grid, those EV carbon emissions become zero. What sort of charger do I need?
A charger may come with or be recommended for your vehicle. Also, there may be an opportunity to receive a charger through The EV Project or ChargePoint America. The time you're usually parked and the distance you usually drive are important factors to consider to be sure that you have the right charger. Where should I put the charger?
Consider where and in what direction you park your car, where you can mount the charger and get power to it, and where the cords will run when they are connected to your car or hanging on the wall. Your charging-station provider or installer may be able to help with this process. If you live in an apartment or condo, you may need to consult with your building's owner or homeowner's association. |
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