Plug-in electric vehicles

The document examines the state of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), detailing the differences between battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). It highlights the U.S. market's heavy reliance on California due to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program and specific state incentives. The text analyzes the economic benefits of PEVs, noting lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, and discusses the critical role of charging infrastructure and falling battery prices. Globally, it notes the leadership of China and Europe in PEV sales and the aspirational phase-out targets for gasoline cars in countries like Norway and India.

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) produce less than half the carbon dioxide of conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, even when accounting for the fact that approximately two-thirds of U.S. electricity is generated by coal and natural gas.
• A study by the American Lung Association of California estimated that gasoline vehicles cause $37 billion in annual health and climate costs; replacing 65 percent of cars with electric vehicles in 10 eastern and western states by 2050 could reduce these costs by $21 billion.
• U.S. PEV sales are heavily concentrated in California, where nearly half of all new PEV sales occurred between 2010 and 2016. This is attributed to a widespread charging infrastructure, carpool lane privileges, and generous rebates.
• The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program's 'travel provision' allowed automakers to meet sales mandates for nine participating states by selling vehicles primarily in California; however, this provision was set to end after 2017.
• Operating a PEV is significantly cheaper than a gasoline vehicle; as of March 2017, the average U.S. gallon equivalent of electricity was $1.11 compared to $2.32 for regular gasoline.
• Battery costs have decreased significantly, falling 73 percent from $1,000/kWh in 2010 to $273/kWh in 2016, which has driven down the overall cost of electric vehicles.
• Global PEV adoption is led by China, which saw 85 percent growth with nearly 351,000 vehicles sold in 2016, followed by Europe with approximately 221,000 vehicles. The U.S. sold around 157,000 plug-in vehicles in 2016.
• Several nations have set targets to phase out gasoline cars, including Norway (aiming for 2025), India (aiming for 2030), and the United Kingdom and France (intending to ban sales by 2040).

APA

Wollenberg, A. (2017). Plug-in electric vehicles. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-plug-in-electric-vehicles-2017

Chicago

Wollenberg, Andrew. Plug-in electric vehicles. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2017. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-plug-in-electric-vehicles-2017.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wollenberg |first1=Andrew |title=Plug-in electric vehicles |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=8 August 2017 |url=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-plug-in-electric-vehicles-2017 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wollenberg2017plugin, author = {Wollenberg, Andrew}, title = {{Plug-in electric vehicles}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2017}, month = aug, url = {https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-plug-in-electric-vehicles-2017}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }