If you attended our annual meeting held on September 14, you not only saw three different electric cars on display, but you heard about the first-hand experiences of the driver of a Nissan Leaf. From all reports, electric car sales are booming in the U.S. with purchases doubling over just one year ago.
Last year, electric vehicles accounted for 2 percent of all car sales. This summer, that number jumped to 5 percent of light-duty cars and more than 20 percent of all passenger vehicle sales. This is according to the September report issued by Climatewire. Automakers are starting to build EV only assembly plants and new battery manufacturing facilities. Consumer choices in EV cars is exploding with an additional 40 EV models expected in the US by the end of 2022.
Polaris has announced its new, full-size all electric Ranger UTV to be available this December. The website says the new electric powertrain will elevate the ranger platform to a whole new level of capability, durability, and performance.
Your cooperative has been approved for a grant to help purchase the new electric UTV. We will measure its energy consumption and test its capabilities within our operations. We have plans to make it available for members to use in their agricultural operations and to share it with the Power Sports Technology students at Mitchell Technical College.
Driving an electric car is, by many definitions, fun. They are loaded with features and the acceleration reminds me of my high school years where many cars were loaded with V8 engines, racing slicks and loud exhaust systems.
Electric cars will also save you money. Electric cars have fewer moving parts, which means less maintenance. While every car is different, electric vehicle owners are likely to spend about 60 percent less to power their ride. The Department of Energy has a website which will calculate how much you can save in fuel costs. The calculations I completed comparing my car to an electric car showed I would save 10 cents per mile driven. Annually that is estimated to be $1,500.
As you can see, the technology surrounding electric cars and the transportation industry is quickly evolving. Like a traditional vehicle, each model has its own capabilities and price range. Some models, like the Tesla, are more advanced, are built and designed for longer ranges and have a nationwide charging infrastructure. Other models, like the Nissan Leaf, are more affordable and designed for daily commuting. By the end of 2022 we will have many more models to choose from, and we will have to do our homework before picking out our next car.
Until Next Month, be safe!