Electric Vs Gas Auto Calculator

[Rickb]

There is a definite need for a government EV Tax that hopefully would actually be used for Local, State, and Federal highway expansion and roadway repairs. As a future EV owner, I support the idea of an EV tax providing it's fair and equitable to I.C.E. vehicles.

 

[johnsnownw]

Don't forget to consider how the government is going to make up for lost gas taxes by taxing the electric meter of EV owners. Will probably require a separate meter per local codes sometime in the future. In the end the cost per mile for gas might be the same for electricity. (Unless you install solar cells, but then you have that cost to consider as well.)

The only way the cost per mile could be comparable to gasoline is if EVs were taxed disproportionately. The cost of electricity coupled with the current, and ever increasing, efficiency of EVs makes it impossible for the costs to be similar.

The Tesla Model 3 LR has a 75kWh battery, which is good for 310 miles. That's 4.13 miles/kWh. If we ignore home charging, and look at Supercharger pricing, it would cost $0.14/kWh to charge here in MN. So, that's roughly going to cost $11.34 to go 310 miles in the Model 3. I accounted for charging losses of 8% in the cost figure...it could be slightly higher or lower...depending on conditions.

In comparison the Avg. price of gas today is $2.37. If we use a BMW 3 Series Wagon (33mpg), it would cost $22.28 to go the same distance. That price included tax, which is $0.47/gallon, including state and federal.

BMW was chosen because it was closest to performance specs of the Model 3, though still slower 0-60 by more than half a second. If you compare the Model 3 to the Toyota Prius Eco, it would actually be cheaper to drive the Prius, if solely comparing prices with the Supercharger network. It's obviously cheaper for me to charge at home, and the Prius is hardly comparable to the Model 3.

So, for fueling costs to be similar between a Model 3 LR and a comparable ICE vehicle taxes would have to be more than double that of gasoline.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

The article said the battery's working life is 1,500 hours. That sounds like it has to be replaced. They said they are working to extend the life. But it is good to see people are working hard to make battery technology cheaper. If it gets cheap enough Elio could consider it for an EV.

Assuming 60MPH, that would be 90,000 miles. If easily replaceable and inexpensive, that's not a problem.
Not bad for a prototype.

Don't forget to consider how the government is going to make up for lost gas taxes by taxing the electric meter of EV owners. Will probably require a separate meter per local codes sometime in the future. In the end the cost per mile for gas might be the same for electricity. (Unless you install solar cells, but then you have that cost to consider as well.)

The likely solution will probably be tax per pound mile.
(Miles) x (Max Gross Weight of the Vehicle) x (tax rate) x (modifier) = total tax

 

[Rob Croson]

The likely solution will probably be tax per pound mile.
(Miles) x (Max Gross Weight of the Vehicle) x (tax rate) x (modifier) = total tax

This is the simplest and most easily implemented way to do it. The infrastructure is already in place to deal with it, through the annual vehicle registration process. Some wrinkles would have to be worked out in relation to buying/selling vehicles, but that shouldn't be too hard to deal with.

 

[Made in USA]

I suppose the modifier would take into account the number of wheels and their footprint? In the Elio's case there might even be consideration given because the back wheel would be traveling on a section of the road rarely normally used.

 

[Ty]

The only way the cost per mile could be comparable to gasoline is if EVs were taxed disproportionately. The cost of electricity coupled with the current, and ever increasing, efficiency of EVs makes it impossible for the costs to be similar.

The Tesla Model 3 LR has a 75kWh battery, which is good for 310 miles. That's 4.13 miles/kWh. If we ignore home charging, and look at Supercharger pricing, it would cost $0.14/kWh to charge here in MN. So, that's roughly going to cost $11.34 to go 310 miles in the Model 3. I accounted for charging losses of 8% in the cost figure...it could be slightly higher or lower...depending on conditions.

In comparison the Avg. price of gas today is $2.37. If we use a BMW 3 Series Wagon (33mpg), it would cost $22.28 to go the same distance. That price included tax, which is $0.47/gallon, including state and federal.

BMW was chosen because it was closest to performance specs of the Model 3, though still slower 0-60 by more than half a second. If you compare the Model 3 to the Toyota Prius Eco, it would actually be cheaper to drive the Prius, if solely comparing prices with the Supercharger network. It's obviously cheaper for me to charge at home, and the Prius is hardly comparable to the Model 3.

So, for fueling costs to be similar between a Model 3 LR and a comparable ICE vehicle taxes would have to be more than double that of gasoline.

Could it be as simple as requiring an doo check every year for registration and charging a "per mile" fee in lieu of gas tax?

 

[wizard of ahs]

There is a definite need for a government EV Tax that hopefully would actually be used for Local, State, and Federal highway expansion and roadway repairs. As a future EV owner, I support the idea of an EV tax providing it's fair and equitable to I.C.E. vehicles.

On my Volt, I'm taxed the "gas tax" AND I'm taxed as an EV.......NOT real equitable, it's double jeopardy

 

[Rickb]

On my Volt, I'm taxed the "gas tax" AND I'm taxed as an EV.......NOT real equitable, it's double jeopardy

Taxes never have or ever will be fair and equitable. My next car is a reservation. If or when it's ever delivered I would like to pay my fair share of road use tax based on whatever classification of vehicle I drive and energy source it requires to go from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds.

The good news is that you are gas taxed at the gas pump. When is the last time you fueled your Volt?

 

[wizard of ahs]

Taxes never have or ever will be fair and equitable. My next car is a reservation. If or when it's ever delivered I would like to pay my fair share of road use tax based on whatever classification of vehicle I drive and energy source it requires to go from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds.

The good news is that you are gas taxed at the gas pump. When is the last time you fueled your Volt?

True......let's see....last time I put gas in was July 19th when I got back from my road trip.....still have 1/2 a tank

 

[Rickb]

True......let's see....last time I put gas in was July 19th when I got back from my road trip.....still have 1/2 a tank

Ha...........That's what I thought!