Electric MME vs. Gas: Mile for Mile, EVs Still Hold Edge, But Advantage Shrinks

[RobbertPatrison]

Our electric Mach-E remains a more economical choice on a per-mile basis compared to gasoline-powered cars, despite a narrowing of the cost gap. An EV like the MME has an average energy cost that's roughly 100% lower (twice as cheap) per mile driven when compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

However, this advantage has shrunk from a previous high of 150% due to a faster rise in average electricity rates compared to gasoline prices. This chart illustrates this fluctuation in cost advantage based on gas price movements.

The chart is based on detailed monthly data downloaded from the US Bureau of Labor website. I took the EPA usage of 26 MPG for a new ICE car and 2.8 miles/kWh for the electric MME. The data will not be much different for typical EVs.

Your individual mileage advantage varies depending on what you would pay for gas and are paying for electricity. My MME is only 50% cheaper because I live in Silicon Valley where our energy monopolist PG&E has jacked up prices dramatically. Currently, my household electric gate is a whopping $0.41/kWh, 137% more than the national average:

The inflated rates of PG&E significantly impact the overall cost savings.

When adjusted for inflation, national average electricity rates have remained relatively stable over the past twelve years, with the exception of Silicon Valley.

Conversely, gasoline prices have actually decreased compared to 2012, except for the Bay Area:

Despite the rise in electricity rates, EVs continue to be the more economical option in terms of energy cost. However, energy cost is just one smaller factor influencing total ownership costs. Depreciation dominates:

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[njb]

For me the real advantage is not using gas regardless of the cost. In Illinois 50% of my electricity can come from nuclear and I also have roof solar. I'm hoping that my electric energy continues to move away from coal/gas. I understand that not everyone has the same situation or goals.

 

[HuntingPudel]

For me, I can only compare to my other vehicles. My MME is so much more efficient in town that it’s not funny. Since my other cars get 10 mpg or less on premium fuel, the in-town cost per mile is hideous. ??

 

[The_machinist]

2.8m/kwh seems low to me. I’m usually at about 3.5

 

[GatorJ_MME]

You actual cost savings depends on whether your state charges an annual registration fee for EVs to recoup gas tax dollars.

 

[RobbertPatrison]

2.8m/kwh seems low to me. I’m usually at about 3.5

2.8 is the EPA plug-to-wheel rating for the AWD, and includes the 11% loss in the charger. 3.5 battery-to-wheel is pretty good. Even if I try hard and with mild weather I barely get 3.1.

 

[EasyPass]

When others claim my EV is just a coal burner, I point out that the vehicle actually doesn't care where it's electrical energy comes from; be it from hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal, whatever. The EV is ready to accept any of the above when the public utilities inevitably transition away from fossil fuels driven by economics of all sorts in the end. That is the promise of an EV future even if we aren't realizing this today in a large measure.
?

 

[HuntingPudel]

2.8 is the EPA plug-to-wheel rating for the AWD, and includes the 11% loss in the charger. 3.5 battery-to-wheel is pretty good. Even if I try hard and with mild weather I barely get 3.1.

I get between 2.3-2.8 on my daily commute with my GT-PE even with 275s on it, so that number seems fine to me. ?‍?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Currently, my household electric gate is a whopping $0.41/kWh, 137% more

I’ll take those rates in a heartbeat, those are our off peak rates before taxes and fees. Our peak rates (5 pm to 11 pm) are 61¢ per kWh before taxes/fees with a slight drop from 11 pm to 9 am. Off peak is 9 am through 5 pm.

Conversely, gasoline prices have actually decreased compared to 2012, except for the Bay Area

Regular grade gasoline in town is $5.589. Down at Naalehu (southernmost settlement in the country) you’re looking at close to $7.00 per gallon.

It’s all relative. Elsewhere things are cheaper, and so far only PG&E and HECO have managed to burn towns down and kill people.

 

[dtbaker61]

Our electric Mach-E remains a more economical choice on a per-mile basis compared to gasoline-powered cars, despite a narrowing of the cost gap. An EV like the MME has an average energy cost that's roughly 100% lower (twice as cheap) per mile driven when compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

However, this advantage has shrunk from a previous high of 150% due to a faster rise in average electricity rates compared to gasoline prices. This chart illustrates this fluctuation in cost advantage based on gas price movements.

The chart is based on detailed monthly data downloaded from the US Bureau of Labor website. I took the EPA usage of 26 MPG for a new ICE car and 2.8 miles/kWh for the electric MME. The data will not be much different for typical EVs.

Your individual mileage advantage varies depending on what you would pay for gas and are paying for electricity. My MME is only 50% cheaper because I live in Silicon Valley where our energy monopolist PG&E has jacked up prices dramatically. Currently, my household electric gate is a whopping $0.41/kWh, 137% more than the national average:

The inflated rates of PG&E significantly impact the overall cost savings.

When adjusted for inflation, national average electricity rates have remained relatively stable over the past twelve years, with the exception of Silicon Valley.

Conversely, gasoline prices have actually decreased compared to 2012, except for the Bay Area:

Despite the rise in electricity rates, EVs continue to be the more economical option in terms of energy cost. However, energy cost is just one smaller factor influencing total ownership costs. Depreciation dominates:

Depreciation is not an actual cost of operation / mile; and varies widely depending on make/model of the vehicle you are talking about anyway.

Energy cost can be controlled if you install enough solar to charge your EV yourself regardless what the local utility charges.... especially with whacky TOU rates coming soon where night time energy may flip and be more expensive than 10a-3p when we'll have solar surplus on the Grid.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

especially with whacky TOU rates coming soon where night time energy may flip and be more expensive than 10a-3p when we'll have solar surplus on the Grid.

We’ve been there for sometime. Massive solar online (both rooftop and mega solar farms) during the day and fossil fuel, geothermal plants, and the working battery storage online during the night. Our electric bills have doubled in a years time while our electric use has gone down.

I charge my mme between 12 pm and 4 pm only. That gives the batteries enough time to charge up before charging starts and time to recover afterwards before expensive grid power kicks in.

 

[zvez]

2.8 is the EPA plug-to-wheel rating for the AWD, and includes the 11% loss in the charger. 3.5 battery-to-wheel is pretty good. Even if I try hard and with mild weather I barely get 3.1.

my gt in good weather 2.8 seems to be about the best I can get

 

[Space_Pony]

My previous vehicle was a hybrid that got about 40 mpg. If I had to do much DCFC charging, I don't think I would be saving much over my previous vehicle with current gas prices at $3.50. Fortunately I don't have much time to travel so I'm using my L2 for fuel at .15/kw.

 

[MBCook]

The savings are shrinking ignoring the GIANT MASSIVE pile of externalities? So is burning all your trash and not paying to have it taken away.

Ignoring traffic lights when driving is also faster ignoring externalities.

The government printing $1,000,000,000 per month for each citizen and giving it to them is great if you ignore all externalities.

The externalities matter to me. So does the performance, and lack of noise, and the smoothness, and not dealing with smelly gas.

I’m good, thanks. Good try oil people.

 

[RobbertPatrison]

I’ll take those rates in a heartbeat, those are our off peak rates before taxes and fees. Our peak rates (5 pm to 11 pm) are 61¢ per kWh before taxes/fees with a slight drop from 11 pm to 9 am. Off peak is 9 am through 5 pm.

Regular grade gasoline in town is $5.589. Down at Naalehu (southernmost settlement in the country) you’re looking at close to $7.00 per gallon.

It’s all relative. Elsewhere things are cheaper, and so far only PG&E and HECO have managed to burn towns down and kill people.

I’m on the PG&E EV plan for a long time already. It used to be 10c/kWh off-peak in 2012. Currently it is 37c/kWh off-peak in summer and indeed over 60c on peak.
At that peak rate it is cheaper to run a gas powered generator.

It is all relative, but the extreme increases are not really justifiable.

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