An electric vehicle, or “EV,” is a car, truck, SUV or motorcycle that derives all or part of its power from an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. The number of EV models is increasing all the time. EVs include vehicles in a variety of price points, and include sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs. For more information, see EV Buyer’s Guide from Sonoma Clean Power.
EV Charging
You can find the nearest EV charging location using the Plugshare website or app. There are three basic types of charging available for EVs:
- Level 1 – also known as trickle charging uses a standard 120 volt outlet. Most EVs include a level 1 charger, which is portable, and can be plugged in anywhere there is an electrical outlet. They charge at a rate of 3-5 miles per hour. These are 30-50 miles overnight.
- Level 2 – require a 240 volt power (like those used for dryers and ovens). They fully charge most EVs in 4-10 hours. Level 2 charging is also available in many public places.
- Level 3 –fast chargers require Direct current charging that range from 50-350kW. They charge over 200-300 miles per hour. They’re ideal for long-distance travel and charge over 80% of the vehicle in 15-45 minutes.
Environmental Impact
Electric vehicles can promote local, regional, and global sustainability through reduced emissions, integrating with renewable electricity, and energy independence. Electric vehicles help reduce this pollution locally and regionally as electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions when using electricity as a transportation fuel. This helps improve and maintain air quality locally and regionally.
The Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority estimated in 2022 that transportation emissions accounted for 57.7% of greenhouse gas emissions in theCounty. As such, electric vehicles can help contribute towards mitigating the impacts of global climate change because electricity has much lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline. In Sonoma County, those greenhouse gas emissions are even lower thanks to Sonoma Clean Power (SCP).