From The Jersey Sierran, July - September 2022
In April, Sierra Club volunteers took part in four events throughout New Jersey to promote electric vehicles (EVs). Part of Drive Electric Earth Day, the events offered a chance for anyone interested in buying an electric car to speak to owners of the vehicles about their own experiences. EVs are better for the environment, more fun to drive, cheaper to operate, and easier to fuel than gasoline vehicles. At the same time, driving a new type of car takes some getting used to and many people have questions, which is what these events are for.
The events, held in Flemington, Montclair, Newton, and Madison, attracted over 60 EV owners and dealers, who brought a wide variety of these vehicles for viewing, discussion, and, in some cases, test drives. In addition to many Teslas, owners brought EVs made by Ford, Polestar, Audi, VW, Jaguar, Mini Cooper, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, BMW, and Kia. BMW dealers showed the i4 and the new iX. At the Montclair event, e-bikes were on display from Diamond Cycle.
Electric vehicle owners had many interesting stories to tell. Some had as many as 130,000 miles on their batteries. A Rutgers University student described how easy it was to keep his Kia charged even while living in a dorm. And in Montclair, a high school student brought the fully electric 2002 Dodge that he uses to commute to school. He purchased the car for $550, sold the gas engine for $500, and converted the vehicle to electric using YouTube tutorials.
Electric cars are good for the climate and the environment in many ways. In addition to having zero tailpipe emissions, many studies find that, even including the manufacturing process, EVs are responsible for considerably lower emissions over their lifetime than conventional vehicles.
And, as countries work toward greener electricity generation, both manufacturing and driving emissions will fall for EVs. Many consumers are concerned about the environmental and climate justice issues associated with battery production and recycling. While different studies produce differing results, battery production and recycling are the focus of a great deal of current research and development. Yet for some, locking in 10 or more years of a vehicle powered by fossil fuel—with the geopolitical, climate, and polluting implications—may seem like a graver concern.
For those who are in the market for a new vehicle, finding an EV owner to speak to can allay some of those concerns. If you missed a nearby Drive Electric event in April, look for more during National Drive Electric Week (Sept. 23-Oct. 2).
Many thanks to our co-sponsors across the state: GreenFaith, Central Jersey Electric Auto Association, Rodfather Gang, and Montclair Climate Action.
Reference
https://bit.ly/395DuD6