There’s a lot of information (and misinformation) out there on electric vehicles (a.k.a. EVs). You might be wondering, are EVs really better for the environment? Will they hurt the power grid? Read on for answers to these and other frequently asked questions about EVs.
Are electric vehicles just as bad for the environment as my gas car?
No. EVs run more efficiently than gasoline cars and they have no tailpipe emissions, so are much better for the environment.
According to Drive Electric Colorado, a gas powered vehicle is 40% efficient, and a comparable EV is about 90% efficient, so you get better mileage for your power supply. EVs also produce fewer emissions over their lifetime, especially as the electric grid comes from more renewable sources in the future.
To speak with one of YVSC’s technical experts on EVs or EV charging, email conner@yvcs.org.
If you charge at home and have solar panels, you use no fossil fuels to run. If you have a renewable energy mix from your utility, you use that percentage of renewable energy to charge, but you still drive with no tailpipe emissions. Currently, Yampa Valley Electric Association’s power mix is 45% renewable, with an option to offset the balance to become a 100% clean energy user at home through the Green Choice program.
Does material mining for EV batteries make them worse than gas cars?
Raw material extraction and EV battery manufacturing do have concerning environmental impacts including surface mining, high water usage, toxic metal exposure, and pollution, according to Green Cars. However, the materials in the batteries can be recycled to reduce mining needs in the future.
The pollution and emissions to produce an EV, including the battery, are higher than the manufacturing process of gasoline vehicles. But factoring in the driving emissions with the battery and car manufacture, EVs are much better for the environment, according to Sustainability by Numbers. An average driver in the US that switches to an EV could reduce emissions by half from their former gas or diesel vehicle.
Prospective electric vehicle (EV) owners test drive a car during a EV Ride & Drive event at the Howelsen Rodeo Grounds parking lot.
Are there enough places to charge an EV?
Mostly the answer is yes, though fast chargers may not always be available. There also aren’t nearly as many public charging stations in rural areas as urban ones.
Many people charge their vehicles at home, and this is enough for their driving needs. Most EVs can be charged with a standard 120 Volt outlet, or you can install a 240 Volt system to charge more quickly, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. If Yampa Valley Electric Association is your energy provider, you can apply for a rebate of up to $500 for installing a Level 2 charger at home. If you live elsewhere, check for local rebates with your utility provider.
Many EVs can travel 200–350 miles on a single charge now, but this can still cause anxiety on a road trip. There are apps like PlugShare to help locate charging stations and plan your trip. There were over 61,000 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations in the United States as of February 2024, according to Pew Research Center.
If you’d like to have more charging options installed in your area, the Charge Ahead Colorado grant provides funding for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure for multifamily housing, businesses, and governments.
An electric vehicle (EV) Ambassador shows off their car during a EV Ride & Drive event and the Howelsen Rodeo Grounds parking lot.
Will increased EV charging collapse the power grid?
More EVs on the road will not collapse the US power grid. Higher electricity demand from EV growth may require upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure, with those plans already underway.
EVs can be charged at off-peak times, like charging overnight at home, according to the EPA. Increased renewable energy can help meet new demand. If much of your local energy comes from solar, charging during daylight hours uses that clean energy during its highest availability.
With improved smart charging programs, the grid can actually pull excess energy from charging EV batteries, pay those customers, and feed the power back into the grid at peak times, according to EV Charging Summit.
Speak with an expert
Yampa Valley Sustainability Council has experts on all things EV who would love to talk with you. Email Conner Byrnes at conner@yvsc.org to get your questions answered on charger installation, rebates, test drives and more.
Jill Bergman, YVSC Creative Climate Communications Associate | 19 February 2025
