My name is Caitlin Farkas and I am working with Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) as a Sustainable Transportation Intern. YVSC supports the Yampa Valley, as well as Steamboat Springs’ electric vehicle (EV) readiness plan. As part of an organization working to support adoption of electric vehicles in the region, I have been working on a collaborative initiative between YVSC and Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation to create an electric vehicle transition plan for resort operations. As we look towards the future in the face of climate change, incorporating electric vehicles in place of internal combustion engines will be incredibly important to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.
As of October 7, 2024, Routt County has 369 battery electric vehicles and 199 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles registered. Registrations are up from just 97 registered electric vehicles in February 2021. While both Routt County, the state of Colorado, and the United States as a whole have seen a rise in electric vehicle usage, common misconceptions about EVs continue to permeate discussions about their effectiveness and usage.
A group poses for a photo in front of an Optimal EV shuttle during an EV Ride & Drive event Nov. 14, 2024.
A primary topic of discussion surrounds batteries. Given the harsh winter conditions present, people share concerns about battery range, or vehicle efficiency in winter months. A 2020 survey conducted by the City of Steamboat Springs received over 200 responses. In response to the concerns of winter weather, the general consensus was, “nearly all responders stated that they use their EV year-round, and the majority indicated they do not experience problems operating EVs in extreme weather conditions, such as snow.”
Energy.gov notes that similar to electric vehicles, typical internal combustion engine vehicles also face their share of challenges in cold weather. They offer some mitigation strategies to implement in order to minimize battery range shortage due to cold weather. Some options include: using indoor or covered charging and parking if possible, protecting outdoor charging infrastructure from freezing through use of a magnetic EV charging inlet connector cover or bag, and utilizing the “preconditioning” feature on an EV, or warming up the vehicle prior to usage.
To speak with a technical expert from YVSC on EV functionality, rebates and tax incentives, and charger installation, email paul@yvsc.org.
Electric vehicles maintain a pertinent place in our region, despite cold weather conditions. Understanding their ability to operate, as well as adjusting habits to ensure their efficiency, are all ways that individuals are able to successfully alleviate cold weather concerns with EVs.
As we continue to work on a project to implement and increase EV options at Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, we hope to advance emissions reduction goals. This project has the potential to both reduce mountain operation emissions, as well as advance usage of electric vehicles.
To learn more about other common EV myths, check out this article from the Environmental Protection Agency. To speak with a technical expert from YVSC on EV functionality, rebates and tax incentives, and charger installation, email paul@yvsc.org.
Caitlin Farkas | 17 November 2024
