Myth Busting

Are electric vehicles safe? Will my battery catch on fire?
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) must comply with the same federal safety standards as conventional cars and trucks. Plus, EVs have to meet additional requirements such as limiting chemical spillage, securing batteries during a crash, and isolating the passengers from the high-voltage system.
Are electric vehicles cleaner, or are they just “coal cars”?
EVs have zero tailpipe emissions. However, there is an environmental footprint associated with production of the car, battery and the electricity generation required to power the engine. That footprint is expected to be significantly less than conventional vehicles— around a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Do electric vehicles lack the power of my gas-powered ride?
No! Just ask the electric vehicle drag racing groups. They test these vehicles on the race track. The current record 1/4 mile drag race for EVs is about 8.8 seconds.
Is Colorado a poor setting for electric vehicles?
The EVs available in Colorado are designed to perform in the conditions present in Colorado. Batteries are usually limited by the power electronics, not the temperature. It is true that at lower temperatures the battery will yield a slightly lower maximum power output and there will be slightly less energy available from a fully charged battery. However, the decrease in power will not likely be noticeable to many drivers since PEV batteries can generally accommodate much higher power demands than the motor needs.
I can’t afford an electric vehicle, won’t my utility bill go through the roof?
EVs aren’t as expensive as you may think. You’ll save on gas without paying a lot more for electricity. Electricity, as a transportation fuel, is 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of fuel for an internal combustion vehicle. As for the impacts to your utility bill, you can expect approximately a 1/3 increase over the amount you currently pay if you were to fully charge the battery from empty every night. Costs may vary according to the size of the home, type of car, distance travelled and other variables.

Click here to learn about rebates available from the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Don’t electric vehicles have minimal range? I’m not sure they will suit my lifestyle.
There are EVs out there for a variety of transportation needs. More than 65% of commuters in the United States drive less than 30 miles round trip for work. For day-to-day travel, both EVs and PHEVs would fit this driving pattern. Find out more at Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Data Center or our “Get Set” section.
Electric Vehicles have failed before. What’s different this time?
Previous models of EVs were based on significantly different technology. In the new market, EVs are substantially less complicated than gas-powered vehicles and very reliable. There are no oil changes or tune ups. Over 20 models are now available in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. It’s the most EVs on the market in history.
Where can I get an electric vehicle in Colorado?
Every Chevrolet dealership in Colorado offers the Chevy Volt for sale to consumers. The Nissan Leaf is also available at most Nissan dealderships. Take a look at this map to find a dealership that sells EVs near you.
Are there enough natural resources to supply battery materials for EVs?

The great thing about lithium is that the production methods require little human intervention. There is also a static range of lithium reserves in excess of 500 years globally. Many of the world’s known lithium resources are in Chile—a long time economic partner of the U.S. In addition, other reserves can be found in Bolivia and China, which may be harder to obtain. There is also exploration of lithium resources in Nevada, which would allow for domestic production of lithium if the projects are successful.

Unlike oil and coal which is gone forever once it’s burned, lithium and other metals extracted for use in batteries can be recycled into new batteries over and over again as the batteries wear out.  In fact, car batteries are already the most recycled product in the U.S. having a 98 percent to 99 percent recycling rate.

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