Does the PUD offer electric vehicle charging incentives? | The PUD wants to partner with its customers as they consider purchasing and operating an EV. Today, the PUD does not offer incentives for cars or charging equipment but is in the process of evaluating alternatives to support customers. Customers can check back for PUD incentives in the future; updates will be posted on our site. |
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What are the different types of Electric Vehicles (EVs)? | “Electric Vehicle” is an umbrella term encompassing all three types of electric cars.
- BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES - 100% electrically powered and run using electric motors.
- Charging: must be plugged in to charge.
- Battery Electric Hybrid Examples: Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, Ford Focus Electric, BMW i3
- PLUG-IN HYBRID - have an electric motor as well as a gas engine. 20-40 mile electric range.
- Charging: must be plugged in to charge.
- Plug-in Hybrid Examples: Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, Honda Accord Plug-in
- STANDARD HYBRID – have an electric motor to assist the gas engine to increase fuel economy.
- Charging: Standard hybrids DO NOT need to be plugged in to charge. By using regenerative breaking, they charge when the car drives.
- Standard Hybrid Examples: Toyota Prius, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, Honda Insight, VW Jetta Hybrid
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How far can EVs drive? | It depends on the vehicle but most can drive over 100 miles between charges, more than covering the average American’s 32-mile roundtrip commute. |
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Will the battery have to be replaced? | EV drivers are unlikely to ever have to replace the battery. Batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and will likely include an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty against performance degradation. |
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Can customers charge with green power? | Yes! The PUD serves customers with 98% carbon-free power. In addition, PUD customers have the option to purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) which support the production of clean energy in the Western US. RECs cost $4.50, and each one certifies that 1,000 kWh of energy generated by a renewable source has been delivered to the electrical grid. |
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Do EVs reduce emissions? | Transportation accounts for nearly a third of America’s carbon pollution. EVs have no tailpipe emissions, and Snohomish PUD customers charge with 98% carbon-free power. In other words, EV drivers directly replace fossil fuels with clean energy sources. |
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Will driving an EV increase my electric bill? | EV charging will increase the customers’ monthly electricity bill. The increase depends on how much the customer drives and how much he/she charges the car.
However, the average customer saves over $1,700 per year by charging with electricity instead of going to the pump. So even though monthly electricity bills will increase, customers save money overall. |
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