Humboldt Electric Vehicle Association

Serving Electric Vehicle Owners
in Humboldt County, California

May 2018

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How far can I go?
A typical modern converted vehicle has a range of 30 to 60 miles in normal driving conditions. The once produced, but not marketed, General Motors EV1 easily got 100 miles per charge. Ninety percent of all cars in the US travel less than 30 miles a day, so an electric car is the perfect fit for most transportation needs.

What type of batteries are used and how long do they last?
The most available and affordable today are the lead acid, golf cart style batteries which last between 3 to 7 years. Advanced battery technology provides longer life for batteries. Nickel metal hydride batteries, soon to become readily available and more affordable due to hybrid popularity, have a useful life span of over 100,000 miles.

How much does it cost to operate an EV?
Electric Vehicles on average cost two and a half cents per mile, compared to ten to fifteen cents for a gas car at today's pump prices. An electric car including battery replacement every 3-7 years costs about a third as much as a gas car to maintain. There are no tune-ups, oil changes, mufflers, radiators, starters, water pumps or fuel pumps to be repaired or replaced.

Don't EVs just displace the pollution to the power plant?
According to the California Air Resources Board, factoring in all power plant emissions, electric cars pollute 95-99% less than gas cars. A gas car produces 3008 lbs. of emissions per 100,000 miles, whereas an electric car produces 75 lbs. for the same number of miles. Electric vehicles can also be charged easily from solar panels, eliminating virtually all emissions.

Looking to go Electric?

Convert it
Converting a gas car to electric is a great way to go. You are not only taking an older, polluting gas car off of the road, but reusing one that normally might be junked soon. Volkswagen Rabbits, Honda Civics and small pick-ups are some of the vehicles well suited for conversions.

Buy a used EV
There are many reliable used EVs on the market today at one quarter to one half the cost that you could buy a new gas car. This is a great way to go for those who don't have time for a conversion project.