Jill Avery-Stoss, Chief Operating Officer at The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
An electric 2023 Cooper SE hardtop is charged outside a Mini dealership Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
AP Photo | David Zalubowski
For better or worse, electric vehicle use is on the rise.
That is why The Institute’s Energy Task Force is studying their potential impact in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“Our most recent report provides an overview of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, including costs associated with different types of chargers and stations,” said Jill Avery-Stoss, Chief Operating Officer at The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development. “We also explored policies related to EV use, and we plan to take a deeper dive into the economic and environmental effects of EV use.”
Avery-Stoss said the trend toward EVs presents some challenges. For instance, experts must determine how to integrate them into standard power systems.
• They must learn how to manufacture EV batteries in a more sustainable manner.
• They must also decide how to ethically source and dispose of EV materials.
“Cost is also a challenge surrounding the installation of EV charging infrastructure,” added Avery-Stoss. “These costs vary depending on factors such as geographic location, specific site location, and required trenching and electrical upgrades needed. Additionally, compliance, permitting, and inspections are required to ensure that equipment and installation follows ADA and other guidelines.”
Other major costs associated with EV infrastructure involve connection of EV charging stations to the internet and joint networks. Non-networked sites do not have the same benefits as networked sites, but the costs of non-networked charging stations’ hardware have been falling. Avery-Stoss said they can still provide basic charging options without the advanced monitoring or payment features available with networked chargers.
“Range anxiety is a challenge as well,” Avery-Stoss said. “This term describes the average person’s worry about running out of range on a charge, perhaps because there is not an electric charging station or proper EV infrastructure readily available in their area or along the routes they usually drive. This anxiety tends to deter people from purchasing EVs.”
Goals have been set at the state and national levels to help address these and other issues. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) suggests that EVs should comprise half of all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030.
Within that same timeline, a network of half a million chargers should be built across the country, and vehicles will be required to maintain at least 80% of electric range for 10 years or 150,000 miles.
Furthermore, 15 states (including Pennsylvania) and the District of Columbia have targeted all new commercial HDVs (Heavy-Duty Vehicles) to become ZEVs (Zero Emission Vehicles) by 2050, with an interim goal of 30% of all HDVs being ZEVs by 2030.
“It is possible to encourage the use of EVs by lowering costs and expanding the needed infrastructure,” stated Avery-Stoss. “In Pennsylvania, there are 31 policies or programs connected to the adoption of EVs — 14 state incentives, 11 laws and regulations, and six utility/private incentives.”
In addition to federal funding available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) allows tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles.
“Demand for charging stations is likely to grow as people take advantage of these incentives,” Avery-Stoss said.
The IRA also allows tax credits for 30% of the cost of a charging station (up to $100,000).
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
