Globally the temperature of the earth is increasing, these rising temperatures have been mainly caused by the emissions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Changes need to be made both on a government and individual level to hinder the effects of climate change. More than 30% of carbon emissions come from transportation via, car, bus, and airplane one of the best ways that an individual can combat this is to purchase an electric car (EPA, 2021). The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency has out a free estimation survey, where one can put in the type of electric car and it will give you the cost and benefits of purchasing the car. When looking at an average 30,000 dollar electric car in Central New York, within the first year one would save $966 this was found by calculating the cost of gasoline ($1,243) that you would save minus the increase in your electric bill which would be around $277 to charge your car. In New York, you also get a minimum of 8,500 dollars in incentives which includes a $7,500 Plug-in vehicle federal tax credit plus a $1,000 with the Drive Clean Rebate. When looking at the cost and benefits in the future, within the first 5 years it shows that an electric car would save up to $7,867 and you would break even with the cost of the car within two years. Along with having long-term financial benefits owning an electric car reduces an individual carbon footprint by 58% per year which is equivalent to 5,977 lb of CO2. This survey is a great day to find a car that fits your budget and lifestyle while also helping you lower your carbon footprint. Cost benefits analysts are an important factor when it comes to the effectiveness of environmental action.
Survey: https://nyserda.wattplan.com/ev/
Work Cited:
EPA (2021) Carbon Pollution from Transportation
https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/carbon-pollution-transportation
NYSERDA (n.d) Watt Plan, Access on 4/3
https://nyserda.wattplan.com/ev/Results
This is very interesting because it’s cool to think about cars in the future. I can’t wait to see levitating cars.
As someone who is hoping to purchase a car soon, I think it is very important to take into consideration how environmental sustainable your car is and how you can especially lower your carbon footprint. It makes me think though that a lot of people don’t really think of the benefits ahead they want to see that they are saving money/getting benefited right in that instinct financially.
I had never looked into the economics of an electric car versus a gas car. I did not know that an electric car can pay back its expenses so soon, and therefore end up saving you so much money. In think I might need an electric car.
I am always interested when new electric car initiatives are presented to the American public. The exhaust from a variety of gas powered vehicles into our atmosphere is definitely at an interesting level time-wise. I hope that in our life-time electric cars are made affordable and that the choice will be close between buying a cheap/low end electric car, or an older model gas car for families on a budget. The used car market has always amazed me in our country to the point where I have doubts on how many American families will be willing to switch to electric cars.
This post really made me think. I have long thought that this investment into an electric car is not worth it. Sure it will reduce my own carbon footprint, but I always thought that it would hurt my pockets more than it would help the environment. However after reading this my mind is starting to change. When you said that you would break even on your investment in two years that was very very convincing and I also very much so enjoyed reading this.