最近, Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) celebrated the installation of two electric vehicle direct current (EV DC) fast chargers at GVEA’s Fairbanks campus.
GVEA’s EV DC fast chargers are the northernmost fast chargers in the United States, and the first installed in Fairbanks. We want to share some details about this emerging technology:
Why is GVEA installing EV chargers?
- Widespread adoption of EVs is one-step forward in GVEA’s efforts to lower carbon emissions and improve Interior air quality through PM2.5 减少.
- 有趣的是, 50年前, GVEA带来了第一辆电动汽车, 1971年的AMC大黄蜂, to the Interior for testing.
Are EV’s beneficial to GVEA membership as a whole?
- A vehicle powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels creates fewer emissions.
- EV’s create more demand for electricity, which helps spread the fixed costs of our utility across greater sales, creating the potential for lower electric rates for all members.
Are GVEA’s chargers open to the public?
- 是的, the chargers are open for public use and the status of the chargers can be checked at: www.plugshare.com/location/345503
- To use the stations, users register at www.弗洛.com and once registered, can pay either with the FLO app or a credit card. All 付款s are processed by FLO; GVEA is not involved with the payment process.
How much does it cost to use GVEA’s EV DC fast chargers?
- Currently 20 cents per minute which is comparable to GVEA’s general service rate.
- The cost for charging an EV using GVEA’s fast chargers is approximately 40% less, measured on a per miles basis, than the fuel cost for internal combustion vehicles.
How long does it take to charge at these chargers?
- Most EVs will come to GVEA looking to top off their charge (50% or less) and will need about 20-40 minutes to fully charge.
电动汽车能跑多远?
- The travel range for an EV varies dramatically depending on the particular vehicle model and weather conditions. The winter travel range for all EV’s is typically much less compared to summer ranges.
- The current longest range for commercially available EVs is 397 miles (Mercedes EQS 450+). However, the average range in Alaska is 166 miles.
Are there other EV charging stations in the Interior?
- 是的. 该网站 www.plugshare.com is a good resource for details on charging locations and capacity.
- GVEA also provided a grant to establish EV charger facilities in Cantwell to further support our carbon 减少 efforts. The status of these chargers can be checked at: www.plugshare.com/location/330268
What are the next steps for GVEA?
- Continued involvement in the Railbelt EV working group.
- 定稿并归档, with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, GVEA’s EV rate for DC fast-charging stations consistent with a methodology developed by the Railbelt Utilities.
- Focus on facilitating installation of additional chargers in the Interior.
电动汽车能在阿拉斯加运行吗?
- 是的 – depending on the make and model of the EV and the severity of winter weather conditions. Electric vehicles are still an evolving technology and as the EV market continues to expand and adapt to consumer demands it is very likely that we will see improvements in cold weather efficiencies.
电动汽车适合我吗?
- Every situation is different, and each person should evaluate EVs based on their individual needs, 风险承受能力, economics and personal priorities when making the decision whether or not to purchase an EV. Considerations should include, 在其他问题中, 运营成本, the range (summer and winter) of the EV, 环境效益, and your individual 风险承受能力 with adopting new technology.
Is there enough electricity generated in the Interior to power EVs?
- 是的. GVEA’s nine generation sources (using oil, 煤炭, 天然气, 风, solar and hydro) can generate 381.5兆瓦的电力. The system peak record of 223 megawatts was set in December 2007.
- GVEA’s generation costs are mostly fixed, the only additional cost for generating more electricity is fuel. In most instances, generating a larger load of electricity is more efficient.
If EVs are adopted in Interior Alaska, will there need to be upgrades to infrastructure?
- No. GVEA’s infrastructure can handle the additional load. If all light duty vehicles in the Interior were EVs that charged at home, the additional load would raise the average residential consumption from 608 kWh/month to about 745 kWh/month, approximately equal to the 754 kWh/month that was used in 1999. The 减少 in residential consumption from 754 kWh/month in 1999 to the current 608 kWh/month is due to improvements in energy efficiency, including more efficient lighting and appliances.