 "Consumers can see gasoline prices posted at the corner gas station,
but are left in the dark on the cost of fueling an electric vehicle.
The eGallon will bring greater transparency to vehicle operating
costs and help drivers figure out how much they might save on fuel
by choosing an electric vehicle. It also shows the low and steady
price of fueling with electricity," said Energy Secretary Ernest
Moniz. "Not only can electric vehicles save consumers on fuel and
reduce our dependence on oil, they also represent an opportunity for
America to lead in a growing, global manufacturing industry."On
Energy.gov/eGallon, consumers can see the latest eGallon price
for their state and compare it with the price of gasoline. Over
time, consumers will notice that the eGallon price will be far more
stable and predictable than gasoline prices. That's because the
eGallon price depends on electricity prices, which are very stable.
Gasoline prices depend on the global oil market, which can be very
unstable, and are driven by unpredictable international events.
The eGallon provides a metric that is easily comparable to the
traditional gallon of unleaded fuel. That comparison is made by
calculating how much it would cost to drive an electric vehicle the
same distance as a similar conventional vehicle could travel on a
gallon of gasoline. The eGallon price varies from state to state
based on the price of electricity.
[to top of second column] |
 In just the last couple of years, significant cost reductions and
improvements in vehicle performance have had a dramatic effect on
the U.S. automotive market. Sales of plug-in electric vehicles,
known as PEVs, tripled in the U.S. in 2012, with more than 50,000
cars sold. Sales are growing significantly again in 2013. Last year,
the Chevy Volt PEV topped Consumer Reports' annual
owner-satisfaction survey for the second straight year, while the
Tesla Model S was named the 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Almost
60 percent of the vehicle models sold in the U.S. last year were
outsold by the Chevy Volt, putting it squarely in the mainstream of
the U.S. automobile market.
[Text from
news release received
from the U.S. Department of Energy]
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