EVs, PHEVs worth it to make local trips

TO THE EDITOR:

Regarding “Electric cars cost less than similar gas cars over 5 years,” autonews.com, July 14: As the owner of three different types of powertrains, I am in a position to bring a broad perspective to the cost equation.

Currently, our Kia Niro plug-in hybrid gets the most usage. No need to discuss California gas prices as being a huge contributor to the combustion engine vehicle staying at home for “normal” trips.

I don’t have to deal with the time-consuming inconvenience of remote charging locations: I charge at home. Many people can’t. I also received a federal rebate. Who pays for that? You and I and every other taxpayer pays for the privilege of others receiving this windfall!

I also have the ability to own more than one car. Many people don’t. With the Niro, we never worry about stopping to charge somewhere because when the Niro runs past its 25-mile EV range, it switches into its efficient hybrid mode.

Most people who own full-electrics gasp when I tell them I don’t suffer range anxiety. This from an electric vehicle that, on a good day, will give me 43 miles of driving. Not a mistake: 43 miles. It’s a 2012 i-MiEV — the Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle for the uninitiated. Again, like the PHEV, it’s driven for short trips around the local area and recharged on a regular basis.

JOHN DINKEL, President, John Dinkel & Associates, Irvine, Calif.
The writer works in automotive consulting and communications.