10 Reasons For Business Owners To Get Excited About Electric Vehicles (EVs)
How great would it be if everyone with a vehicle could charge or “refuel” on site while at work , while running errands, or while exploring parks, and at a fraction of the cost of what we pay at the pump? Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common as auto manufacturers swap out gas engines for electric motors, and not a moment too soon as gas prices hover around $5 per gallon. Arizonans that rely on vehicles for their livelihoods and their businesses are feeling the strain on their budgets.
Local First Arizona and The City of Tempe are partnering to advance sustainability initiatives with input from business owners and residents. The transition to EVs and electrification of the grid can bring economic, environmental, and social benefits to businesses, residents, and the community. This work supports Tempe’s Climate Action Plan and gets the city closer to becoming carbon neutral by 2050; but what does this mean for Arizona’s local businesses and nonprofits?
Here are 10 reasons for business owners in Arizona to get excited about EVs and EV charging stations:
1. The Fuel Cost Savings
EVs do not use gasoline! The savings are significant for local business owners with company vehicles or fleets. An EV uses about 50 cents of electricity to cover the same number of miles a gas burning car gets from one gallon of gas - currently selling for $4.59/gallon in Arizona as of 07/28/22, according to AAA.
2 . Reduced Maintenance + Downtime
Internal combustion engines in vehicles are complex and have many moving parts. Ongoing maintenance costs for things like oil changes, timing belts, transmission fluid, and spark plugs do not apply to EVs, cutting maintenance and repair costs by 50% over the lifetime of the vehicle. EV motors are simple, high-performance machines that keep vehicles on the road for longer.
3. Recharge Anywhere!
Current plug-in charging stations are emerging in Arizona at stores, libraries, and other places where EV drivers already spend time. Charging station maps like PlugShare show people where they can go for a top up. A transition away from fossil fuels to electrification means an opportunity to change the paradigm of where our energy comes from. Charging stations can exist anywhere there is access to electricity - meaning not being tied to visiting a gas-station style recharging station.
4. EVs are becoming more affordable
With a 13% drop in the price of EVs in the last 12 months, EVs are an increasingly viable and cost-efficient option for small business owners. Owners can also take advantage of utility and government incentives, tax benefits, and $15/year registration costs compared to $300-$700 for gas and diesel vehicles.. What’s more, the reduced emissions from EVs will mean improved air quality and less strain on Arizona’s resources - water included.
5. Advancements in battery technology are significant
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that batteries in new EVs are designed to last for the expected lifetime of the vehicle. Most manufacturers offer up to 100,000-mile battery warranties. If you need a replacement, plans for recycling EV batteries are being put into place to reduce costs and minimize impacts from extracting materials.
6. Electrification helps Arizona gain energy independence
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Arizona is largely dependent on other states to meet its transportation energy needs. That’s because Arizona does not produce, refine, or process petroleum-based fuels, so money associated with purchasing those fuels leaks out of the state. Motor gasoline is supplied by pipeline from Southern California and Texas. Natural gas is piped in from New Mexico and Texas. Arizona’s economy would benefit from a transition away from fossil fuels while restoring air quality back to levels Arizona was once famous for.
7. Generate value from on-site charging stations
Some local businesses have no need for a company vehicle, but they can participate in helping to make EV charging more available and put their own business on the map. Having a charging station on site encourages people to visit businesses and public spaces for longer, all while charging their battery. Businesses can also choose to install advanced level 2 and 3 chargers that charge the customer for use while charging their EV’s batteries quickly.
8. Align with the values of your stakeholders
More people want to buy from, work for, and invest in businesses that are conscious of the impact of their businesses operations on the environment and the community. Employees will appreciate being able to charge while at work, and customers will spend more time at your place of business.
9. There’s help available to install charging stations and adopt EVs
Local First Arizona now offers technical guidance and support to help Arizona businesses tap into available resources and navigate the installation process, including a toolkit of best practices known as the Charge Ahead Challenge. Hotel Congress in Tucson received incentives and rebates from the State of Arizona and Tucson Electric Power to subsidize the cost of creating this first high powered EV charging hub in Arizona using the Charge Ahead Challenge toolkit.
10. Zero Emissions and Carbon Reduction Will Save Lives
EVs eliminate harmful tailpipe pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, ozone, NOx, and volatile organic compounds that combustion engines emit as they operate. In Tempe, Transportation was responsible for 45% of total greenhouse gas emissions Tempe in 2020. The average EV today produces less than half the emissions of the average comparable gasoline car, even when impacts from battery manufacturing is factored in. Without intervention, urban temperatures and instances of heat and pollution-related illness will continue to rise while Tempe’s residents and businesses are saddled with higher energy bills.
The impacts of climate change and air pollution have become real to consumers and they are taking action toward living and buying sustainably, rewarding companies whose values align with theirs. Owning an EV or adding charging stations demonstrates to employees, customers, and residents in the community that you are doing your part in reducing emissions. Actions like these attract people to the area while charging their vehicles. More than that, these charging hubs will demonstrate the positive impact on our local communities when businesses and organizations team up to address climate change.
Please email Nick Shivka - nick@localfirstaz.com about EV and electrification solutions for your business or nonprofit.
