Amped 2021: How State Government Is Supporting More Electric Vehicle Use in Pennsylvania
2021 is on track to be another record year for electric vehicle registrations in Pennsylvania. In this webinar, DEP and PennDOT discuss what state government is doing to support the transition to these zero-emission vehicles. You'll also get a few basics on electric vehicles and charging, and learn about a rebate program and other options that can help Pennsylvania drivers choose electric.
Watch webinar video (MP4)
Powerpoint (PDF)
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Date: Monday, September 27th, 2021
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Host: Deb Klenotic, DEP
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Special Guest Speakers: DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell and PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian
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Speakers: Colton Brown, DEP, and Natasha Fackler, PennDOT
Amped 2020
Driving Electric Vehicles: The Benefits and Basics for Pennsylvania Residents
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PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
Hosts: Colton Brown, DEP, and Ngani Ndimbie, PennDOT
Special Guest Speaker: DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell
Speakers: Electric vehicle experts and fans from DEP, PennDOT, Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation, Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, Duquesne Light Company, PECO Energy Company, ChargePoint, Electrification Coalition, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, ChargEVC, Charge Forward LLC
Driving Electric Vehicles: The Benefits and Basics for Local Governments
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Hosts: Colton Brown, DEP, and Ngani Ndimbie, PennDOT
Speakers: Rebecca Kiernan, City of Pittsburgh; Joanne Tosti-Vasey and Don Holderman, Bellefonte Borough; Joe Green, Borough of Lansdale
Driving Electric Vehicles: The Benefits and Basics for Businesses
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Hosts: Colton Brown, DEP, and Ngani Ndimbie, PennDOT
Speakers: David Landis, EPIC Metals, Rankin, PA; Steven Moelk, IKEA, Conshohocken, PA; Dale Kitchnefsky, OBX Property Management LLC, Tunkhannock, PA
Transitioning to Electric Vehicles: The Benefits and Basics for Fleet Managers
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Hosts: Colton Brown, DEP, and Ngani Ndimbie, PennDOT
Speakers: Taki Darakos, PITT OHIO Company, Pittsburgh; Kevin Sheehy and Matthew Sloan, University of Pittsburgh; Andy Krauss, Borough of Lansdale
Frequently Asked Questions about Driving Electric Vehicles
Here are answers to the questions our webinar speakers and attendees discussed and other common questions about buying, charging, and driving electric vehicles in Pennsylvania.
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Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionYes, electric vehicle prices continue to drop, largely due to improvements in battery technology. Light-duty electric vehicles are expected to reach cost-parity with gasoline vehicles by 2025. Until then, available federal and state incentives help decrease the price gap and make electric vehicles affordable.
- Federal incentives (available for anyone, including individuals, businesses, government, etc.):
- Pennsylvania incentive for individuals:
- Pennsylvania offers rebates for electric vehicle purchases. New electric vehicles are eligible for $750 rebates. Used electric vehicles and new/used plug-in hybrids are eligible for $500 rebates. Please see this webpage for more information.
- Pennsylvania incentives for organizations:
- Driving PA Forward offers a range of incentive programs including rebates for level 2 electric vehicle charging equipment, funding to replace older diesel vehicles, and a competitive grant programs for publicly available DC fast charging stations. Please visit Driving PA Forward for more information.
- The Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant (AFIG) program can fund the incremental cost of alternative fuel fleet vehicle purchases and/or their associated re-fueling equipment. For more information please visit the AFIG webpage.
- Local incentives:
- Check with your local electric utility for possible other incentives.
Using average gasoline and electricity prices in Pennsylvania, as of October 2020, gasoline costs a typical gasoline vehicle owner about 9 cents per mile while electricity costs a typical electric vehicle owner about 3 cents per mile. Put another way, a gasoline vehicle owner spends about $1,080 per year to fuel their car, while an electric vehicle owner spends about $360 per year to charge their car, assuming they drive 12,000 miles per year.
Some level 2 electric vehicle charging stations are free to use, making them even cheaper than charging at home. However, most public charging stations charge a fee that is higher than what you would pay for electricity at home. A typical level 2 charging station will charge 15-20 cents per kWh and a typical DC fast charging station will charge about 40 cents per kWh. Charging at home costs an average of 11 cents per kWh. Most charging occurs at home, or other locations where a vehicle owner parks for long periods of time, so the higher cost of DC fast charging has little impact on the average cost of charging.
No! Electric vehicles and charging equipment have numerous sensors and safety measures. There is no risk of harm to the individual or vehicle by charging during rain, freezing rain, snow, high winds, etc. When purchasing charging equipment for outdoor use, please ensure that it has a NEMA rating of “3” or “4”. NEMA ratings of “1” and “2” indicate the equipment is designed for indoor use only.
The lifespan of an electric vehicle batteries depends on many factors, but the two biggest are the technology used to make the battery and its exposure to high temperatures while charging or driving. Early electric vehicle batteries driven in high temperatures, such as desert locations, had relatively fast battery degradation, and required battery replacements after 75,000 to 150,000 miles. Newer batteries, especially those equipped with active cooling systems, lose battery capacity much slower, and may last 500,000 miles or more. Many new batteries are designed for a second life as battery storage for the electric grid, as they are expected to outlast the body of the vehicle.
If you have any additional questions about electric vehicles, please watch a webinar recording above, or email Colton Brown at
coltbrown@pa.gov. We are happy to answer your questions!
Sponsored by the Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition, with special thanks to DEP, PENNDOT, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation, and Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities.