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Cleco Supports EV Infrastructure through EEI National Electric Highway Coalition

EV imageCleco is a member of the National Electric Highway Coalition, a collaboration among EEI and electric companies that are committed to providing electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure that will allow the public to drive EVs with confidence along major U.S. travel corridors by the end of 2023. 

 

As a member of the Coalition and in support of Cleco’s Project Energizer, Cleco is pledging to support EVs and its infrastructure with the goal of bringing business and industry to our service territory, as well as supporting energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions nationwide. 

 

To date, EEI’s member companies have invested more than $3.4 billion in customer programs and projects to deploy charging infrastructure and to accelerate electric transportation. There are more than 50 models (and counting) of EVs on the market today with over two million EVs on U.S. roads. By 2030, experts predict there to be nearly 22 million EVs on U.S. roads. EEI estimates that we will need more than 100,000 EV fast charging ports to support this projected growth. 

 

As such, Cleco, along with other electric utilities, have an opportunity and responsibility to prepare for the increase in our customers’ use of EVs. To learn more, visit https://www.eei.org/en/issues-and-policy/national-electric-highway-coalition.

 

EV FAQs

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (battery and gas powered) are affordable, and technology has advanced to increase the battery life, making owning and driving an electric car more of a reality.

  • Types of Electric Vehicles (EV)

    BEV, PHEV, what does it all mean?

    • BEV or EV (Battery Electric Vehicle) all-electric vehicle that operate on 100 percent battery; charged by plugging into grid
    • PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric) uses energy from plugging into grid; contains combustion engine that kicks in when battery power runs out.
    • Learn more at afdc.energy.gov.

  • Advantages

    An electric vehicle sounds smart, but you're probably wondering, "What do they have to offer?"

    • Fuel economy: PHEVs and EVs can reduce fuel costs dramatically because of high efficiency of electric motors
    • Performance: high torque, immediate power, quiet and smooth ride
    • Charge anywhere: plug and recharge your vehicle at home or at a charging station (work, store, highways)
    • Clean: BEVs have no tailpipe emissions, PHEVs benefit from much lower tailpipe emissions
    • Reduced maintenance costs for BEVs: no oil changes, no air/fuel filters, no exhaust system, no muffler or catalytic converter
    • Learn more at energy.gov.

  • Incentives

    Federal and state incentives make owning an EV more of a reality.

    • The federal government offers up to $7,500 in income tax credits.  
    • Louisiana residents can receive a tax credit of 10 percent of the vehicle cost of up to $2,500.  
    • Louisiana residents can receive a tax credit of 30 percent of the EV charging equipment up to $1,000.  

  • Cost Comparison - EV vs. a combustion engine

    What is e-Gallon?
    It is the cost of fueling a vehicle with electricity compared to a similar vehicle that runs on gasoline.

    Did you know?
    On average, it costs about half as much to drive an electric vehicle.

    What is the cost comparison for an electric vehicle vs. a traditional combustion engine vehicle?
    Assuming the average person drives 43 miles each day in Louisiana, the average cost of gasoline is $1.88 per gallon and the average cost of eGallon is $0.84.

    • The daily cost to refuel a gas-powered vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon is $2.69
    • The daily cost to recharge an electric vehicle is $1.20

    In fact, for the cost benefit of electric cars to fall below the traditional gas-powered vehicle, gas prices would need to drop to $0.99 per gallon and electricity prices would need to almost double to $0.22 per kilowatt-hour.

    Want more information?  
    Visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center.

  • Plug-in Hybrid & EV models to choose from

  • Charging systems for the EV battery

    So now you have your electric vehicle, how do you give it life?

    There are three different levels of charging systems: Level 1, Level 2 and DC Fast Charging (Level 3). Each level provides a different level of charging power for your electric vehicle. To learn more, click here.

    Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
    120 volts-standard household 240 volts-standard system for household dryer 400-600 volts 
    User power cord provided with the electric vehicle Requires installation by an electrician  Delivers DC energy by bypassing on-board charger 
    Slow charge: 8-14 hours for full charge Fast charge: 4-8 hours for full charge  Fully charged in about 30 minutes 

     

  • Finding a public EV charging system

    Electric vehicles must have a charging station to recharge its battery pack. Many companies offer public-charging stations, either free or for a low-rate charge, to employees or customers. Needing to charge away from home? Look no further than a downloadable mobile map application! Two mobile options are: