National Drive Electric Week runs from September 25-October 3 this year. Green Beverly is celebrating by co-hosting an event at the Beverly Middle School (September 25, 10-3) where attendees can check out different models of electric vehicles (EVs), test drive some models provided by local dealers, and ride on Beverly’s electric school bus. If you’re a little surprised by what seems like a sudden explosion in availability of EVs, or if this is all news to you, some background might help.

A Brief History of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicle technology actually dates back to the late 1800s, but was kept from coming to the forefront of the industry by the expansion of huge highway systems and cheap fossil fuel. The release of the hybrid Toyota Prius in 1997 paved the way for an EV revival after the new millennium. Powered by a combination of industry-standard fuel combustion paired with an electric motor, it was released to instant acclaim and today remains the best-selling hybrid vehicle in the world. During the time the Prius was enjoying its place at the top, competitors were busy releasing their own versions – and Tesla Motors, founded in 2003, steadily built up its manufacturing capability to capitalize on the growing interest in all-electric options.

After 2010, hybrid technology began to lean more heavily on the battery of the car. Hybrids slowly changed from gasoline vehicles that could lower gas usage with electricity to battery-powered vehicles that could take longer journeys by occasionally using gas. New vehicles both foreign and domestic hit the market, offering fully electric options just in time for hundreds of thousands of public and private charging stations to be installed across the country.

The modern electric vehicle landscape is wonderfully diverse, with more than fifty varieties of hybridized and fully electric cars. Battery technology has also improved, increasing performance and longevity while driving down costs. With gas costs on the rise and newer, more affordable electric options available, there’s never been a better time to invest in a more ecologically-friendly ride.

Charging Stations Local and Abroad

All electric vehicles are capable of simply socketing into a wall plug. This is known as Level 1 charging, the slowest rate of recharge. For faster charging, there is a wide variety of 240 volt (Level 2) chargers on the market that can reduce charging time to just a few hours. Most if not all public charging stations are also Level 2.

Beverly is currently home to sixteen charging stations. The City maintains a list here of the locations of Level 2 charge points; as of this posting you can find these fast-charging stations at the following locations:

9 Washington Street parking lot
10 Pond Street parking lot
11 Pond Street parking lot
Beverly High School
Ayers-Ryal Side Elementary School

Massachusetts has just over 1,900 charging stations, so the concern over availability of refueling on in-state trips is negligible. In the Northeast, the densest concentration of publicly available stations can be found in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. In Maine and Rhode Island, it may be best to plan your route in advance to include chargers.

LEARN MORE

If you have any questions about EVs – the technology, local purchasing options, what real ownership and maintenance costs look like from local owners – connect with Green Beverly at one of our events or ask our experts here.

AUTHORS:

Kyle Kreisher
Margaret Collins

REFERENCES

https://chargehub.com/en/countries/united-states/massachusetts/beverly.html

https://www.gearbrain.com/home-electric-car-charging-guide-2638678555.html

The New York Times, When Old Things Turn Into New Again

Intro to Electric Vehicles

A Brief History of Electric Vehicles

Charging Stations Local and Abroad

LEARN MORE

Composting in Beverly

Sustainable School Lunches