Utah's National Park Electric Corridor.

time2roll wrote:

pnichols wrote:
I wonder how long it will be before the Free Enterprize System prices electricity from EV recharging stations such that it costs about as much (or more, years into the future) per mile - based on some average and ever-changing pricing formula - to drive them as an equivalent size gasoline or diesel powered vehicle?

I can't imagine free or dirt cheap EV "refueling" lasting too long into the future. Cheap refueling electricity is probably viewed as a "loss leader product" right now to get us into the EV buying mood.

With a few (6 or 10) L2 stations for free most businesses would not even notice a blip in the total electric bill. Although it would most likely bring in more sales.

Actually by the time the commercial equipment is installed to monitor and collect a fee the cost is probably higher than giving out the electric for free with an open un-metered connection.

Yep. It's already a proven loss leader marketing tool. EV drivers will shop or eat at restaurants where they can hook up and charge for free. It's the coupon cutting crowd that it works for. Ever clip a two for one entree coupon for a restaurant? But it's cheaper for the restaurant to give away a buck worth of power than making a 5 dollar coupon. Lots of people live in Condos where there is no facility to charge an EV. These folks will frequent malls, shopping areas and restaurants where they can charge while going about their daily routine. We do ninety percent of our charging at home but admit that we tend to gravitate to establishments that have charging infrastructure.

Re-rising electricity costs. Maybe. But utility companies also have to compete with private homeowners and business owners capability to make their own power. Solar power and storage products like the Tesla wall will keep the Utility companies "honest". If utility companies charge stupid rates people will just go off grid...or at least those who can depending where they live etc. The average EV usage in North America uses about the equivalent of a residential water heater for a family of 4 so it doesn't take a ton of solar and storage to deal with the energy needs of an EV. I think the next ten years will see a fair amount of growth in home storage. Should be interesting.