coppertalk

By Bob Weed, CDA Vice President OEM

The recent announcement that Ford Motor Company has begun production of the 2012 Focus Electric has generated renewed buzz about electric vehicles.  The automaker anticipates that the Focus will be the first all-electric vehicle with seating for five to achieve a 100 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) fuel efficiency rating.  Clearly, the electric revolution is here to stay.  As Vice President OEM for the Copper Development Association, I know that vehicle electrification is good for many of the companies involved in the copper industry.  When a car is electrified, it uses two to three times as much copper as a gasoline-powered vehicle.  Copper is also a key element in charging systems.  So, the copper industry benefits, but there’s a lot of evidence that the advantages of electrification extend far beyond our industry.

The Voice of the Consumer

The Ford Focus Electric was on display at the 2011 Business of Plugging in Conference in October and is currently in production.

The driving public is enjoying an increasing number of all-electric options.  Numerous manufacturers, including ­­­­­­AMP, Nissan, Smart and Volkswagen, are expected to unveil electric concept and production cars during January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  These introductions are always big attention-getters, which is what the show is all about.  Automotive OEMs are in the business of selling vehicles, and if electric cars weren’t appealing to consumers, there would be no reason for manufacturers to make them.  All you have to do is pick up the automotive section of your local newspaper and you’re bound to find articles about new electric cars.  This is strong evidence that public interest is driving the electric phenomenon.  Moreover, with more automakers providing electric alternatives, consumers who have favorite manufacturers can go electric while remaining loyal to their favorite brands.

Charging Forward

Prospective electric vehicle owners are interested in alternative transportation that frees them from the gas pump.  New charging stations installed in EV owner garages give consumers a leg up in convenience.  At October’s Business of Plugging In Conference, hosted by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), representatives from DTE Energy and Consumers Energy said that early adopters could obtain assistance paying for the cost and installation of charging stations at home, which will further spur the appeal of going electric.

The Ford Focus Electric Home Charging Station

Ford says the Focus Electric will be able to charge in three to four hours instead of the usual eight, thanks to their new charging technology, developed by Leviton and sold at Ford dealerships and Best Buy.  Numerous other companies are also engaged in the production of home chargers, including General Electric, Siemens and Schneider Electric.   Amazon.com and Home Depot are two more national retailers selling home charging systems.

Public charging stations are springing up, as well, at retailers like IKEA, Kohl’s, numerous malls, universities, airports and other locations.  The Department of Energy has a charging station locator on their Web site to help people plan routes that will enable them to charge on the road.  All of this shows that the electric evolution is growing stronger and, soon, electric vehicles will be a regular part of our daily lives.

Mileage Benefits

Comedian Jay Leno, famous for his love of automobiles, told the New York Times that he has driven his Chevy Volt to the studio every day for a year, primarily using the vehicle’s electric mode,  and has used only a half-tank of gas in that time.  With recent headaches over gas prices, mileage is likely to be the initial attraction to electric vehicles for average consumers as well.

In the quest for optimum mileage, it could be argued that there are diesel models available delivering mileage similar to some electrics.  But even with good fuel economy, diesel engines emit carbon monoxide, very small particles and other pollutants into the environment.  When you add the benefits of cleaner air to good fuel economy, electric vehicles win every time, which leads to the next big benefit of electrification – the environment.

Environmental Impact

The United States Department of Energy says that every gallon of gasoline burned creates 20 pounds of CO₂.  Since all-electric vehicles produce zero emissions, they present exciting possibilities for improvement of the global environment.  I’ve heard it said that utility companies supplying electricity are also contributing to the pollution problem, but those companies are very heavily regulated with strict EPA pollution control mechanisms in place.  In fact, the EPA estimates that these controls may save $59 billion to $140 billion in annual health costs, preventing 17,000 premature deaths a year by 2016.

Everyone who drives has seen vehicles next to them on the highway with black smoke pouring out because the cars are not well maintained.  Electric cars completely eliminate that problem. But the environmental benefits go beyond the vehicles themselves.  Ford’s Web site notes that the manufacturer’s Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan has one of the largest solar power generation systems in the state.  It also features 10 electric vehicle charging stations to charge the electric switcher trucks that transport parts – saving approximately $160,000 per year and 86,000 gallons of gasoline annually.

More Evidence of Consumer Satisfaction with Electrics

Recently, when Chevrolet offered to lend Volt owners the use of gas automobiles while the company managed possible issues with Volt batteries, the automaker reported that very few Volt owners were willing to part with their new cars.  This is a strong indicator that vehicle electrification is meeting needs and generating consumer loyalty in unprecedented ways.

The Copper Development Association (CDA) is in full support of gasoline-free, emissions-free driving.  The reduction in pollution as well as the dependence on external petroleum sources are exciting benefits for everyone.  Please visit the CDA Web site for more articles on vehicle electrification, and contact me at rweed@cda.copper.org for additional information about copper and its many automotive uses.