Straight Answers to Smart Questions
You’re thinking of investing in the future by doing something
you’ve probably done before - exploring the cutting edge of technology. This time,
you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle. It’s daring. It sounds right.
And, in a lot of ways, it seems to make sense. But there are a lot of unknowns.
At Edison EV, we’ve made a huge commitment to make your dream
of a green future come true. We have worked with government agencies, cities, schools,
businesses, utility companies, and technology and automotive manufacturers. We’ve
become experts in this field, and now we have the answers to many of your questions. Here
are a few of them, just to get you started. Please call us if you want to know more.
CARS ...
Q: Electric vehicles sound like such a great idea ... but are they for real?
A: As real as seven major auto manufacturers can make them. GM’s EV1, launched
in December 1996 ... followed by the Chevrolet S-10 Electric Pickup and the all-new Honda
EV PLUS by mid-1997. Then the Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4-EV by fall of 1997 and Nissan in
1998.
Q: If I buy an EV, how would I keep it charged?
A: Making it easy for you to keep your personal EV charged is where Edison EV comes
in. As the premier supplier of inductive and conductive EV charging equipment, we can help
you by installing a charging system in your home.
We’re also working diligently to develop the public charging
infrastructure you need. In other words, creating a place for you to recharge your EV when
you’re out on the road, at work, at the mall, in a theater, or anywhere else you
might take your EV.
Q: Will there be enough public charging stations for EVs?
Startup costs in this industry are reasonable. It is possible to start a vending machine route for less than a few thousand dollars. The work of a Vending machines business operator can be divided into two basic areas. As a vending machine business owner you can choose to work by yourself, with a partner or hire teams to work for you
A: We’re working every day with organizations that are making this vision a
reality. It’s the "chicken and egg" dilemma ... in the first few years,
there won’t be a charger on every corner, but as more and more businesses join the EV
bandwagon - supplying chargers at malls and workplaces and movie theaters - more and more
smart folks like you will buy electric vehicles. By fall of 1997 there will be over 300
charging stations up and operational in Southern California and Arizonia.
CHARGING TECHNOLOGY ...
Q: Is there such a thing as "standard equipment" for charging?
A: As EVs move into the marketplace, there are two types of electric vehicle
support equipment:
- Inductive chargers work like your electric toothbrush: there is never a metal-to-metal
contact in the connection. Edison EV is a distributor of the Delco Magne ChargeTM inductive system that GM uses for its
vehicles. Nissan plans to use inductive technology, as well.
- Conductive chargers work like your hair dryer. They’re the more traditional plug
and outlet technology. Ford, Honda and Toyota will use conductive technology for their
initial demonstration vehicles between 1997 and 1999.
Q: How do I purchase the right charging system?
A: The charging system is literally an extension of the electric vehicle. When you
purchase or lease an electric vehicle, the salesperson will instruct you on whether you
should use an inductive or conductive system to charge your EV.
Q: How long does it take to charge an EV?
A: For a completely discharged vehicle, it can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours,
depending on the type of vehicle. But most owners who use public charging to "top
off" their vehicles will charge for 1 to 2 hours.
Q: What is "fast-charging" and when will it be available?
A: High-powered chargers (25kW or higher) can deliver about a 50% charge in 20
minutes or less. These chargers aren’t commercially available yet, and they cost a
lot. But as technology catches up to demand, fast-chargers will probably be available at
specialized locations like fueling stations and rest stops.
MONEY TALK ...
Q: How much does a home charging system cost?
A: The only system currently available, the Delco Magne ChargeTM
inductive wall-mount system, retails for $1,995, plus installation
($3,285 for a floor-mount system). A basic installation costs $895. Conductive chargers
are expected to be available mid this year and prices will be announced at that time.
Q: How much does it cost to charge an EV?
A: Actual cost depends on utility rates for your area, but typically, to fully
charge an EV costs about 1.5¢ a mile, with the special EV rates made available to many EV
customers.
HOME CHARGING STATION WARRANTY & INSURANCE ...
Q: What about maintenance for an EV charging system? What does it require and how do I
take care of that?
A: It works like this: Edison EV’s installation of the charging circuit
carries a 3-year warranty. The charging hardware itself has a 3-year manufacturer’s
warranty. Edison also offers a maintenance and repair policy.
Q: And what about insurance for the EV charging system?
A: Edison EV is working hard to give insurance carriers what they need to know by
providing fact sheets and safety information. The charging hardware should be treated like
any other piece of equipment installed on your property and covered under your regular
liability and property damage policy.
