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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/business/15electric.html?hpw

..."If electric cars do take off, consumers and society could benefit. Battery-powered motors are more efficient than gasoline engines. They cost drivers on average only 2.5 cents a mile for fuel, less than a third of the cost for a highly efficient gasoline car, according to proponents."

The truth of the matter is that for an average commute an EV will typically use about .6 kWh per mile. The cost per kWh varies from state to state. At 10 cents a kWh, each mile cost 6 cents. Not bad but much higher than the 2-4 cent claims.

In Long Beach CA, I pay 29 cents on any kWh over and above my normal monthly usage. So for me the cost per mile is 17.4 cents per mile (.6x29). Ouch. Not economically viable. For comparative purposes a gas powered vehicle that gets 30MPG at $3 a gallon costs 10 cents a mile.

I thought folks were seeing more like .25 kwh/mi?

At current gasoline prices, my "highly efficient gasoline car" gets 3.4 cents per mile, so gas prices would have to get much higher for electric transportation to become economically competitive for me.

I thought folks were seeing more like .25 kwh/mi?

TheForce has posted information on PriusChat about his Gen II with HyMotion.

This was his latest tank (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-fuel-economy/82387-new-tank-record-3536-miles-314mpg-in-prius-ii-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle.html). He got 183.81Wh/mi.

I saw that 2.5 cent number posted by THEFORCE. Over 3000 miles on one gas tank. Amazing. Congratulations.

But keep in mind that in order to achieve that number he is hypermiling and he has added $13000 of modifications (Hymotion) to his prius. And he is only paying 8 cents per kWh.
I pay over 3 times that here in Long Beach Ca.

Hi Quads444:

Most are pulling .3 kWh/mile as that is a more normal rate if you want to consider driving dumb normal.

BEVs have a very tough road ahead of them with gasoline where it is at, electricity prices where they are at and especially the initial cost of the vehicles. A lot tougher climb then what hybrids had in fact and I think we will see the real enthusiasm die quickly unless we enter into a period when gas is simply not available or at a price well above $5.00 per gallon.

Good Luck

Wayne