Electric Vehicles - Racing Towards A Sustainable Future
It’s no secret that gasoline-burning cars are a major source of carbon emissions and air pollution. The EPA estimates that a typical passenger vehicle produces 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. It would take 76 trees ten years to sequester that same amount of carbon! If the technology is available, why don’t more people use electric vehicles? Many people hesitate to make the transition because they believe the myths about electric vehicles, such as they have shorter lifespans or require higher upkeep than traditional cars (an electric vehicle will actually save you money over the years).
Today, however, the electric vehicle revolution is growing steadily: battery prices are falling while battery capacity is increasing, charging is getting faster, and cars are becoming more affordable. BloombergNEF predicts that electric cars will make up more than half of all passenger and light commercial vehicle sales by 2040. As the residents at the Ithaca EcoVillage strive to reduce their carbon footprints, implementing a village-wide electric car system seems like the natural next step. Jeff Gilmore, a resident of EcoVillage for twelve years, is spearheading this effort.
Jeff has a background in computer engineering but has been interested in practical renewable energy projects for the past twenty years, beginning when he installed a photovoltaic system on his own home in 1995. At the EcoVillage, Jeff found a community of like-minded people committed to a sustainable lifestyle, and with their support, he was able to continue experimenting with renewable energy DIY solutions. Most recently, Jeff has been working to bring electric charging stations to the EcoVillage.
The EcoVillage Electric Vehicle System
At the Ithaca EcoVillage, the goal is to put a 240-volt charging outlet in each carport. Currently there are 90 carports with chargers as well as wired parking spots. Unlike an individual electric vehicle charging station which has its own dedicated circuit, the EcoVillage has a “daisy chain” system where every 10 or so outlets share one circuit. The chargers are flexible, “communicating” with each other to slow or speed up and stay within the capacity of the circuit - saving money and electricity. A mobile app system monitors the charging of the vehicles and produces a spreadsheet of usage which is used for billing. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to create an electric vehicle charging and billing system at a community scale.
Lessons for the Future
The electric vehicle project is not only a step towards reducing village residents’ carbon footprints, but also an important part of the EcoVillage’s educational mission. One of Jeff’s goals for the project is to develop a list of guidelines to support other communities who are interested in replicating our system. Ecovillages might be the perfect place to experiment with new renewable energy systems, but ultimately, electric vehicles will become universal. As the technology improves and more governments regulate the air pollution generated by gas-powered cars, electric vehicles will not only be the more sustainable option but also the more affordable and efficient choice.
As a veteran of DIY renewable energy projects, Jeff has some lessons for people looking to replicate the EcoVillage’s success. He encourages people attempting a new project to be both skeptical and to have a little stubborn faith. In the end, the most powerful difference you can make in the fight against climate change is to inspire others: “If you’re trying to convince people, the best way is to lead by example”.
Editor’s Note: Join Jeff Gilmore for a webinar presentation about Ithaca EcoVillage’s electric vehicle charging system on Wed, Nov 11th, 2020, at 4:00 pm EST.