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1. Electric vehicles 101

All-electric vehicles (commonly referred to as EVs or BEVs) don't use gasoline and instead have a large battery that powers one or more electric motors. 

There are 4 different types of electric vehicles:  

• Battery electric vehicles (BEV) 
  • Powered by: Electric motor 
  • Fuel source: Electricity 
• Plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) 
  • Powered by: Electric motor and gas engine 
  • Fuel: Electricity and gas 
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles 
  • Powered by: Electric motor 
  • Fuel: Compressed hydrogen gas 
• Hybrid vehicles 
  • Powered by: Gas engine and electric motor 
  • Fuel: Gas 

For more information on purchasing an electric vehicle visit EV Coloado’s website.

2. Electric Vehicle Charging Station 101

There are 3 different charging levels:

• Level 1 Charging 
  • Level 1 charging is typically used at home 
  • It looks like a cord that is plugged into a wall outlet or a standard 120V outlet 
  • Approximately 5 miles/hour of charge  
• Level 2 Charging 
  • Level 2 charging can be used at home or as a public/commercial charger 
  • This typically requires a 240V outlet which is similar to an outlet used to power an electric clothes dryer 
  • Approximately 20-60 miles/hour of charge (depending on the battery) 
• Level 3 Charging or DCFC 
  • Level 3 charging is used as a public/commercial charger 
  • Approximately 60-100 miles per 20 minutes of charge 
  • Level 3 charging is only effective up to 80% after which the charging rate slows down to prevent battery degradation. 

3. Where can I find more information on rebates, grants, and tax credits?

• The Climate Action Office can help direct you to resources and rebates available to offset the costs of electric vehicles and chargers. We work with our partners at CORE, CLEER, and Holy Cross to find solutions that work for you.  
• Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) has staff trained as ReCharge coaches in our region and can provide coaching services for EVs and charging infrastructure development. 

Incentives: 

• You may be eligible for Federal tax credits for an electric vehicle purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charger.
• Colorado Energy Office ChargeAhead grant provides grants of up to $5,750/charger for qualified applicants. 
• If you are an Aspen Electric customer, rebates are available for the purchase of Level 2 and Level 3 electric vehicle chargers at your home or business. Rebates are administered by our partners at the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE). Note that CORE rebates can be used in conjunction with state incentives.  
• If you are a Holy Cross Energy customer, rebates are available for the purchase of a Level 2 electric vehicle charger. 

4. Are electric vehicles more harmful to the environment than gasoline powered vehicles?

It’s complicated. Because of the energy required to extract and refine these battery minerals, EV production generally emits more greenhouse gases per car than cars powered by fossil fuels. However, the average EV makes up for this difference in less than two years. Over the course of an electric vehicle's lifetime, the vehicle is less carbon intensive making it an essential tool to combat climate change. 

5. Can I recycle my EV battery?

• When EV batteries reach the end of their working life, you should recycle them. When the typical 8- to 10-year battery warranty expires, most EV providers can reuse the batteries for a second or third time. Start by contacting your dealership. 
• The Climate Action Office recognizes that the EV battery recycling market is in its infancy. We can expect to see massive growth in recycling technologies in the next few years. Let’s work together to keep EV batteries from being dumped in landfills!