Plug-in Electric Vehicles: A Primer for Consumers to Contractors

More than 100 years ago, all-electric vehicles (EVs) held much of the U.S. car market, but their popularity waned as the interest in cars with internal combustion engines (ICEs) rose. The ICE vehicle had a longer driving range, petroleum fuel costs were declining, and the electric starter and manufacturing assembly line improved the affordability and usability of ICE vehicles. Gasoline and diesel-powered ICE vehicles dominated transportation in the 20th century. However, concerns about the environmental impacts of ICE vehicles sparked a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) renaissance at the end of the 20th century. Today, PEVs are back and ready to compete with and complement the ubiquitous ICE technology. This book is a primer for consumers, electrical contractors, fleet managers, and public charging station hosts on plug-in vehicles.