Electric Vehicles in Sturgis

[F6Pilot]

Quite an interesting topic here. I drive a Tesla and it weighs in at 5381 pounds. I used to drive a 2003 Tahoe Z71 that weighed in at 5050 pounds. That said, how much extra wear on the roads do you believe that additional 330 pounds will produce?

I researched these things for a few years and made a choice to purchase. I am not a fanboy, still have my F150, and know most of my electricity currently comes from coal fired plants. I also know that there is no way a complete and immediate switch to EV is possible or even expected given our current grid. (I also work in the renewable energy space)

This kind of reminds me of the perceptions and opinions associated with the darkside debate, which I also tried and did not burst into flames as a result.

If you have any additional questions, ask away.

[F6Dave]

most of my electricity currently comes from coal fired plants.

I was surprised to see that in Tennessee, nuclear provides most of the electricity. The major sources are nuclear (44%), nat gas (20%), hydro (11%), and coal (23%). Biomass, solar, and oil provide the other 2%. Source: https://www.electricrate.com/data-ce...rces-by-state/

[F6Pilot]

My statement regarding coal was not literal, but rather in general. We have one of the lowest power costs in the nation as a result.

[willtill]

My statement regarding coal was not literal, but rather in general. We have one of the lowest power costs in the nation as a result.

Save me a bachelors cabin there somewhere. Deep in the woods. I need a getaway place when my wife retires. Seriously.

[F6Dave]

My statement regarding coal was not literal, but rather in general. We have one of the lowest power costs in the nation as a result.

That's a balanced mix of electricity sources. I can see how your rates have stayed low. And it's very clean, with 75% from nuclear, nat gas, and hydro.

It should be interesting to see what happens to electric rates now that natural gas and coal prices have more than tripled from just a year ago. Those commodities provide over 2/3 or our electricity, but utilities have long term contracts which have shielded ratepayers from the worst of the increases. As those contracts expire Americans are in for some shocking utility bills this winter.

[F6Pilot]

That's a balanced mix of electricity sources. I can see how your rates have stayed low. And it's very clean, with 75% from nuclear, nat gas, and hydro.

It should be interesting to see what happens to electric rates now that natural gas and coal prices have more than tripled from just a year ago. Those commodities provide over 2/3 or our electricity, but utilities have long term contracts which have shielded ratepayers from the worst of the increases. As those contracts expire Americans are in for some shocking utility bills this winter.

It will be interesting to watch utilities as the EV market continues to heat up and demand increases. Here is an older 2016 article regarding TVA, the main reason the region has such low rates.

Balanced Fuel Portfolio Helps Reduce Ratepayer Costs (tva.com)