09/27/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/27/2024 11:10
Insights > Electric vehicle ownership: Tips for weighing EV options
09/27/2024
Entergy Mississippi has been celebrating its 100th anniversary during the last year and we've had a lot of fun looking back at our history. In the early days of our company, few customers had electric appliances in their homes. Today, we take our electric appliances-from dishwashers and washer/dryers to crock pots and stand mixers-for granted.
Homes today are built with hookups for washers and dryers, but for the first part of the 20th century, it was not common. Houses had to be retrofitted to accommodate the new appliances and some homeowners were skeptical that the appliances would be worth the cost and trouble of adding the wiring, electrical outlets and equipment. Over time, customers moved from skepticism to having a difficult time imagining life without the convenience of appliances that help us take care of our families.
Today, we are witnessing a similar evolution as more Mississippians choose to drive electric vehicles. Much like electric appliances, purchasing decisions are made over time and consumers are still in the early stages of learning how EVs can meet their transportation needs. At Entergy Mississippi, we are closely monitoring EV adoption and we'll adapt along the way to help EV drivers on the road and at home.
There are benefits to owning an electric vehicle. EV owners typically save a significant amount on fueling costs when compared to drivers of combustion-engine vehicles. Over the past 20 years, the price of gasoline has increased at twice the rate of electricity. Pricing for electricity is also more consistent than the price of gasoline.
When deciding if an electric vehicle is right for you and your family, there are several factors to consider:
There is a common misconception that the electric grid does not have the capacity to serve a large influx of electric vehicles in the state. Utility companies will expand capacity to keep pace with demand and Entergy Mississippi is working to forecast and meet that need.
As a founding member of the National Electric Highway Coalition, Entergy is helping to create a seamless network of EV charging stations along major transportation corridors in our service area.
Last year, Entergy Mississippi launched a direct current fast charging station pilot project at Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland. It is the first company-owned electric vehicle charging station of its kind in Entergy Corporation's four-state service area and will serve both residents and EV drivers passing through on I-55 and nearby I-20. In July, Entergy Mississippi expanded the pilot project to a second fast charging site in Brandon, MS.
As EV owners use the charging stations, Entergy Mississippi studies the impact of electric vehicles on the power grid. Insights on frequency, time of day and location help the company prepare for improvements that may be needed as power use from electric vehicle drivers increases.
The company is also partnering with Adopt-A-Charger, Inc., a nonprofit organization that installs electric car chargers which are "adopted" by sponsors, to place chargers in key public areas. Several locations in Mississippi have been announced.
Recently, we launched a six-part podcast series called Your EV Power Source to educate our customers on common electric vehicle misconceptions. In each episode, Electric Mobility Portfolio Manager Scott Barrios and KeyString Labs Lead Product Manager Amy Flower sit down with industry experts and enthusiasts to offer practical tips for customers considering going electric.
How to listen
The first two installments of Your EV Power Source are now available on the Entergy eMobility website as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. You are encouraged to share them with your external and internal stakeholders as appropriate.