DOE Tool Helps Consumers Compare Electrified Vehicles

The U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has created a tool to help buyers in the Midwest compare prices, operating costs and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid and full-electric vehicles vs. piston-powered models.

The online tool is called Evolution: Choices for a Smarter Purchase. The app is designed to work for consumers located in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Users enter their zip code, daily driving habits and purchase considerations, such as price range. This customizes the results based on local fuel and electricity prices, average transaction prices, charging availability, traffic and climate. A map showing public chargers by location and type helps visitors to the site assess charging options.

At the end of the six-step process, users will be given the differences in costs, emissions and fuel consumption between the various types of vehicles they are considering.

The tool is part of the Midwest EVOLVE initiative launched last year by the American Lung Assn. and eight Clean Cities coalitions. The group has more than 60 partners, including carmakers, utilities, state agencies, municipalities and dealerships.