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Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electricity
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id="breadcrumb" class="span18"> <div><a href="http://www.eere.energy.gov/">EERE</a> » <a href="/">AFDC</a> » <a href="/fuels">Fuels & <span class="primary-nav-break">Vehicles</span></a> » <span>Electricity</span></div> </div> <div class="span6 last"> <ul id="utilities"> <li id="print" class="hidden-phone hidden-tablet"><a href="#printable"><i class="icon-eere-utility-print"></i>Printable Version</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row-fluid"> <div class="span4 hidden-print"> <div class="accordion plus-minus-accordion plus-minus-accordion-grey hidden-print" id="left_nav_accordion"> <div class="accordion-group"> <div class="accordion-heading visible-phone collapsed"> <a href="#left_nav" class="accordion-toggle" data-toggle="collapse"> <span class="accordion-hidden-expanded"> <i class="icon-eere-accordion-plus-grey"></i> </span> <span class="accordion-visible-expanded"> <i class="icon-eere-accordion-minus-grey"></i> </span> More in this section... </a> </div> <div id="left_nav" class="accordion-body collapse-phone"> <ul><li><a href="/fuels/electricity-basics">Electricity Basics</a></li><li><a href="/fuels/electricity-benefits">Benefits & Considerations</a></li><li><a href="/fuels/electricity-stations">Stations</a></li><li><a href="/vehicles/electric">Vehicles</a></li><li><a href="/fuels/laws/ELEC">Laws & Incentives</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="span20" id="main_content"> <!--startindex--> <h1>Electricity</h1> <div class="highlight-box floatright" style="padding-top:10px; margin-left:12px; width:25%; min-width: 130px"> <h2 class="lineless"><a href="https://www.energy.gov/local-fuel-savings">Local Fuel Savings Calculator</a> <i class="icon-eere-arrow-header-link"></i></h2> <p>Compare the cost of driving an EV or a PHEV to a conventional vehicle where you live.</p> <a href="https://www.energy.gov/local-fuel-savings"><svg style="fill: #3d4348; width: 100%; max-width: 100px; margin: 0 auto; display: block;" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 576 512"><path d="M96 0C60.7 0 32 28.7 32 64V448c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32H320c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32V304h16c22.1 0 40 17.9 40 40v32c0 39.8 32.2 72 72 72s72-32.2 72-72V252.3c32.5-10.2 56-40.5 56-76.3V144c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16H544V80c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16s-16 7.2-16 16v48H480V80c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16s-16 7.2-16 16v48H432c-8.8 0-16 7.2-16 16v32c0 35.8 23.5 66.1 56 76.3V376c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24s-24-10.7-24-24V344c0-48.6-39.4-88-88-88H320V64c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H96zM216.9 82.7c6 4 8.5 11.5 6.3 18.3l-25 74.9H256c6.7 0 12.7 4.2 15 10.4s.5 13.3-4.6 17.7l-112 96c-5.5 4.7-13.4 5.1-19.3 1.1s-8.5-11.5-6.3-18.3l25-74.9H96c-6.7 0-12.7-4.2-15-10.4s-.5-13.3 4.6-17.7l112-96c5.5-4.7 13.4-5.1 19.3-1.1z"/></svg></a> </div> <p>Electricity can be used to power electric vehicles (EVs), including <a href="/vehicles/electric-basics-ev">all-electric vehicles</a>, also called battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), and <a href="/vehicles/electric-basics-phev">plug-in hybrid electric vehicles</a> (PHEVs). These vehicles can charge their batteries by drawing electricity directly from the grid and other off-board electrical power sources. In contrast, <a href="/vehicles/electric-basics-hev">hybrid electric vehicles</a> (HEVs) are fueled with liquid fuels, like gasoline, but use small batteries to recapture energy otherwise lost during braking (ultimately boosting fuel economy). PHEVs can use off-board electricity for power, which classifies them as EVs, but can also use liquid fuels and operate similar to HEVs if necessary. Using electricity to power vehicles can have significant energy security and emissions benefits.</p> <h2 class="lineless"><a href="/fuels/electricity-basics"><img src="/vite/assets/icon_fuel_basics-B63UqZU9.png" border="0" alt="Icon of an information sign." class="floatleft">Basics</a> <i class="icon-eere-arrow-header-link"></i></h2> <p>Find information about using electricity to power vehicles, including production and distribution, and research and development.</p> <br style="clear:fix;"> <h2 class="lineless"><a href="/fuels/electricity-benefits"><img src="/vite/assets/icon_fuel_benefits-LWVg3Hd_.png" border="0" alt="Icon of a scale." class="floatleft">Benefits and Considerations</a> <i class="icon-eere-arrow-header-link"></i></h2> <p>Explore the benefits and considerations of using electricity to power vehicles.</p> <br style="clear:fix;"> <h2 class="lineless"><a href="/fuels/electricity-stations"><img src="/vite/assets/icon_fuel_stations-BZC24Gcw.png" border="0" alt="Icon of a fueling pump." class="floatleft">Stations</a> <i class="icon-eere-arrow-header-link"></i></h2> <p>Locate electric charging stations in your area and learn about charging infrastructure for EVs.</p> <br style="clear:fix;"> <h2 class="lineless"><a href="/vehicles/electric"><img src="/vite/assets/icon_fuel_vehicles-IKvZIjBF.png" border="0" alt="Icon of a vehicle." class="floatleft">Vehicles</a> <i class="icon-eere-arrow-header-link"></i></h2> <p>Learn about electric and hybrid vehicles and how they work, and find information about vehicle availability, conversions, emissions, batteries, deployment, maintenance, and safety.</p> <br style="clear:fix;"> <h2 class="lineless"><a href="/fuels/laws/ELEC"><img src="/vite/assets/icon_fuel_laws-CY_k-5WS.png" border="0" alt="Icon of a dollar sign." class="floatleft">Laws and Incentives</a> <i class="icon-eere-arrow-header-link"></i></h2> <p>Find laws and incentives related to electric and hybrid vehicles and charging infrastructure in your area.</p> 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