For drivers across America, adopting an electric vehicle (EV) offers clear benefits like lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact compared to gas-powered cars. But the transition also comes with hurdles, especially surrounding public charging availability. So how viable an option are EVs currently for Arizona residents?
This comprehensive guide examines the developing ownership landscape, including purchasing costs, expanding infrastructure, and what Arizona‘s unique climate means for range and performance. With both progress and persistent obstacles, understanding the full picture is key before Arizonans commit to an electric future.
The Allure of EV Ownership
Across the United States, 2021 marked a major inflection point for electric vehicle adoption. Despite the ongoing microchip shortage constraining auto manufacturing, over half a million plug-in electric cars were sold last year, representing a 70% year-over-year increase according to industry reports.
This growth is fueled by the increasing viability of EVs addressing many traditional barriers of limited range, high sticker prices and scarce public charging options. Major automakers now offer electric models traveling over 300 miles on a single charge, competitive with gas counterparts. New federal tax incentives signed under the Inflation Reduction Act have also made purchasing more attainable.
For Arizona residents, embracing electric cars provides additional benefits:
Lower Fueling Costs – With over 300 days of sunshine annually, Arizona has unlocked abundant solar energy production. This powers EV charging for effectively zero marginal cost once home charging equipment is installed. Electricity rates across the state‘s major utilities range from $0.11 to $0.13 per kWh, translating to as little at $0.75 to $1.25 to "fill up" a typical EV battery from empty to full.
HOV and Charging Incentives – Qualifying EVs can access high-occupancy lanes on Arizona highways to bypass congestion even with only a single occupant. Public charging stations also offer reserved parking spots to motivate adoption.
Reduced Annual License Fees – Registering an EV in Arizona qualifies for a 20% discount on the standard vehicle license tax paid based on assessed value. That saves $1 per year for every $100 of tax owed.
Emissions Testing Exemption – Unlike internal combustion vehicles, EVs produce no direct exhaust emissions. That makes them exempt from the mandatory testing for vehicle registration renewal required across most Arizona counties.
But weighing the upfront purchase prices, charging considerations and Arizona‘s uniquely intense climate also factor heavily into the ownership calculation…
Weighing Costs Over Time
Electric vehicles still demand higher initial purchase prices that can deter buyers focused only on sticker price instead of total cost of ownership over years. However, improving battery range and technology plus falling cell production costs have brought EV pricing more in line with comparable gas models.
| Vehicle | Base MSRP | Estimated 5-Year Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Toyota Camry LE | $27,250 | $8,500 |
| 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL | $34,000 | $3,628 |
| 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD | $47,000 | $5,719 |
For example, the Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV is one of the most affordable EVs with an MSRP starting around $34,000. That significantly undercuts even the entry-level gas-powered Kona yet offers 50% more horsepower and a 258-mile battery range. Toyota‘s legendary Camry sedan holds the title as America’s best-selling car with a reputation for reliability and value retention. Yet over a 5-year ownership period, the Kona Electric edges ahead of the legendary Camry when factoring America’s national average gas price.
Local electricity rates have an outsized impact on EV running costs, with Arizona positioned favorably thanks to solar energy investments…
Charging Considerations for Arizona Drivers
For Arizona EV owners, installing Level 2 charging equipment at home is ideal to conveniently fuel overnight without relying solely on public stations. This requires working with your local utility to upgrade wiring and electrical panels or generators to handle the additional 220-240 volt power source. Luckily this equipment and installation is cheaper than ever, with some utilities subsidizing part of the cost. Expect around $1,500 to $2,500 depending on your home’s existing infrastructure.
Both of Arizona‘s major utility providers offer incentives to offset home charging station costs. Arizona Public Service (APS) rebates $250 for customers purchasing a qualifying Level 2 charger. Installers must be vendors approved by APS.
Salt River Project(SRP), the other major utility servicing Phoenix metro suburbs provides a $300 to $500 rebate depending on the EVSE equipment brand installed. SRP also offers ev‐Forward, a subscription add-on to residential accounts providing a special EV Time-of-Use rate plan at discounted charging times overnight.
With Arizona home to America‘s 5th largest metro area in Phoenix, public charging availability also enables longer trips across the state‘s diverse geography. The state currently ranks 16th nationally with over 2,800 public charging ports available, according to the latest Alternative Fuels Data Center tally.
Over 85% of Arizona‘s public EV connectors are Level 2 chargers, but new funding aims to grow the crucial DC Fast Charging (DCFC) network…
Federal and State Support Spurs Infrastructure Growth
Expanded access to DC fast charging stations is critical for convincing more residents to make the EV switch knowing they can undertake longer journeys reliably, especially amid searing Arizona summer heat.
Until recently, EV infrastructure growth came largely through voluntary commitments by utilities and private companies like charge point operator Electrify America. But landmark legislation at both the state and national levels is funneling dedicated funding to accelerate network expansion.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021 provides $5 billion towards EV charger deployment nationally over five years. This includes $76.5 million allocated specifically for Arizona infrastructure buildout per the Federal Highway Administration‘s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Managed locally by the state‘s DOT, priority sites selected for new DC fast chargers will first focus on Interstate highway routes and high-traffic destinations across Arizona.
The Arizona Corporation Commission also recently approved new Demand Response programs directing an additional $4 million annually to install EV charging where grid capacity needs reinforcing. Qualifying stations will receive funding for upfront construction costs in exchange for allowing adjusted charging rates during periods of peak electricity demand.
Meanwhile APS, SRP and electricity provider TEP all have open proposals to regulators that would hike customer rates slightly to fund increased home charger rebates along with more public Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure.
Hot Climate Accelerates Range Loss and Battery Wear
While Arizona provides an ideal environment for solar electricity generation, sustained extreme heat each summer inescapably impacts EV efficiency and long-term battery health.
Lithium-ion batteries rely on careful thermal management to maintain stability and maximize operational lifespans. Battery discharge and recharging generates heat, while ambient high temperatures in the surrounding environment make cooling the battery more difficult. To protect cell integrity, an EV‘s battery management system throttles discharge power once certain internal temperature thresholds are reached.
Studies by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory directly correlate increasing ambient temperatures with exponential reductions in EV range efficiency due to these battery protection modes activating earlier in hotter weather. In a 2022 test, a 2018 Nissan Leaf traveling at 70 mph saw its range drop over 40% conducting the same trip at 95°F ambient temperature compared to 60°F.
Arizona‘s average high temperatures from May-September exceed 100°F across most populated areas, meaning extreme range loss is unavoidable for at least several months each year. Careful pre-conditioning of the cabin before driving using remote climate controls can help narrow the deficit.
Additionally, laboratory research quantifies that sustained exposure to heat also accelerates loss of battery capacity through additional wear over time. According to data analyzed by Geotab fleet management systems, Phoenix‘s typical metro high temperature of 106°F in summer months results in average EV battery capacity degrading nearly twice as fast compared to EVs based in more mild climates.
Automakers continue targeting improvements to thermal management tech and related components like wiring and charge controllers to enhance real-world performance for EV owners in hotter regions.
Conclusion: Favorable Conditions with Unique Challenges
For an increasing number of Arizona drivers, choosing an electric vehicle today provides excellent ownership value along with energy autonomy and sustainability benefits. Home solar charging powered by Arizona‘s plentiful sunshine offers essentially free daily refueling, while state and federal incentives knock thousands off lifetime operating costs.
However, the extreme summer heat inherent to Arizona also negatively impacts EV battery range and accelerates capacity degradation compared to other regions. Intense ambient temperatures regularly sap miles of range for months on end each year. And exacerbated battery wear means more frequent replacement may be required over the vehicle lifetime.
Arizona‘s sprawling metro Phoenix region also hampers infrastructure expansion plans, as lower housing density spread over vast geography makes comprehensive public charging station coverage challenging.
Still, the state offers strong signals of support for continued growth supporting mass adoption. Federal funding has spurred near-term buildout of cruical fast charging sites on major thoroughfares, while local utilities are motivating more homeowners to install their own charging equipment through generous incentives.
For the EV-curious driver in Arizona, a bit more patience surrounding public infrastructure growth is still required. But expanding options and forthcoming policy support mean the state appears posed to become a prime destination for electric vehicle ownership in the years ahead.
