New analysis suggests Birmingham/Hoover drivers could save by going electric

The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition (ACFC) on Friday highlighted a new analysis that found Birmingham ranks second in the nation for daily miles driven by drivers. The ACFC notes that given the high number of miles driven, drivers in Birmingham could see significant fuel savings by switching to electric vehicles (EVs).

The a new analysis from ReplicaA mobility analytics firm that studied weekday private car trips by adults in the nation’s 50 largest metro areas in the fall of 2023 found that Birmingham drivers drive an average of 36.1 miles per day, or about 20% more than the national average, and spend more than two hours in their vehicle each day.

Birmingham/Hoover ranks #2 nationally in miles traveled per capita and minutes traveled per day, making Birmingham one of America’s leading capital cities.

“This study shows that people in Birmingham travel more miles to and from work than almost anywhere else in the country — even more than Atlanta, Houston and Dallas,” said Michael Staley, president of Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, which promotes the cost-effective deployment of domestically produced alternative fuels. “Based on Replica’s figures showing how far the average commuter in Birmingham drives each day, at current gas prices, our analysis shows drivers can save $135 per month by switching from gas to electric.

“That adds up to about $1,600 a year,” Staley continued, “and that’s a significant savings to any family budget when you also consider that you no longer have to pay for oil changes or tune-ups. Because Birmingham drivers cover more miles, the cost savings are potentially greater than in other cities.”

Staley noted that the savings can multiply for EV owners who take advantage of utility-based incentives. Alabama Power, for example, offers a discounted overnight rate for electric vehicle owners from 21:00 to 5:00, as well as a $500 rebate for EV owners who install a Level 2 charger the home.

“At Alabama Power, we are committed to providing our customers with EV-focused solutions to make the transition from gas to electric vehicles as easy as possible,” said Hasin Gandhakwala, Electric Transportation Manager at Alabama Power. “Charging a vehicle is already significantly cheaper than filling one with gas, and these programs are designed to make the price difference even greater for EV drivers.”

In addition to cost-saving programs offered by utilities, drivers can also save money when purchasing a new vehicle with federal tax credits of up to $7,500.

“Federal tax credits may be available for the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle,” said Tom Dart, president of the Alabama Automobile Dealers Association. “In fact, starting earlier this year, a new federal rule allows consumers to transfer credit to an eligible dealer for an immediate rebate at the point of sale. This can actually lower the sticker price for the customer.”

The state of Alabama is also doing its part, through public education campaigns such as Drive Electric Alabama, which targets key investments in electric vehicle infrastructure across the state. The number of electric vehicles on Alabama roads has increased in recent years, and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) has developed a statewide EV infrastructure plan and funded grants for the construction of public charging stations.

Blake Hardwich, Executive Director of Alabama Energy Institutenoted that electric vehicles offer savings to consumers and are also important to Alabama’s economy, with Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa and Hyundai of Montgomery producing electric vehicles at their facilities and creating jobs in Alabama.

“As more Americans make the transition from gas to electric, we want to make sure these vehicles are built right here in Alabama,” Hardwich said. “Automobiles are Alabama’s largest export and we are the number one car manufacturer in the country – We want to stay that way.”