Residents of Alaska, a state better known for its oil industry, are increasingly switching to electric vehicles.
The state benefits from an abundance of hydroelectric power, while gas prices are among the highest in the nation, making EVs a particularly attractive option for utilizing resources and saving money. Additionally, Alaska Electric Light & Power offers discounted rates for charging EVs during off-peak hours and the opportunity to rent charging equipment.
Many Alaskan cities are also encouraging the use of EVs by installing public charging stations. Juneau has a goal of installing the most charging stations per capita in the US. Even the small town of Cordova recently installed four free charging stations, while only having two EVs in town.
And while Alaska may be remote, with great distances between cities, many residents drive relatively short distances within their towns on a daily basis, reducing the need for a long range on the vehicle.
Buying an EV can be more difficult in Alaska, though. Residents often must obtain their car from the lower 48 states – namely Washington or Oregon – and ship the car up to Alaska. However, the savings over the lifetime of owning the vehicle far outweigh the cost to ship the vehicle up to Alaska.
Photo courtesy Kirk Martakis
