MJB&A Analyzes State-Wide Costs and Benefits of Plug-in Vehicles in Illinois

MJB&A has evaluated the costs and benefits of increased penetration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) in the state of Illinois. The study estimated the benefits that would accrue to all electric utility customers in Illinois due to greater utilization of the electric grid during off-peak hours, and increased utility revenues from PEV charging. In addition, the study estimated the annual financial benefits to Illinois drivers from owning PEVs–from fuel and maintenance cost savings compared to owning gasoline vehicles–and societal benefits resulting from reduced gasoline consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Two different penetration levels between 2030 and 2050 are utilized to estimate costs and benefits. The “Moderate PEV” scenario is based on levels of PEV penetration included in an on-going future planning analysis being conducted by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which is the regional transmission organization that covers Illinois. The “High PEV” scenario is based on Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s (Bloomberg) July 2017 forecast of global PEV sales through 2040.

If Illinois PEV adoption follows the trajectory assumed by MISO, the net present value of cumulative net benefits from greater PEV use in Illinois will exceed $12.2 billion state-wide by 2050. If Bloomberg’s projections for national EV sales are achieved in Illinois, which would result in even greater PEV penetration, the net present value of cumulative net benefits from greater PEV use in Illinois could exceed $43 billion state-wide by 2050.

A large portion of the direct financial benefits to Illinois drivers derives from reduced gasoline use - from purchase of lower cost, locally produced electricity instead of gasoline imported to the state. Under the Moderate PEV (MISO) scenario, PEVs will reduce cumulative gasoline use in the state by more than 4 billion gallons through 2050, helping to promote energy security and independence, and keeping more of vehicle owners’ money in the local economy, thus generating even greater economic impact. In addition, this reduction in gasoline use will reduce cumulative net GHG emissions by 25 million metric tons, which would provide an additional societal benefit of $1.4 billion, from reduced pressure on climate change.

The full report of the Illinois analysis is available here.

An NRDC blog post that discusses the Illinois results is available here.

This study was conducted by M.J. Bradley & Associates for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Ecology Center, Sierra Club, and Charge Up Midwest; it is intended to provide input to state policy decisions about actions required to promote further adoption of electric vehicles. Charge Up Midwest is a partnership of environmental and clean energy organizations actively working to increase electric vehicle deployment throughout the region in Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. More information on Charge Up Midwest is available here.