Ameren Illinois EV Newsletter - Fall 2024

Celebrate National Drive Electric Week!

In celebration of National Drive Electric Week (NDEW), Ameren is hosting a series of virtual and in-person electric vehicle (EV) events! We’re bringing community members the opportunity to chat with EV experts, take an EV out for a spin, and learn how easy it can be to incorporate EVs into their lifestyle. Join us for the ultimate EV experience at these family-friendly events and get a 3D experience inside the world of EVs!

To kick off the festivities, Ameren is presenting “EV 101: A Brief Introduction to Electric Vehicles.” In this engaging virtual event, you will learn about the different types of EVs and their benefits, how easy they are to charge at home and on the road, available vehicle purchasing incentives and more. You’ll also be able to ask questions with an EV expert!

EV 101: A Brief Introduction to Electric Vehicles

Wednesday, September 18th | 12 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Free to Attend | Registration Required

Register Today

Curious about driving an electric vehicle? This is a great opportunity to take an EV out for a test drive! Get behind the wheel and test drive a variety of makes and models at our Ride & Drive Events this National Drive Electric Week. This event will allow you to take an EV out for a spin, learn about charging, and get a feel for how EVs can fit into your lifestyle.

28th Annual Wings-N-Wheels Fly-In Car Show

Saturday, September 28th | 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.

Register Today

If you would like to learn more about driving electric, check out Ameren Illinois EV resources.

EV Owner Spotlight

Embracing Electric: My EV Journey Through the Seasons

My name is Taylor Klipfel, a student at Maryville University in St. Louis, and I’m excited to share my journey with my 2017 Chevy Bolt, which has transformed my driving experience and adapted seamlessly to different weather conditions.

Back in August 2023, I was on the hunt for a new car. I wanted something quiet, efficient, and a bit different from the norm. That’s when I came across the Chevy Bolt. With some help from my parents, we found a model in Columbia, IL, that fit my budget, lifestyle, and driving habits. It's quiet driving and sleek design immediately drew me in, and the fact that it has zero tailpipe emissions sealed the deal.

Living on campus at Maryville University was another key factor in my decision to go electric. With four Level 2 charging stations available, I knew I could easily keep my car charged, ensuring it is always ready to go. Plus, when I need to visit my family in Cape Girardeau, I can charge my car 100% for the two-hour commute.

Here are some key points about my experience in different seasons:

Fall-Winter:

- Sometimes I need to charge my car more frequently in winter due to the heater, but the cost of charging is still reasonable.

- In the fall, I might spend about $12 a month on charging, and even in winter, it only goes up to around $20.

- Driving on ice and snow has been smooth, with reliable traction and control throughout.

Spring-Summer:

- Driving in warm weather has been just as smooth as in cold weather.

- Rainy days don’t cause any issues; my EV handles wet roads just as well as dry ones.

- Using the auto setting on the AC makes cooling efficient without significantly impacting the battery.

- My charging expenses stay consistent even in these seasons, so I don’t end up spending more despite using the AC more often.

One recommendation I have for driving an EV, regardless of the season, is to always plan ahead. Mapping out your routes and knowing where the charging stations are is important. This habit is beneficial year-round to ensure your EV stays always fully charged.

Overall, my experience with my EV has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve learned to adapt and appreciate the benefits of driving an EV in all weather conditions. Whether it’s fall, winter, spring, or summer, my Chevy Bolt handles it all with ease.

EV Highlights

Save with Ameren Illinois' ChargeSmart Program

Ameren Illinois' ChargeSmart program is here to help you understand how your household uses energy. By adopting new habits and making simple shifts in your energy usage, you can enjoy savings and optimize your energy consumption.

How Does the ChargeSmart Program Work?

The ChargeSmart program is a whole home rate program designed to help you take control of your energy usage by shifting when you charge your EV and use high-energy appliances to off-peak hours. Here’s how you can take full advantage of the program:

Preferred Charging Period: 11 p.m.–7 a.m.

Set it and forget it: Charge your EV and use timers or delayed start features to run high-energy appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers overnight.

Earn Bill Credits: Enroll in the ChargeSmart program and earn $4.00 per month bill credit for 12 consecutive months of participation and enrollment.

Non-Preferred Charging Period: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Avoid Peak Charges: The highest one hour of energy usage during this timeframe is billed at a higher cost. Set your EV timer to charge overnight and stagger the use of high-energy appliances to avoid running them simultaneously.

Standard Charging Periods: 7–11 a.m. and 7–11 p.m.

Standard Rates Apply: During these periods, standard rates apply with a higher delivery rate being charged during non-preferred charging period for one hour of the time period where energy is used.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3

Understand: How you and your family use energy during the non-preferred hours (11 am to 7 pm) through your Ameren IL Customer Dashboard
Charge Smart: Take advantage of overnight charging and appliance use to reduce costs.
Reap the Rewards: Start saving with the $4.00 bill credit for the first year enrolled in the program.

Start saving today with Ameren Illinois' ChargeSmart program and turn saving money into a habit!

To find out how to enroll and begin saving, explore our ChargeSmart program here. We also invite you to join our Smart Charging 101: An Introduction to Ameren Illinois ChargeSmart Program webinar on Tuesday, October 22nd at 12 p.m. or 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the program, discover tips for maximizing your savings, and get answers to any questions you may have. Register today!

Don’t own an EV (yet)? Ameren Illinois has other programs you can enroll in to optimize savings. Check out Power Smart Pricing!

EV Insights

Before you explore what's coming up, it's important to understand the benefits and differences between BEVs and PHEVs to make an informed decision.

BEVs

- Can save up to $1,300 annually on fuel and maintenance, and many models are eligible for a Federal Tax Credit of up to $7,500.

- Require fewer maintenance visits with about 20 moving parts and no oil changes.

- Offer ranges over 400 miles and can recharge to 80% in about 30 minutes.

PHEVs

- Home charging can provide fuel savings equivalent to $1 per gallon of gas, with some eligible for a Federal Tax Credit of up to $7,500

- Need less gasoline and fewer oil changes, benefiting from regenerative braking to reduce wear on brake components.

- Offer an average electric range of 30 to 50 miles.

2025 BEV Models	2025 PHEV Models
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz - Volkswagen ID.7 - Land Rover Range Rover EV - Chrysler Airflow - Volvo XC60 EV - Volvo EX90 - Ram 1500 REV - Toyota Tacoma EV - Jeep Recon - Cadillac Vistiq - Nissan Maxima - Polestar 5 - Chevrolet Corvette EV - BMW Vision Neue Klasse - Hyundai Ioniq 9 - Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV - Volvo ES90 - Buick Electra - Chevy Bolt - Kia EV4	- Ford Bronco - Ford Escape - Ford Ranger - Jeep Gladiator 4xe - Audi RS5 Avant Plug-in Hybrid - Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid - Cadillac - Cadillac - Cadillac - Nissan Maxima - Polestar 5 - Chevrolet Corvette EV - BMW Vision Neue Klasse - Hyundai Ioniq 9 - Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV - Volvo ES90 - Buick Electra - Chevy Bolt - Kia EV4

Many of these models might be eligible for federal tax credits, which can significantly reduce the purchase cost. If you would like to learn more about driving electric, check out Ameren Illinois EV resources .

Ask the Ameren EV Expert

What is the expected life span of the battery in an EV?

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to revolutionize the automotive industry, one of the most common questions that arise is: How long do electric vehicle batteries last?

Electric vehicle batteries, primarily lithium-ion batteries, are designed to last for many years. On average, an EV battery can last between 10 to 20 years (around 200,000 miles) depending on several factors including the make and model of the vehicle, driving habits and climate conditions. It’s important to note, that there is a longer warranty period for EVs than there are for traditional gas vehicles, as the government has mandated all EV manufacturers warranty batteries for a minimum of up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, and some manufacturers extend the warranty beyond that.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Battery

1. Charging Practices: How you charge your EV can influence battery lifespan. Just like cell phone battery maintenance, regularly charging to 100% or frequently depleting the battery to 0% can be harmful over time. Ideally, maintaining a charge between 20% and 80% is recommended for optimal battery health. Most EV drivers charge their vehicles overnight at home, which helps maintain optimal battery health and ensures an adequately charged vehicle each morning. This approach minimizes the need for fast-charging stations, which can accelerate battery wear. Charging at home overnight saves EV drivers money by allowing customers to take advantage of the Ameren Illinois ChargeSmart program, and avoiding extra fees for utilizing public DC Fast Chargers. While modern EVs can handle fast-charging, overnight charging is gentler, more cost-effective and more convenient for maintaining battery health.

2. Battery Care: Just like a traditional gas vehicle, it’s important for EV drivers to pre-condition their vehicles for weather conditions to help maintain their battery and extend its life. During extreme weather, it’s best to turn the vehicle on before hitting the road, giving the battery time to ‘warm up’ before driving around town in winter cold or summer heat. Batteries also tend to charge faster, and last longer, when they’ve been pre-conditioned! Most EVs offer a remote start feature, allowing drivers to prep their vehicle without entering it. This way, EV drivers can prepare their vehicles without leaving the garage, as EVs have zero tailpipe emissions.

3. Battery Design: Just like cell phone batteries have improved over the years, so have EV batteries. With more competition in the market and advanced technology, batteries are becoming not only more powerful, but also less expensive to produce, benefiting the driver greatly. Newer EV batteries have a longer expected lifespans and include better climate-control features to help prevent degradation. As EV technology advances, the likelihood of needing a battery replacement is decreasing. However, if you do need to replace the battery, the cost is gradually coming down as technology improves and more options become available. New opportunities like battery recycling are enhancing the battery availability and eco-friendliness for EV drivers. Companies like Redwood Materials are advancing the battery recycling and manufacturing process, eliminating the need for new raw materials, and increasing the sustainability of driving electric.