U student builds app that compares long-term costs of driving an EV versus a gas-powered car

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Have you ever wondered if switching to an EV would be worth it? Now, thanks to a Utah graduate student, there’s an app for that.

Adrian Martino, a recent graduate from the University of Utah, developed a novel tool that will help Utah drivers know if certain EV models will actually save them money compared to regular gas-powered vehicles.

By partnering with Utah Clean Energy, Martino created a tool that uses localized information about Utah’s electrical grid and gas prices. The app allows users to compare different car models and emission scenarios. The app can even compare the costs and payback of a new car purchase with info specific to Utah.

On top of cost-payback comparisons, the app can also show environmental impact by providing users with carbon dioxide emissions predictions based on a car’s make, model, and grid scenario.

“Whether it’s today’s grid, a future cleaner grid, or a coal-heavy scenario, the tool makes it easy to visualize the environmental impact of each,” Martino said.

The tool uses data from Rocky Mountain Power and can show users if energy used to power an EV was created from coal or through cleaner sources.

“One of the most common questions we get about going electric is, ‘What if an EV is powered by coal? Is it still better for the climate?’ This tool gives you a clear, data-driven answer,” Kelve Goupil, a senior associate at Utah Clean Energy, said.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the country. EPA data shows that 28% of all emissions can be attributed to transportation.

With such a large impact on the nation’s carbon emissions, University of Utah researchers say making electrifying vehicles can be an important pathway to combat climate change.

The tool is available for use here.