Con Edison is making it easier for car shoppers to understand the savings they can get by plugging in instead of gassing up.

The energy company is expanding its online Marketplace offerings to include information on the costs and environmental impact of buying and owning various car models, including plug-in electric vehicles and hybirds.

Car shoppers can make side-by-side comparisons of cars they are considering buying. The site provides the manufacturer's suggested price, the value of rebates and tax breaks for electric vehicles, and the estimated fuel costs.

"We've created Con Edison Cars to help car buyers in New York see the benefits of choosing an electric vehicle," said Cristina Coltro, manager, Reforming the Energy Vision Demonstration Projects at Con Edison. "It's part of our effort to help our customers make energy-smart decisions and to encourage greenhouse gas emissions reductions."

The site is provided by Enervee, a technology and software company that gives energy companies the tools they need to communicate with their residential customers and help the customers make informed decisions.

"Con Edison is innovative when it comes to helping its customers have the information they need to save energy," said Matthias Kurwig, CEO of Enervee. "Our partnership with Con Edison is helping New Yorkers understand the tremendous economic and lifestyle benefits they can enjoy by choosing energy-efficient appliances, electronics, lighting, and now cars." 

Con Edison's Marketplace went live in 2016 as an online resource where Con Edison customers can review and buy smart thermostats, LED lighting, appliances and dozens of other energy-saving products. 

Last year, Con Edison added a tool that lets residential customers get quick, customized information on the financial benefits of installing solar panels. That feature will even manage the buying process for a customer who chooses solar. 

The vehicles feature on coned.com lets car shoppers enter information on the number of miles they drive in a year, how much of their driving takes place on city streets, and whether they charge at home, at work for free, or at roadside charging stations. The site then provides information on emissions and efficiency via the 0-100 Enervee Score.

Enervee's research has found that 60 percent of people surveyed want vehicles with zero emissions and that nearly all drivers think it is important to have a vehicle that is econimcal to own. But Enervee also found that most drivers are not familiar with electric vehicle options. 

Con Edison's new site for car shoppers complements the company's other electric vehicle initiatives. The SmartCharge NY program provides rewards for drivers who charge at times when the demand for power is not high.

The company also offers a break on rates for developers who install quick charging stations and make those stations accessible to the public.

Enervee | www.enervee.com

Con Edison | www.coned.com