Many states and cities offer incentives to encourage EV charging. Incentives range from rebates to tax credits. Many EV owners prefer to charge their cars at home, workplace, or public stations. Providing charging will make your commercial organization more attractive to those with an electric vehicle. Be sure to consider your electricity rates, too. EV drivers often charge during off-peak hours when prices are lower.
How Do They Work?
There are several different types of charging stations. Still, they all work the same way: a cable plugs into your vehicle’s charging port and another into an electrical outlet—usually the same kind that powers lights or appliances. The EV charger converts electricity from a source like solar, wind, or fossil fuels into the direct current (DC) that charges your car’s battery. Three levels are often used to identify EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3. “Level” refers to the amount of time needed for an EV to charge from empty—Level 1 is the slowest, with a full charge taking multiple days; Level 2 is adequate for most at-home use and can add about 80 percent in just over a day; and Level 3 is fastest, topping off your car’s battery in about half an hour and adding anywhere from 20 to 30 miles of range per minute.
Many EV drivers sign up for public charging network accounts that let them track their usage and even pay their session fees with an app on their phone. The app will also connect you to a specific EVSE port depending on the type of connector attached. Some public EVSE ports are free, but most charge by the kilowatt-hour or a flat fee for the entire session, typically priced in dollars per minute. If your EV is registered with a charging network, it may also offer its members incentives, such as a lower cost per kWh.
How Do I Find a Charging Station?
Some electric car drivers worry that finding charging stations on the road will be difficult, but plenty of options exist with the help of an EV charging stations company. Automakers have their apps and in-car solutions, as do third-party services. The latter can even ask what kind of charger your EV uses so that it only shows you compatible stations. Apps from charging station providers offer similar functionality. Many can also streamline payment and allow you to monitor your car’s battery status. And they’re usually up to date, unlike Google Maps, which isn’t the most reliable tool for searching for EV charging spots. Many apps also provide useful information about the stations you’re considering, such as the price to charge, whether the plugs are available, what type of charger each one offers, and in some cases, which network operates it. They may also include features such as time-of-use rates, allowing you to pay less if you charge overnight instead of during the day when electricity is most expensive. Some apps also help you plan your route. Using a journey planner can help you find places to stop and recharge on your way to your destination so that you don’t run out of power while in transit.
How Do I Charge My Car?
If you’re driving an electric car, you only need to plug it in at home or a public charging station. Most of NYS’ hundreds of Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt outlet and attach cables to your car (some also have long lines for those who park in multistory garages). Home charging stations can be permanently mounted, or an electrician can install wiring similar to that used for a home laundry machine or electric dryer, typically between $400 and $700. When you plug in, a communication process happens before the charger starts supplying power. The car decides how much it can accept, and the charger only delivers as much as the vehicle can handle. If you’re at a station with different capacities, the max rate will be lower — the charger or the car.
You can also charge your car with a standard 3-pin plug at home, although it takes more time and doesn’t have the safety features of dedicated EV chargers. However, doing so could increase your electricity costs, especially if you’re plugged in during peak hours when prices are highest. Many public charging stations allow you to pay using a credit card, cash or an app that lets you track the energy you’re consuming — and how much you’re saving by switching from gasoline. Some even have solar panels to reduce your environmental footprint and further hold you money.
What’s The Difference Between a Home Charger And a Public Charger?
EV drivers often have a home charging station installed, which provides more convenient and cost-effective charging. The equipment plugs into a standard 240-volt household electrical outlet and includes a cable that connects to the car’s onboard charger. A dedicated electrical line must be run from the house’s breaker box to the garage or exterior location where the charger is located, which can cost a few hundred dollars, and longer cables are available for those who park their cars on the street or in multistory parking garages. Home charging stations can be equipped with various connectors to support the many different types of electric vehicles today. Additionally, they might be fueled by renewable energy, which is becoming more frequent. Public charging stations can be found in many locations, including airports, shopping centers, and parking lots. They are often free to use, although some require payment or membership. They are also subject to availability and wait times.
A few disadvantages of relying on public charging are:
- Long public wait times.
- Limited availability.
- The risk of damaging your battery through frequent use of rapid charging stations.
It is why it is best to rely on your home charger as much as possible and use public charging points only when necessary.