Homeowners might be making the switch from the pump to the plug by purchasing a new electric vehicle. While these green cars save money on the gas they don’t consume, powering the drive requires a charged battery.
Vehicle owners might find that charging their electric car at home is the most convenient and cheapest option. Yet, not all homes are equipped to handle the wired lifestyle of electric car ownership. Here’s how to prepare for the operating costs of an electric car so the utility bill doesn’t zap the excitement.
At-Home Charging Options
There are two options that electric car owners have when they opt to charge their car at home. They can use either a level 1 or a level 2 charger. However, these charging options are very different.
About a Level 1 Charger
A level 1 charger might be included in the purchase of the vehicle. These chargers are a cord that connects to the car and plugs into a standard outlet in the garage (or somewhere in the home).
While level 1 chargers are the most affordable option, they aren’t the most efficient charging option. If the car’s battery is fully drained, the level 1 charging station could take more than a full day to fully regenerate the battery to 100 percent. According to EVO Charge, a level 1 will offer about 1.2 kW.
If the car owner doesn’t travel far during the day, an overnight charge via a level 1 charger could be fine. However, if owners have a more extensive commute, the level 1 option might not work for them.
About a Level 2 Charger
A level 2 charger will be an extra cost for the car owner. However, the cost can increase if the home is not wired with the adequate voltage to support a level 2 charger. While a level 1 charger can plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, the level 2 requires between 208 to 240 volts.
If the home isn’t wired for the level 2, homeowners will need to hire an electrician to upgrade the voltage. The price of upgrading electrical needs in the home will increase the cost of the level 2 charger.
According to Watt Logic, installing the level 2 charging station at home could cost anywhere from $700 to $2,000. While the investment cost could be expensive, the power offered by the level 2 charger allows for a drained battery to be fully charged overnight. Those with long commutes could wake to a fully regenerated battery that’s ready to take on the distance.
Other Considerations for Homeowners
While electric cars mean that car owners no longer have to pay for gasoline, car owners will likely see an uptick in their electricity costs. The increase could depend on how often the vehicle needs to be charged and the type of the charger used.
Still, the cost of electricity is cheaper than the price car owners pay at the pump. Instead of allocating a gas budget, homeowners might need to move that expense over to their utility costs.
Public Charging Stations
Electric car owners might find that their car’s battery is low during the day. Unfortunately, they may be too far from home to charge the car in their garage.
Public charging stations are an option when car owners need to regenerate their battery and can’t get home to plug in. Some car manufacturers offer free charging for a period of time when car owners purchase a new electric vehicle; owners, though, might only be able to use certain public charging stations.
If car owners don’t have access to free charging privileges, some charging stations offer subscriptions that provide discounted charging rates. Those who don’t have a membership, though, could discover that the price of charging their car at a public station might vary considerably.
In addition, while some public stations are very efficient and can charge a battery quickly, other public stations could take hours to regenerate a dead battery. Car owners who are used to the gas pump and only spending a few minutes filling their tank might be shocked that some cars could take hours to charge.
Availability of public charging stations also could be an issue. Some areas have embraced the electric car trend and have numerous public charging stations for car owners. Other areas might have very few charging stations, and some might not offer any stations.
Thankfully, many electric cars help owners find the nearest charging stations. When planning a long road trip, car owners might decide to map out routes to ensure that they have easy access to charging stations in case the battery runs low.
Electrifying the Ride Impacts the Home
Electric vehicles are greener and less expensive to operate than the standard car. However, homeowners will need to research their charging station options to determine if they should use a level 1 charger or the level 2 charger at home.
Not all homes are wired to support a level 2 charger, and the expense of hiring an electrician to upgrade the voltage could add to the cost of this charging option. However, homeowners who need their electric car for a long commute could determine that benefits of the upgraded level 2 charger are worth the price.
Those who don’t have long daily commutes could opt for a level 1, which can plug into any outlet. This cord could be included in the purchase of the car, or the owner might need to purchase it separately.
Whatever charging option homeowners choose for their electric car, they shouldn’t forget to budget for the extra electricity costs. Electric cars save on gas costs, but they require electricity to charge the battery that powers the ride. However, homeowners can account for these extra costs and will likely find that the jump in electricity costs is still cheaper than the price they once paid at the pump.
