Top ways to save money when charging your electric vehicle
Join us every weekday morning on Eyewitness News at 5 a.m. for our new segment, ABC7 On Your Side where we've got you covered on all your money-saving tips.
Join us every weekday morning on Eyewitness News at 5 a.m. for our new segment, ABC7 On Your Side where we've got you covered on all your money-saving tips.
Join us every weekday morning on Eyewitness News at 5 a.m. for our new segment, ABC7 On Your Side where we've got you covered on all your money-saving tips.
Join us every weekday morning on Eyewitness News at 5 a.m. for our new segment, ABC7 On Your Side where we've got you covered on all your money-saving tips.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The cost to charge an electric vehicle is already cheaper than the price at the pump - by a lot.
Right now, the average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline in Los Angeles County is over $5. In a sedan that gets 31 miles to the gallon, you will pay about $26 to go 150 miles. If you compare that to a Level 2 EV charger, $12 gets you the same range after 7.5 hours. An hour of DC fast charging will also give you 150 miles for about $16.
But here's how you can pay even less.
Apps are the easiest way to find free charging stations. Some of the most popular options are PlugShare, ChargePoint, ChargeHub, and Volta Charging.
Many of those free options are Level 2 charging stations, which add 14 to 35 miles of range per hour. DC charging can add up to 10 miles per minute, but it's pricier.
EV charging subscriptions can help offset the cost.
Electrify America promises its Pass+ membership will save you 25% on charging, and Blink members save 20% at its stations.
Your workplace might offer free or discounted charging or you can save by being strategic about when you charge at home.
"Utilities like Southern California Edison and LADWP offer EV charging rates during off peak hours, like late at night or early in the morning that are much cheaper than their normal electricity rates," said Jack Conness, a policy analyst at Energy Innovation who focuses on the electrification program.
You can always charge at home using the slowest charge, a level 1, but more homebuilders are installing Level 2 chargers in newer garages.
Like electric vehicles, there are rebates and tax incentives to install a charging station in your home.
Visit the state's Drive Clean website to see what programs you may qualify for. Many new EV's will also come with free charging promotions.
Plus, low-income buyers might qualify for an EV charge card from California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
Join us every weekday morning on Eyewitness News at 5 a.m. for our new segment, ABC7 On Your Side. We've got you covered on money-saving tips, including tricks to save on your bills, smart negotiating tactics, plus where you can score free stuff!
Most EV charging is done at home. After all, it is the most affordable and convenient way to charge an electric car. Find out everything you need to know about charging an electric vehicle at home in this quick guide.
It doesn’t matter if your electric car is small or big, new or used, American, Japanese or South Korean, red, blue or purple. Every EV has a plug that you can use to charge at these locations:
Home
Public
Workplace
That being said, electric car owners tend to mostly charge at home. In fact, most plug-in electric vehicle drivers do more than 80% of their charging at home (source: energy.gov). choose one for the majority of their EV charging sessions. Whether you live in a family home or an apartment, have a garage or private parking, charging your electric car at home is the most affordable and efficient way of charging your EV’s battery.
Learn the simplicity of charging your electric car at home and you’ll learn how to magnify your benefits from driving electric.
“Most plug-in electric vehicle drivers do more than 80% of their charging at home.”
Have you ever used a household outlet to keep your gasoline car battery from dying when it’s freezing cold outside?
Yes? Did you know you can also charge your EV battery with the same outlet? In the world of electric vehicles, this type of charging is called level 1 charging. The charging station for this type of charging is usually supplied with the car. Therefore, all-electric vehicle owners have access to level 1 charging.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: “All I need to charge my EV at home is a household outlet? Easy peasy!”
Just a moment! There’s more to know about electric car charging speed and how to use level 1 charging.
Although using a level 1 charging station is the most straightforward way to start charging your EV at home, it is generally only used for emergencies and roadside troubleshooting. Most of the time, it stays in the trunk of the vehicle. Here’s why:
“A standard household outlet is what a Level 1 charging station plugs into.”
You now understand that if you want to take advantage of a faster charging speed at home, you will need to equip yourself with a more efficient charging station.
The fastest way to charge your electric car at home is with a level 2 charging station. It can be installed on the side of your house, in a garage or your private parking lot. Also, it needs to be wired directly into your domestic electricity supply and may require a certified electrician to do so.
A level 2 charging station is therefore a key element in truly enjoying all the advantages of charging at home: its practicality, ease of use, reliability and savings!
While faster charging stations exist, they cost thousands of dollars and have energy needs that surpass what is available in a home. As a result, they are currently only used for public charging. If you’d like to learn more, check out our comprehensive guide to charging an electric car.
If you plan on charging your EV at home, the next key step is to equip your home with a level 2 charging station. These vary more and more in response to the increase of electric vehicle models available today. You’ll consequently have to choose a charging station that best suits your needs and your lifestyle.
Some models are mounted to a wall, others are available as plug-in versions and can be moved. There are “smart” level 2 charging stations that allow you to view your charging history or even schedule charging sessions at specific times of the day. Some charging stations are better suited for cold weather than others.
Yes, there are many factors to consider when you decide to purchase a Level 2 charging station for your home. But fear not! The ChargeHub Team has prepared a guide on How to Choose Your Home Charging Station. Let’s take a look, shall we?
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