Getting Started
Determine your charging level needs, check out how much room you have on your home’s electric panel and get informed on when best to charge your new vehicle.
- Level 1 is a 120-volt slow and steady charging option that uses the most common house outlet to charge a vehicle. Every EV manufacturer provides a charging cord for this level.
- Level 2 is a 240-volt option that uses another outlet commonly found at home; the one that powers appliances like an electric clothes dryer. This option is faster, which means shorter charging times.
- Level 3 is commonly referred to as “fast charging” because these chargers will help an EV reach capacity more quickly than the other levels, though this type of charging is for public use, not at home.
Ask the utility about what local incentives are available when installing home charging equipment.
Benefits
EVs are not only environmentally friendly, they also cost less to drive. The average annual fuel expense for a gas-powered vehicle is just over $2,000 while charging an EV can be as little as $500 each year. Recharge times can vary, though they are becoming faster each day, with Level 3, or fast-charging, EVs reaching 80% capacity in just 30 minutes. EVs also provide a quiet operation with stronger acceleration.
Contact the utility to learn more about switching to an EV.