Pays For EV Charging Stations
When it comes to electric vehicle charging, the answer depends a lot on how you use your car. EV charging stations cost money to install and operate, and they require regular maintenance. That’s why companies such as ChargePoint and EVgo charge users on a per-minute or per-hour basis or sell monthly subscriptions to a network of charging stations. But there are a number of places where EV drivers can find free charging. These include workplaces, public parking lots and retail businesses that offer EV charging as a customer service. Some of these stations are maintained by the local power company, which provides free charging to some evcome owners as part of its efforts to encourage electric vehicle adoption.
Some EV chargers are available at public venues such as hotels, museums and higher-end supermarkets. They may be free to use as a way to attract customers and promote the business, or they might be limited to paying guests who have a reservation or membership. If you’re not a customer and try to park and charge at one of these locations, they have the right to unplug your EV.
Many car dealerships also have EV charging stations, and they are often free to use. However, these are often restricted to owners of the specific brand whose cars they sell or lease. If you try to use a dealer’s station with another make, the dealership might not allow it and could even ticket you for improper parking.
Who Pays For EV Charging Stations?
There are also a wide variety of commercial EV charging stations that are maintained by third-party companies. These include EVgo, which operates the nation’s largest network of Level 2 charging stations, and Tesla, which offers its own Supercharger network for its vehicles. For example, Porsche is providing buyers of its all-electric Taycan with two years of unlimited free charging at Electrify America charging stations in select markets.
As for private EV charging, some home and apartment owners offer it as an amenity to their residents, while others do so to help reduce utility bills. In addition, some utilities provide discounts on electricity rates for those who plug in at night or during off-peak hours.
If you plan to install a charging station at your home, the federal government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Tax Credit can help cover up to 30 percent of the cost of the hardware. You can also look into rebates offered by the state or city, as well as your utility provider. For example, New York City DOT is partnering with the city’s municipal energy utility to build a network of EV charging stations in the city’s parking garages and lots. They’re expected to be open by early 2022.
There are a number of online resources to find public EV charging stations, and your EV’s built-in navigation system will also point you toward available charging locations. One great resource is PlugShare, which provides information about pricing structures and connector types for each charging station and allows you to filter by location. EV drivers should be aware that not all public charging stations are powered by renewable energy, so if sustainability is important to you, make sure to check with each station’s operator to see what kind of power they use.