People who own electric vehicles often buy these products out of environmental consciousness. After all, “green” vehicles reduce a driver’s environmental footprint in a number of ways, including putting the brakes on pollution and conserving non-renewable fuel resources. However, this green initiative does require a little forward thinking to ensure that your automobile has the power it needs. From refueling to pricing, electric car charging stations are a crucial part of managing your vehicle’s operations.
Private Refueling
Most recharging should occur at home to prepare your automobile for use. This process is simple and fast to perform, as it takes less than a minute to plug your automobile in when you return home.
Public Options
To recharge in public, you will need to find a network that offers it. Networks are available throughout the country, but each one operates independently and uniquely to deliver power. Before utilizing this type of service, it’s helpful to learn a basic overview of how they work and how to use them.
Price
Some stations are free, and others involve a fee for use. Fee structure varies, but it generally includes either a pay-as-you-use option or a monthly subscription. If you opt for a subscription service, one option would be an all-you-can-use service. The amount you can add to your vehicle per hour will depend on your car’s specific capabilities. A smaller or slower charger will cost more to refuel than a faster charger. Some areas may be more conducive for pay-as-you-go payments, while others will probably have special packages for EV drivers who want extensive plans with more options.
Frequented Routes
If you have a regular commute or traveling radius, it’s beneficial to explore this area to find the electric car charging stations available. Networks usually have multiple stations in a geographic area to provide EV drivers with plentiful options. Explore networks to learn the number of stations and their approximate locations to decide which one you want to use primarily, especially if you will be purchasing a plan.
Finding Electricity on the Go
When at home with a computer, it’s a simple task to view a locator map to find electric car charging stations. There may be times when you are driving and find yourself in need of an emergency charge. When this occurs, use a smartphone to search for charging points in your specific geographic area. The search engine results should provide you with options located near you.
You could also download an app to your smartphone to utilize location services in an even more streamlined fashion for finding the power you need.
If you’re lucky, your automobile may even help you with this search. Built-in navigation systems of EVs will often display your remaining range on a map. Also included in the map data will be the locations of all the nearby points for additional electricity.
Don’t neglect the recommendations of friends and family as you strive to find the electric car charging stations you want to use frequently. Personal recommendations often help you find the best spots for topping off your vehicle.