Whether you're planning a long-distance road trip or just want to make a quick run, there are a few things you need to consider if you're driving an EV. We've put together some useful tips to help you make the most of your electric car.
Plan your route
Choosing the right way to charge an EV on a road trip can be tricky. It's important to plan ahead and find charging stations along your route. There are plenty of apps and websites that can help you with this task.
One of the best tools is the EV Charging Station map. This is available from the US Department of Energy. It provides information about each station, including tips on how to maximize your vehicle's charge.
Another useful tool is the EV Trip Planner. This app lets you plan a route and locate superchargers, toll plazas, and highways. It also shows you discounts and toll lanes. The route is on a map and includes information on tunnels and bridges.
If you want to find out how much it costs to charge an EV on a roadtrip, the Kelley Blue Book estimates that you will pay about $59 per month. This is based on the national average electricity cost of 15 cents a kilowatt hour.
There are also several apps that will allow you to find and compare the pricing of a charging station. These apps include EVgo, PlugShare, and ChargeHub. Electrify America offers fast chargers all over the United States.
These charging stations can add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes. These stations are available at restaurants, malls, and many other locations. However, it's important to note that the range of your EV will vary depending on the type of charging you choose, your driving style, and the climate you live in.
If you're planning to take a long trip, pack a home charger as a backup. This way, if your car needs a charge while you're traveling, you can do it without spending hours on the road. If your battery is low, you can also plug into your garage overnight.
While it may be tempting to drive all the way to a remote area and find the nearest public charging station, it's a good idea to have a backup plan in place. Often, these stations are not near scenic locations, and they may be busy charging other vehicles.
Find a charging station near you
Whether you're planning a road trip or just driving around town, finding an EV charging station near you can help you save time and money. With the right apps and navigation system, you can get directions and find the closest stations. These apps also can help you decide if the chargers are available, and if they're working.
Some car companies even have a mobile app that can help you locate charging stations. These apps can also tell you how fast the chargers are. In some cases, you may have to pay a fee, but most of these services are free.
One of the best apps to use to find a charging station is PlugShare. This app provides a map of charging stations, a description of each one, photos, and ratings. You can also search by location, power, speed, and price. It is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Another good app is ChargeHub. This interactive application allows users to search for charging stations, add new ones, rate them, and receive turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps and Apple Maps. It even includes an in-app messaging system to answer questions.
The Electrify America network is the largest network of EV charging stations in the United States. They are located in major highways, shopping centers, and cities. They are priced according to the amount of charging that they can provide. The charging speeds are usually fast. You can charge your EV in about 30 minutes with a DC fast charger.
There are a few other options for finding charging stations, but these are the most popular. You can find them through a number of third-party apps. These apps are available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play+. You can also download them from your smartphone.
You can also enter information about your charging station on the Open Charge Map website. This way, other people can find and submit information about the station. It also lets you see user ratings, the type of connector present, the charging speed, and the level of charging.
If you're in the US, you can also try EVmatch. This peer-to-peer EV charging network lets you search, reserve, and pay for private EV charging stations across the country.
Get a tax incentive for buying an EV
Whether you're looking to buy a brand new electric vehicle, or you're looking for a rebate for an older one, the government offers a tax incentive. In fact, you can get a rebate of up to $500 from the state of New York. However, not all states offer incentives, and not all of them are EV-specific.
The most important thing to remember is that the $7,500 EV tax credit is not refundable. Instead, it operates as a money back deal, at the end of the fiscal year. The amount of the credit is subject to certain qualifications, and will be capped at $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers.
In addition to the EV tax credit, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 also requires that qualifying vehicles be assembled in North America. This is a requirement that was not in place when the old federal incentive was in place. Similarly, it will require that critical minerals be sourced from the United States or other free trade partners.
These changes mean that even the most popular EV models will be hard pressed to meet the new qualifications. Manufacturers like General Motors and Tesla may find it difficult to comply with the new requirements.
However, the old tax incentives still apply to new vehicles purchased before August 16, 2022. In addition, they'll also continue to apply to plug-in hybrids.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 did include a transition rule, which means that the $7,500 EV tax credit will continue to be available until December 31, 2022. At that point, it will be phased out. The phase-out starts at the beginning of the second calendar quarter, after the manufacturer sells 200,000 eligible AEVs.
In order to receive the EV tax credit, you'll need to file a form called IRS Form 8936. This form will be sent with your annual taxes to the federal government. The credit will be applied as a discount, but you'll be able to transfer the credit to a qualified dealer at the time of sale.
The good news is that the $7,500 EV tax incentive is just the beginning. Additional updates to the tax credit will begin taking effect in 2023. Those updates include requirements for battery packs, which must be rated for at least four kWh of energy storage. Increasing percentages of the battery minerals must be sourced from the U.S.
Maximize your time
Whether you're going on a road trip or a short drive, making the most of your charging time can enhance your experience. The most efficient time to charge an EV is during cooler parts of the day. In addition, if you plan to stop for dinner or a meal break, try to schedule that at one of the charging stations.
Using a map to plan your route can make the journey less stressful. Several apps, such as PlugShare, have been developed to help drivers find chargers along their route. Some of these apps have built-in route planning features. Others, such as A Better Route Planner, allow you to map out your EV's journey based on the range of your battery.
When mapping out your EV's route, consider the effects that weather, temperature, and terrain will have on your battery's capacity. Cold weather, for example, can reduce your range by up to 40%. In addition, high speed driving, heat, and extreme temperatures can also reduce your range.
If you're taking a long trip, you'll want to stop for breaks and meals. This will reduce driver fatigue and prevent you from becoming distracted. It will also give you the opportunity to charge your EV at one of the charging stations.
If your EV has DC fast chargers, it can be charged to 80% of its capacity in just 30 minutes or less. These fast chargers can be found in shopping centers, restaurants, and other places that are close to your destination.
Another option is to use the Electrify America network, which offers a variety of chargers along Interstate 95. These chargers can add up to 250kW of power per hour. You can also plug your EV into your utility bill to charge it for free.
Whether you're a first-time EV owner or an experienced EV driver, it's important to map out your charging plans before you leave on a trip. You'll also need to take into account the impact of your load. If you have kids, for example, you'll want to bring extra snacks and camping equipment. You should also map out potential recreational activities you can do while you're charging.