Georgia Magazine - April 2020 - 24

GEORGIA'S Energy Outlook

By Alan C. Shedd

How do I get charged up?

Georgia Magazine

24_GEO_SW_0420.indd 24

FORD MOTOR CO.

ast month we talked about whether an
electric vehicle (EV) is right for you. Vehicles
currently available offer performance,
operating cost savings compared with gas-powered
cars and good range, but what about when the
vehicle runs low on power?
Charging an EV is as simple as plugging in your
cellphone. However, terminology and multiple
options can cause some confusion, so let's look at
the basics.
There are three types of vehicle charging
stations:
* Level 1: One of these is provided with every EV.
It plugs into a standard 120-volt receptacle and
can add about 5 miles of driving range for every
hour you charge.
* Level 2: The charging station uses a 240-volt
electrical circuit, like your stove or clothes dryer
uses, and can be installed in your home, at your
workplace or as a public charging station. While
the speed at which these devices charge a battery
varies, these charging stations can add about 25
miles of driving range in an hour.
* DC fast charger: These high-powered devices
provide fast vehicle charging at public locations
and along interstates. The charging speed depends
on the equipment installed as well as the type and
needs of the vehicle. A car capable of charging at
75 kilowatts (kW) can add 100 miles of range in
20 minutes. New 350 kW stations can provide
200 miles of driving range in just 10 minutes,
which is useful for longer trips.
Most EVs use the same Level 1 or Level 2
connector, so you can use most available charging
stations. However, Tesla EVs use a different style of
plug. Also, there are three different types of DC fastcharger plugs. Be sure to consult your EV owner's
manual.
The type of charging station you need and the
amount of time it will take to charge depend on how
much you drive. According to the U.S. Department of
Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics,
Georgians drive an average of 17,102 miles per year,
the second-highest in the country. Not surprisingly,
rural Georgia drivers travel farther: 57 miles per day,
compared with 32.6 miles per day for urban drivers.*
A Level 1 charging station at home can replenish the 57 miles driven in less than 12 hours while
your car is parked overnight. To charge faster,

This Ford Fusion is being recharged.

installing a Level 2 charging station at home could be a smart choice. A
Level 2 charger can recharge your car after that 57-mile daily drive in a
couple of hours and reduce your charging time after a long trip. There are
several models of Level 2 chargers that cost between $500 and $1,000. Cost
of installation varies depending on your home's wiring. Some businesses
provide Level 2 chargers for employees as a perk. Public charging stations
can provide juice while you shop or dine.
Charging your EV at home costs about $1.50 for that 57-mile daily drive
at the average electricity cost of 9.28 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That's
less than half what it would cost to fuel a typical gas-powered car.** Your
cost could be even lower if your electric cooperative offers an EV charging
rate that encourages you to charge at night, when the demand for electricity
is low. Most EVs and smart charging stations can be programmed to charge
when the cost is lower. (A smart charging station is connected to a network and can be controlled through an app or computer dashboard by the
owner, a network operator or a utility.)
Many public charging stations require a fee to charge your EV, but your
cost per mile usually will be lower than burning fossil fuels. To replenish
100 miles of driving range, a Level 2 charger would require about four hours
and cost about $4. A DC fast charger would take about 40 minutes, depending on how fast your EV charges with this kind of charger, and will cost $10.
More public charging stations with DC fast chargers are being added for
your convenience.
Alan C. Shedd is the director of emerging technologies for Tucker-based
Oglethorpe Power Corp.
*Average miles driven per year for a driver in Georgia: 17,102. See bit.ly/avgmidriv.
Average miles traveled per day by a Georgia driver: urban, 32.58; suburban, 48.48;
rural, 56.99. See bit.ly/avgmipd.
**Georgia average cost of electricity, residential customers: $0.0928 per kWh. See
bit.ly/avgckwh. Cost to drive 57 miles in a gas-powered vehicle: $5.13 (assuming
25 mpg and a gas price of $2.25 per gallon). See bit.ly/gascstgb.

April 2020

3/12/20 1:41 PM

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/abstracts/2015/georgia_2015.pdf https://www.bts.gov/statistical-products/surveys/vehicle-miles-traveled-and-vehicle-trips-state http://www.bit.ly/avgckwh http://www.bit.ly/gascstgb

Georgia Magazine - April 2020

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