Charging Electric Cars in Madison and Surrounding Areas.
This is a good time to buy an electric car and a good time to install
a charger for it. Why? The federal government, the State of Wisconsin,
and the Madison utility companies are all offering financial
incentives to encourage the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). This
includes rebates and tax breaks for installation of chargers as well as
lowered utility rates for charging your EV at night.
Installing a charger for an EV is a new approach. The Prius, which
has been driving on Madison streets since 2003, is a Hybrid EV. It
runs on its electric battery and then when the battery is depleted, the
car switches to burning gas. The battery doesn’t plug in for charging
but is charged by a mechanism that is triggered whenever the driver
steps on the brakes.
The new 2010 and 2011 EVs are “plug-ins” or “PEVs.” They come with a
charging cord, like the one your cell phone or computer comes with. The
EV charging cord is called a “Level 1 charger.” TheLevel 1 charger is
plugged into an electrical outlet in your garage or carport. With the
Level 1 charger, ordinary house current (120 volt) charges your electric
car.
The outlet for charging your car needs to be on a dedicated circuit –
one that doesn’t serve any other appliances. It should be a special
safety outlet called a “GFI.” Your electrician will check that your
electrical panel has the capacity to deal with an additional circuit or
if it needs a capacity upgrade. An electrician experienced with
installing chargers can also give you information about tax breaks and
rebates. If your panel has the capacity, then all that is required is
adding the new circuit and safety outlet and you’re good to go.
Level 1 charging is inexpensive to set up, but it has a downside –
it’s slow. For example, taking a Nissan Leaf from empty to full takes 20
hours. This may work for you if you usually drive short distances and
if you are able to recharge your battery each night. You will be able to
avoid totally depleting your battery and will need only a short
charging time to top it off.
Many people will want to be able to charge faster, however. EV
drivers can buy a “Level 2 charger” which can charge a Leaf in about
eight hours, overnight. A Level 2 charger is housed in a container that
is about 18″ by 18″ and can be hung on your garage wall. It comes with a
“hose” that hangs in loops. When you’re charging, it looks very similar
to filling a car with gas, only you’re able to do it in your own garage
or carport. You stretch the “hose” over to the charging socket in your
EV and let it sit until it shuts off by itself when your car battery is
fully charged.
A Level 2 charger is installed by an electrician familiar with EV
chargers. It runs on 240 volts, rather than ordinary house current, and
will need a special circuit. Your electrician will start by determining
if your electrical panel can take the additional load or will need a
capacity upgrade. He or she will work with you to determine the best
location for the charger and will give you a price bid.
If you decide in favor of adding a circuit for Level 1 charging, you
might want to build in the voltage capacity (240 volts) for a Level 2
charger should you want to make the switch to faster charging later.
This is something to ask your electrician about.
The good news about installing chargers now is that in 2011, the
federal government is offering a tax credit of up to one-third of the
installation price. This means that the effective cost of the
installation can be reduced by one-third. Funds for these
rebates are limited and are being offered on a first-come-first-served
basis.
The cost of electricity for charging is also a good deal. Both
Southern California Edison and DWP offer lower off-peak (night) rates
for charging your electric car. They will meter your charger separately
so that you can take advantage of these lower rates.
When you buy an electric vehicle in Wisconsin, you are reducing air
pollution as well as America’s dependence on foreign oil and your
vulnerability to rises in gas prices. You’re also contributing to
creating green jobs. If you act soon, you can take advantage of the
financial incentives that governments and the utility companies are
providing to drivers who make this switch.
Call today to schedule an appointment for a free estimate.
Call 608-574-8769.
3640 Flagstone Circle Middleton, WI 53562