FAQ
- What is a plug-in electric vehicle?
A plug-in electric vehicle refers to the broad category of vehicles that use electricity stored in a battery for some or all of their energy to drive the vehicle. Examples include a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) like the Chevy Volt, and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) like the Tesla Model S. Models Available
- Are there any incentives to owning an electric vehicle?
The US government currently offers a federal tax credit of $2,500-$7,500 for PHEV and EV purchases. Depending on your location, you may also be eligible for incentives from your state or city. To find relevant incentives, visit the Alternative Fuel Data Center’s Federal and State Laws and Incentives database. View Database
- What environmental impact do EVs have on the planet?
Because BEVs do not have a tailpipe, they do not produce any emissions. Their minimal environmental impact comes from the utility’s electricity production, which decreases every year due to greener technology.
PHEVs, on the other hand, produce marginal emissions because they contain an internal combustion engine. Due to regenerative breaking, however, they are much more efficient than traditional vehicles.
- Do I need to purchase a charging station?
New EVs come with chargers located inside the cars, plus cords and other equipment to plug into conventional 120-volt electrical outlets. For faster charging, many drivers will want to buy electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE), known informally as a charging station, in order to plug into a 240-volt outlet.
- Where do I recharge a PEV?
Most PEV owners recharge their vehicles overnight in their own garage, carport, or driveway, but there are public chargers located in parking garages and shopping centers as well. To see a map of all public chargers across the United States, visit PlugShare
- How much does it cost to charge a PEV?
It generally costs less to charge a PEV with electricity than to fuel a traditional car with gasoline. Exactly how much it costs will vary depending on the vehicle and electricity rates.
- How long does it take to charge a PEV?
Charging duration depends on the amperage of the charging system and the size of the car battery. To recharge a completely empty PEV battery from an ordinary 120-volt socket (Level 1) could take about 8 hours. Using a faster 240-volt outlet or charging station (Level 2) could reduce charging time to 2-6 hours. If you have access to a DC Fast Charge station, charging a PEV battery to 80% capacity could only take 15 minutes.
- Are the batteries in PEVs safe?
Yes, PEV batteries are safe. Besides having to meet basic Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, PEV batteries undergo additional, rigorous “stress-testing” and include safety features that deactivate the electrical system in the event of a collision or short circuit.
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Additional Resources
- AFDC Compare Electricity Sources and Annual Vehicle Emissions- State vs. National Average
- AFDC Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search
- Clean Cities
- DOE Costs Associated with Non-Residential Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
- DOE Plug-In Electric Vehicle Handbook for Consumers
- DOE Plug-In Electric Vehicle Handbook for Fleet Manager
- DOE Plug-In Electric Vehicle Handbook for Workplace Charging Hosts
- DOE Plug-In Electric Vehicle Handbook for Public Charging Station Hosts
- Electrifying Transportation Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Improves Air Quality: Executive Summary
- EPRI A US Consumer’s Guide to EV Charging
- EPRI Commercial & Industrial Guide to Electric Transportation
- EPRI Total Cost Ownership Model for Current Plug-In EVs
- List of Available Charges
- Plugging in at Work: How to Effectively Install, Share and Manage Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- PlugShare International Charging Locations Interactive Map
- Workplace Charging Challenge