Guide to EV Charging in Texas
Guide to EV Charging in Texas
Get a new EV vehicle at Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Big Spring
Electric vehicles continue to pop up everywhere, and with more and more automotive companies going more electric, the time to switch to a greener vehicle is now. Once you get your electric vehicle, you are going to need to know about the different chargers and where to charge your vehicle in our great state. That's where we come in! Below you will find a comprehensive guide to charging your EV vehicle here in Texas, including the level of chargers, when to charge, and where to charge. Once you are done reading, check out our complete EV inventory here at Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Big Spring!
How to Charge Your EV
A few different chargers are available to you both at home and out on the road. The first is a level 1 charger, a standardized connector that will allow you to charge your EV at home via a wall outlet via a cable that is included with your car. This will give you a slow charge rate of around 3-5 miles per hour. This charger is helpful for drivers who travel 40 miles or less daily. Level 2 chargers also come with a standardized connector and are used for at-home charging via a dedicated charging station. It gives you a medium charge rate of 15-30 miles per hour and is helpful for drivers who travel a hundred-plus miles daily. The final charger we will cover is the DC Fast Charger which comes with three connector types. You can find these chargers off the highway on dedicated high-power stations, giving you a fast charge rate of 150-400 miles per hour. The DC Fast Chargers are helpful for long driving distances of 300 miles plus daily.
When You Should Charge
Every electric vehicle will have a timer to let you set when the car charges. The best time to assess your EV will be between 10 pm and 6 am, when the renewable wind power peaks, and there will be more capacity and the Texas grid. You'll want to avoid charging in the late afternoons between 4 pm and 7 pm as there will be less capacity in the Texas grid. In addition, if you want to maintain battery longevity, you will want to keep a charge between 20% and 80% whenever possible. If you are going to do normal daily driving, you will want to charge up to 80%, while longer driving trips will require closer to 100% charging. While on those long trips, don't charge up to 100% at DC Fast Charging Stations; only charge what you need to get to your destination. Finally, never let your battery sit at 0% or 100% for an extended period of time.
Where to Charge your EV
We need to tell you that there are over 2,000 charging stations in Texas, and many charge multiple vehicles simultaneously. Most people will charge their car overnight or throughout the day for daily driving at level 2 or DC Charging Stations. You can find most charging stations at offices, shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. If you tend to drive on the highway, charging will happen at several dedicated DC Fast Charging Stations along many major highways. Drivers will be allowed to choose between multiple networks based on the fast-charging connector on their vehicle, and most networks will support multiple connector types at each station. As with any trip, you should plan, and you can find many chargers via several apps that display station status, occupancy, cost, and charge rates.
Benefits of Buying an EV
There are several benefits to getting yourself an electric vehicle here at Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Big Spring, and most of them have to do with your finances and maintenance. For example, the state of Texas will offer you a $2,500 rebate for buying an electric car with the Texas EV Rebate Program, with 2,000 applications accepted every year. In addition, there is a US federal tax credit of up to $7,500 just for getting an electric car. Also, several auto manufacturers estimate a 40% reduction in maintenance costs over the life of electric vehicles. Many electric utility providers also offer reduced rate plans for nighttime hours, and many electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and will typically require less maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles. You will only usually have to worry about windshield wiper fluid and tire pressure, and the batteries that power electric vehicles are maintenance-free.
Get a new EV Vehicle at Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Big Spring
Now that you know all of the benefits of driving an EV, it's time to get behind the wheel of one. To take a test drive of the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee 4xe, head down to Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Big Spring and speak with one of our outstanding sales team members. They will be more than happy to set you up with one and can even accompany you on the test drive so you get the whole feel of what driving an electric vehicle is all about. If you enjoy your test drive, we have a complete finance center where our team will go over all your options and take your trade-in if you have one. You can also check out our complete EV inventory here on our website!
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Max payload/towing estimate ratings shown. Additional options, equipment, passengers, and cargo weight may affect payload/towing weights. See dealer for details.