A Cost-Saving Step for EV Shoppers to Remember

Electric-vehicle sales are on the rise and the data signals that more Americans will switch over within the next 30 years, with 19 million EVs expected on the road by 2030. That means a brand-new purchase decision for many of us.

Even the savviest car shopper goes into buying their first EV somewhat blind. Unfortunately, the excitement of choosing make and model, exploring color options and breathing in that intoxicating new-car smell is distracting shoppers from one very important step: planning how they’ll charge their new car.

An EV without a safe, efficient and reliable home charging station is like a boat without a dock. Without proper preparation for home charging, customers can lose money and face reliability and safety issues for their most valuable assets: their cars, their homes and their families.

So, why are the same shoppers who are willing to make the massive shift to electric simultaneously forgetting to conduct research on this basic maintenance step?

New data reveals that the vast array of charging options aren’t on the radar of most first-time EV shoppers. A survey by Uplight and See Change Institute shows that while nearly every EV customer wanted to charge their new car at home, few of them conducted extensive research on how to do so before purchasing the vehicle. Those who did preliminary research turned to sources like YouTube, online car forums and social media, but this route is neither comprehensive nor tailored to individual shoppers.

Ultimately, the home charging experience is different for every customer. For instance, it depends on your car, your home, your lifestyle and your preferences. If you work during the day, you probably prefer to charge throughout the night, and vice versa. Your residence: apartments, new homes, old buildings – affects what you can plug into the wall.

There’s also the environmental factor. Buying an EV is a great first step to cutting carbon emissions, but how and when you charge it greatly impacts your carbon footprint. Everyone’s situation is different; a personal charging experience requires a personal charging installation and education. Luckily, there’s a resource for that.

Power providers are naturally qualified to prepare EV shoppers for powering their vehicles. Utilities realized this, and are now introducing programs offering discounts, guidance and safe installation, no matter the make or model.

Devren Hobbs

Unfortunately, few are aware of this one-stop resource that could save them money, energy and headaches. None of the aforementioned Uplight survey participants contacted their utility before purchasing their EV.

A few did later, but only after noticing a higher-than-normal bill. Those few were directed to EV-specific rates, and the problem was quickly solved by the utility. A handful of participants upgraded to a Level 2 charger after being disappointed by Level 1 charging speed. And many looked to upgrade to a Level 2 charger but gave up after needing to schedule installation and/or a panel upgrade – when utilities could help match customers with qualified electricians.

In all these scenarios, contacting utilities earlier could have saved money, energy and time that could have been used just enjoying that brand-new car.

Devren Hobbs (pictured, above left) is general manager of Emerging Technology at Uplight, a clean-energy software partner for utilities.