Electric vehicles are revolutionizing transportation by offering cleaner, quieter, and more efficient alternatives to traditional gas-powered cars. Despite their numerous advantages, one of the main concerns for prospective buyers continues to be charging. And it seems to be an obsession with auto writers who can’t always relate to just how we use our cars.
Questions about convenience, speed, and infrastructure have caused many to hesitate. However, as I’ve discussed in a previous column, charging is usually not a reason to avoid EVs for most of us, but rather just one aspect of ownership that can be managed in exchange for an EV’s long-term benefits.
Here’s why you shouldn’t let charging concerns deter you from purchasing an electric vehicle, based on my extended family’s experience of owning four EV and PHEV (plug-in hybrid) vehicles.
1. Home Charging is Incredibly Convenient
For the vast majority of EV owners, charging at home is the primary method for refueling. Adding a charger to a 240V line, such as what your clothes dryer uses, lets you charge your vehicle overnight. This means no more trips to the gas station and no waiting in line. A good charger costs less than $400, and installation could add another $100 or more. You no longer need to buy a more expensive charger with a built in clock and delayed charging functions, since they just duplicate what’s now in every EV.
You can even charge your car by plugging the simple cable supplied with every EV into a standard 120 volt outlet. It’s a lot slower, but otherwise works well. My daughter-in-law owns a Chevy Bolt with a 240 mile range and has never purchased a charger in her three years of ownership. She just charges using the cable and an outdoor outlet.
The convenience of waking up to a fully charged vehicle every morning is a revelation, especially when you consider the average person only drives 30 to 40 miles per day—well within the range of even the most basic EVs and many PHEVs.
I own an EV with 220 miles of range and top it off usually once every 2 or 3 days. Its battery level has dropped below 100 miles just once during my one year of ownership. More often than not, each day I pull out of the garage with a full battery and drive less than 50 miles. I share the same charger with my wife who keeps her PHEV with a 43 mile range charged, as well.
This works for those who drive shorter distances, such as commuting to work or running errands. When I owned a Volt with 55 miles of electric range, I’d fill it up with gas perhaps 4 times per year. The rest of the time I was doing local driving that rarely exceeded 50 miles in a day.
Is an EV for everyone? It’s not for those that are unable to charge from home because they live in an apartment or don’t have access to an outlet. Those that have long commutes and put on many hundreds of miles per day may find charging to be inconvenient, but those are also who would save the most.
2. Public Infrastructure is Rapidly Expanding
Some will cite the need to find chargers while on long trips or local chargers if they can’t charge at home. Public charging is improving with a doubling of chargers under the current administration. The problem has gone from finding a charger to now finding a fast and compatible charger that’s in good working order. It’s more convenient now, but still can be an inconvenience unless you drive a Tesla or other brand with access to the Tesla charging network. Here’s a database of chargers in the U.S. You may be surprised to see how many are close to your home.
Companies like Tesla, ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo are building vast networks of fast chargers across highways and urban areas, ensuring that EV drivers can find charging stations for long trips or emergency charging needs.
Additionally, many shopping centers, office buildings, and public parking garages are beginning to install high speed 240 volt chargers, making it easier to charge while going about your daily activities. With tools like mobile apps and built-in navigation systems, finding a charging station is more straightforward than ever. However, many EV owners report that other than Tesla chargers, they often find chargers that are out of order or in disrepair with broken cords, failed credit card readers or no power.
3. Charging Costs are Significantly Lower Than Gasoline
One of the greatest advantages of EV ownership is the cost savings from electricity versus gasoline. Charging your vehicle at home is far cheaper than filling up at the gas station. Many utilities even offer special EV rates for off-peak charging, further reducing costs. In addition, many public chargers offer free or low-cost charging at certain locations like shopping malls or workplaces. My son often charges his cars at a neighborhood fire station at no cost.
4. Range Anxiety is Becoming a Thing of the Past
Range anxiety —the fear that an EV won’t have enough range to complete a trip—is increasingly less of a concern for even those that drive more miles daily, as battery technology improves. Modern EVs offer ranges well over 200 miles, and many now exceed 300 or 400 miles on a full charge.
If your concern is the occasional long trip you take and are worried about finding a charger, or the extra delay to charge, you can always rent a car for that special trip. Some EV manufacturers supply a free loaner for several weeks with the purchase of an EV.
A number of years ago my wife insisted on buying a 3-seat/8 passenger SUV to accommodate of kids and grandkids when they visited. Considering the extra cost and how often we actually filled the seats, we could have saved money and rented one for the several times they visited. It’s the same mentality with EVs. If it works 95% of the time, look at renting for the 5%.
Conclusion
Concerns about EV charging should not be a deterrent to most buying an electric vehicle. Home charging, a requirement for owning an EV, provides unmatched convenience. The public charging infrastructure is rapidly expanding, and fast-charging options make long-distance travel feasible.
EVs offer significant cost savings over time, and the range of modern electric cars is more than sufficient for most drivers’ needs. The benefits of driving an EV—lower emissions, reduced fuel costs, fewer repairs, and a quieter, smoother driving experience—far outweigh any concerns about charging. By adopting an EV, you’re not just choosing a car; you’re embracing the future of transportation.
Hi Phil – this a great article – thank you for sharing your experiences and expertise! I’ve been driving an EV for the past nine years and agree with your comments completely! My first EV only had an 80 mile range, but it got me to and from work (and up in to the mountains) without any trouble. I’ve since traveled around the country twice and up and down the east coast over a dozen times. Now, if only more of the charging stations had bathrooms and snackers…
Great article. But installation of a 240V dedicated line is not likely to cost $100 unless your brother is the licensed electrician. It’s more likely to cost up to $1500.