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More and more people are considering the purchase of an electric vehicle (EV) these days. As your local  energy provider, West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) wants to help educate members about EVs, the ins and outs of owning one, and the electricity needs members may have if they decide to purchase an EV.

Is an EV right for you? If your daily commute is under 250 miles per day, there is likely an affordable EV that will fit your needs. Most of today’s EVs have a driving range-per-charge between 50 to 330 miles. When purchasing an EV, be sure to check the range-per-charge for the vehicle. This is the number of miles the car can typically be driven between full charges. This varies significantly between models.

Long road trips can present challenges when driving an EV. Public charging infrastructure and battery technology is continually improving, but planning is still required when taking a long trip. Many EV models are available with a range-per-charge of 150 to 250 miles with some high-end versions getting over 330 miles on a single charge.

If you have more than one car in your household, an EV could represent a great opportunity for your family to save money and improve the quality of the environment.

Do you want to pollute less and save money? EVs could be the solution for you. An EV uses electricity that is typically generated from sources that are cleaner than gasoline or diesel, they also produce no tailpipe emissions.

If you have off-street parking available an EV may be a good option for you. Plug-in electric vehicles do require charging that can be done with a standard 120V outlet or a 240V charger installed in your garage or driveway. Electric vehicle (EV) owners have multiple options for charging their vehicle at home. There are three common EV charging levels: Level One, Level Two and DC Fast Charge. You can find out more about charging levels below:

Level One Charging: Level One is the most basic charging level. If you choose this option, your EV will typically include an adapter that plugs into a typical 120-volt outlet. This is the easiest and cheapest charging solution, but it will take much longer to charge your EV – anywhere from 9 to 24 hours.

Level Two Charging: Level Two is about three to five times faster than Level One, but this level of charging often requires separate purchases and installation. The EV is plugged into a 240-volt outlet, which is used for larger appliances, like a clothes dryer. Most homes do not include a 240-volt outlet in garages, so the outlet must be installed by a licensed professional. You typically see Level Two charging stations at shopping malls, office buildings and multifamily community spaces. These could take 4 to 6 hours to charge your EV completely.

DC Fast Charging: DC Fast Charge stations are typically seen near high-traffic public areas, like gas stations, rather than in homes. This is the fastest charging level, with the ability to charge an EV at 80 percent in around 30 minutes. As EVs continue to become more popular, you can expect to see more DC Fast Charge stations throughout Florida.

If you’re charging an EV at home, please contact West Florida Electric at 800-342-7400. EV charging creates additional energy demand. The time of day you charge your EV can have an impact on the grid and your monthly energy costs. By letting us know about your EV charging levels, we can help ensure your home is prepared for the additional energy consumption.

What EV is right for you? Is it a battery electric vehicle (BEV or ARV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)?

BEV or AEV – have a battery and an electric motor instead of a gas tank and an internal combustion engine. Sometimes they are referred to as “all electric” or “plug-in” vehicles. They run entirely on electricity and do not produce any exhaust from the burning of fuel.
PHEV – have electric motors and a gas-powered internal combustion engine. Some operate exclusively, or almost exclusively on electricity until the battery is nearly depleted. Once that happens, the gasoline- powered engine turns on to provide power. PHEVs can be plugged in to charge the battery when the vehicle is not in use.
HEVs – have an electric motor and a gas-powered internal combustion engine and don’t have to be plugged in for charging. They can have a substantial range on a single tank of gas but still burn fossil fuel, produce carbon emissions, require trips to the gas station and scheduled engine maintenance. These are ideal for people with extended commutes and limited charging system access.

There is a federal income tax credit for up to $7,500 for the purchase of qualifying EVs. Consult your tax advisor to make sure you qualify as restrictions do apply and are subject to change without notice. Consumers who purchase qualified residential charging equipment before December 31, 2021, may receive a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,000. Permitting and inspection fees are not included in covered expenses.

If you would like to learn more about electric vehicles, WFEC has a variety of tools on the website that can help you calculate potential savings, learn more about EV models and chargers, explore offers and tax incentives, and identify charging stations nearby. You can find those by visiting westflorida.coop/electric-vehicles.