Electric Vehicles

By Josh Filler, Manager of Engineering — Electric Operations

Electric vehicles are picking up speed. More than 45,000 electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. in April of 2021, according to data from the Argonne National Laboratory. This is a 350% increase from April 2020. Overall, more than 168,000 electric vehicles have been sold in the U.S. in 2021.

Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular way for drivers to lower their fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the technology is new, and confusion can still get in the way of understanding these benefits. By sorting out fact from fiction, you can better weigh your options and decide if an electric vehicle is right for you.

A common misconception surround electric vehicles is that a battery won't get you where you need to go. In fact, most new electric vehicles can travel more than 150 miles on a single charge — far more than the average American drives each day. There are nearly 43,000 public charging stations in the U.S. and several electric vehicle smartphone apps available to point you to the nearest one. It is true that charging stations tend to be concentrated in cities; in many areas it's much easier to find a gas station than an electric vehicle charging station. But it's also true that by installing a charging station at home, most drivers would never need to visit a public charging station.

Home Charging Options for Electric Vehicles

Charging an electric vehicle at home uses about the same amount of energy as an electric water heater. Taking a hot shower or charging your electric vehicle early in the morning or at night is hardly going to strain the grid! In fact, electric vehicles can help the grid become more efficient. For example, charging your car overnight helps balance power demands, offsetting midday peaks.

Electric vehicle owners have multiple options for charging their vehicle at home. There are three common electric vehicle charging levels: level one, level two, and DC fast charge.

Level One Charging

Level one is the most basic charging level. If you choose this option, your electric vehicle 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 electric vehicle.

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 electric vehicle 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.

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 electric vehicle at 80% in under 30 minutes. As electric vehicles continue to become more popular, you can expect to see more DC fast charge stations throughout Ohio.

If you’re charging an electric vehicle at home, please contact us at 1-800-255-6815. Charging an electric vehicle creates additional energy demand. The time of day you charge your vehicle can have an impact on the grid and your monthly energy costs. We can help ensure your home is prepared for the additional energy consumption, and discuss our electric vehicle level 2 charger rebate.