Driving electric from the mountains to the sea

There are dozens of EV models available in North Carolina. Click here to view ones you can get your hands on in our state.

There are multiple apps and websites to help people locate charging stations and plan trips. Popular ones include the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, PlugShare, A Better Routeplanner and Chargeway. Many EVs also have in-car navigation systems that incorporate charging stops.

No matter what charging station you stop at, the steps will generally be the same. You’ll plug the charger into your EV; follow prompts on the charging station’s display or network app to initiate charging (if available); keep up with your charging session on the display or in your app (if available); and then disconnect and move your car when done charging. Read more about public charging here.

You can plug your EV into a standard 120-volt outlet, which will provide about three to five miles of range per hour. Many EV owners, however, opt to install a Level 2 charging station at home. These typically add 25 to 35 miles of range per hour. They can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on the unit and electrical work required. Learn more about adding charging at home here.

“Smart” or networked charging stations are designed with interoperability standards that allow for communication between stations and are configured with a central network system. Networked stations provide access to station usage information and statistics, charging session notifications, the opportunity to implement fee structures for charging, and more. Many grant and funding programs now require networked stations. Non-networked stations can supply similar levels of power (so charging times should be comparable), but they lack connectivity features. However, for this reason they tend to have fewer recurring costs related to networking, be easier to install and operate, and be more durable.

If you have a networked charging station, you can charge a fee for usage. Pricing can be based on electricity consumed (in kilowatt-hours, or kWh) or time spent charging.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center compiles available incentives offered through state and utility programs. Learn more here.

“Smart” or networked charging stations are designed with interoperability standards that allow for communication between stations and are configured with a central network system. Networked stations provide access to station usage information and statistics, charging session notifications, the opportunity to implement fee structures for charging, and more. Many grant and funding programs now require networked stations. Non-networked stations can supply similar levels of power (so charging times should be comparable), but they lack connectivity features. However, for this reason they tend to have fewer recurring costs related to networking, be easier to install and operate, and be more durable.