Hidden costs of owning an electric car

Now with the popularity of electric cars on the increase and over half of the people supporting the total phase-out of gasoline automobiles, you may be one of the many who is contemplating an electric car (EV) for your next vehicle purchase. When it comes to buying an automobile, price has always been a major consideration. With so many criteria to pare down our searches, we’ve added another component to the mix: the type of gasoline used by the car. The whole expense of owning, operating, and repairing an automobile contributes to this aspect. The question of whether electric cars are excessively expensive up front has been debated, although this does not appear to be the case given the launch and acceptance of several EVs on the market. To add to the ease and effectiveness in owning and operating an Electric car, a Home Charger Station may be built, allowing the automobile to be recharged at the comfort of home at a much lower rate, and the complete benefits don’t stop there. Aside from the environmental benefits, driving an EV costs a fraction of what driving a gas powered vehicle costs.

Who pays for electric car charging stations

You may save money by charging your electric vehicle. Looking for savings for at home charging, especially those that can assist decrease your power cost, is the greatest approach to save money. Consumers can charge their electric car in their home at night may qualify for discounted power costs from several utilities. Otherwise, you may use services like ChargeHub to navigate the maze of public charging stations with a little forethought. However, on a long drive, for example, you’ll almost certainly need to pay for charge up. As a result, bear it in mind.

How Much Power Does My Charging Station Have?

Your charging time also depends on the maximum charging rate of the station you use. Although Level 3 direct current fast chargers (DCFC) have popped up with increasing frequency, don’t plan to automatically save time and money by powering up at these 480-volt stations. Even if your car can charge more quickly, it will only charge at your charge point’s maximum power rate, which can adversely affect charging time, which means you can end up paying more. If you have an at-home setup, all you have to do is pay to charge your electric car through your monthly electric bill. If you’re paying at a public charging station, you can pay as you go by simply swiping your credit or debit card and paying the specified rate, measured either by a cost per hour or per kWh. Many of these even charge by the minute, and costs vary depending on if you’re fully charging a large battery or not

Can I charge My EV at any charging station 

No you cannot charge your electric vehicle at any charging station as there are three different kinds of EV chargers like slow charger, moderate charger and fast charger. Every vehicle requires a different charger so if you want to charge your electric vehicle find the right charger first.

How to use EV charging stations

With ChargePoint, charging an electric vehicle (EV) is simple and convenient no matter where you are. Simply establish a free ChargePoint profile to gain access to hundreds or even thousands of charging stations throughout the ChargePoint system and numerous partner networks, and then use the app to locate one. Here’s how to get started charging once you’ve arrived at a charging station. Lift the connection out of the strap on the station by pressing the button here on connector. To begin charging, just plug the connection into your electric vehicle. Check to see if your electric vehicle is charging. Simply unhook and reconnect the connection to the station after charging is complete (if you’re using rapid charging, press the stop trying to press the charge button on the station continuously). After charging your vehicle depending on the units spent they will charge you the amount.

Different types of Electric Vehicle Chargers

While charging an electric car is the same as plugging any other electric item into a charging station, all-electric automobile supply technology or Electric vehicle Charging Stations are not. Some devices may require specialist installation, although others may be plugged into a normal wall outlet. The amount of time it takes to charge a device varies depending on the different type of chargers used. Let’s learn a little more about EV chargers before we go into EV charging stations.

  • AC Chargers: AC cables are slow chargers that take nearly 6-8 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle.
  • IEC-60309 is the most popular electric car charger in India. It complies with Bharat Electric vehicle standards and is also supported by the FAME-II scheme. AC chargers are sluggish chargers that take about 6-8 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle.
  • The second charger is the IEC-62196, which is known as a type-II connection and is used all around the world. This charger is designed to charge electric vehicles such as the Ather 450 E-scooter.
  • A basic three-pin connection with a 15-amp plug is the third charger type. This charger is useful for charging all E-scooters and E-rikshaws.

How do EV charging stations make money

Getting EV charging now is about more than simply preparing your business for this transition in transport; it’s also a clear way to drawing more customers and increasing profits.

Increase the amount of time clients spend at your business.

There is an apparent cross-selling potential for add-on products or services after EV drivers cease charging. EV drivers would spend much more time at your site if you add charging stations, whether it’s a rideshare drivers recharging throughout a lunch break or just a little leaguer topping off his batteries while grabbing food for the squad.

EVs can require anywhere between 20 minutes until six hours to charge, depending on what type of charger they use (depending on the average battery size). A rapid (DC) charging system is an excellent alternative for businesses, restaurants, and petrol stations, charging even for the largest Battery packs to full capacity in under one hour. However, because most EVs arriving at your site aren’t wanting to charge from 0% to 100%, a typical Level 2 (AC) recharging solution would suffice for most drivers, allowing users to add 25 miles of range every hour. A combination of Ac / Dc charging outlets is often the best option.

Attract more valued clients by attracting loyal ones.

EV drivers are more than twice as rich as the ordinary Indian, according to a survey, with a median household income of more than 10 to 20 lakhs. Your EV-driving consumers will spend more time at your site and purchase higher-end goods and services since they have more discretionary cash than gas-car drivers. Furthermore, once these drivers learn that your company provides this vital service, they are likely to become loyal, repeat clients.

Improve your public image right away.

EV charging stations also help your company get noticed—literally. Interactive maps on popular navigation services like Google Maps or Waze, as well as specialist charging apps like PlugShare, allow drivers to find local public charging stations. You may increase your brand’s visibility on these platforms and attract new consumers by placing charging stations on your premises.

Plus, by displaying your brand colors or logo on customized charging stations, you may substantially boost your business image by demonstrating to everyone who sees them that your company is openly dedicated to a more sustainable future.

Charge fees to your clients and visitors to make money.

The first thing you’ll need to figure out is how you’ll bill for charging before you can start generating money from your charging stations. You may establish your own charging costs and change them at any moment as the owner of the charging station. A set session start or connection cost, as well as a variable rate for the energy utilized, may be included.

Charging for the quantity of energy consumed (i.e., Rs.20/kWh) is a frequent practice. You can also set your own mark-up (for example, Rs. 45 per kWh). So, if a car arrives and requires 25 kWh of charging, the cost is:

Rs. 1125 = 25 kWh x Rs. 45/kWh

So, with only a few charging outlets, you may generate a monthly revenue of up to 2 to 3 lakhs at the most.

How much electricity is required to charge an electric car in India

One of the difficulties individuals have when it comes to electric vehicles is determining how much they need to operate. The cost of completely charging an electric car’s battery varies dramatically depending about this when and where it is done. You should also include in the amortised cost of purchasing and establishing a home charging station, as well as the rates your electricity provider charges.

  • The capacity of a battery frequently varies.
  • between 20 and 45 kWh If you impose a fee of
  • home, the price will be determined by the
  • your state’s electricity tariff, which
  • varies between Rs 8 and Rs 10 per unit Charging stations in Delhi cost Rs 4 to 4.5 kWh, while residential rates range between Rs 3 to 8 per unit. This implies that charging your EV at a charging station will cost you Rs 80-202, but the expense will be worth it.
  • But if you’re at a public charging station it would be around Rs 160 450, it will be more expensive.
  • home. In Mumbai, charging stations cost Rs 15 per unit, so you’ll end up paying Rs 300-675.

Electric car charging cost at home

A three pin plug or even a faster wallbox can be used at home. The first requires no installation because you’ll be using existing connections in your home, but because charging a car takes many hours, it’s preferable to do it overnight. On average, electricity costs 14 p per kWh. In comparison to the cost of charging at a charging station. The cost of charging your electric car at a charging station is more than charging it at home, therefore if you can recharge it at home, you will save a lot of money.

how much does it cost to install an electric car charging station at home

Establishing an electric vehicle charging station in home costs between Rs 55000 and Rs 200000, depending on the kind of charger desired and the cost of power. To match the low energy rates in India, it is advised that you use an IEC 60309 Industrial connection on both ends while charging your electric car at home.

how much does it cost to charge an ev at home

According to the Municipal corporation ( bmc Municipal Corporation, the expense of charging any electric car (EV) in Mumbai would be Rs 15 per unit (BMC). According to their estimations, a completely charged electric automobile will take between 20 to 30 units and cost the owner between Rs 200 and Rs 400. BESCOM costs between Rs 7.28 to Rs 8.90 each unit, which is greater than in Delhi but cheaper than in Mumbai. For a fully loaded EV to operate on Bengaluru’s roadways, this would come to Rs 240. For two wheeled vehicles.

Electric car charging at home

If you can recharge your electric car (or hybrid electric vehicles ( phevs hybrid) at home, you’ll have the best of both worlds: the most accessible and least expensive way to charge your automobile. According to our estimates, charging an electric automobile at home is substantially less expensive than filling up a typical gasoline or diesel vehicle. It’s unquestionably more handy, and almost probably less expensive (unless you’re able to constantly use free charging stations).

You’ll need off-road parking, such as a driveway or garage, as well as access to electricity. Unless you really want to waste 30 hours drip feed your electric car with a conventional three-pin outlet, you’ll also need a wallbox. Off-road charging may boost the overall value of your home as more investors buy in electric cars, especially with the looming 2030 ban on gasoline and diesel automobiles, and depending on where you reside. You could, but you probably won’t. With a standard 2.4kW three-pin wall socket, you’ll be looking at charging durations of more than 35 hours, depending on the automobile. Only to charge your batteries, that’s a full working week’s worth of time.

electric car charging home station

The cost of putting up an Electric vehicle charging point in India varies from Rs. 1 lakhs to Rs. 40 lakhs, depending on type of chargers used and the sum of funds required. Based on a much more general scenario and an availability of 250 KVA EV Stations, the below is a rough estimate.

  • The installation of a transformer and consequent substation, and also safety precautions, is required.
  • A 33/11KV cable and related equipment should be provided for metering/termination.
  • There should be enough civil works in place.
  • Electric cars should be able to enter and exit with ease, as well as charge.
  • Any certificates that may be necessary on a local level.

FAQ

1. How can I tell whether the charging point connector will work with my car?

The SAE J1772 connection is found on both sides of the road as said by the government and these charging stations are suitable for all-electric as well as plug-in hybrid automobiles.

2. Why would I need a level 2 electric vehicle c when my car already has a charger?

The ability you charge your electric vehicle up to five times faster than the car’s charger is the primary benefit of owning a tier 2 charging station (110V charger). This means your car will be completely charged every morning, and a quick charge will enable you to travel further.

3. What sets one charging station apart from another?

Charging stations are mainly distinguished by their power, cable length, aesthetics, and whether or not they may be located outside. It’s critical to understand your requirements before selecting the appropriate station.

4. What distinguishes smart charging stations from the competition?

Smart chargers provide you access to thousands of features that regular chargers lack. Some stations, for example, allow you to use an app on your smartphone to view charging statistics, start charging remotely and manage access to your charger.

5. How much electricity do I require for my station?

The amount of power required is determined by your electric or vehicle’s power acceptance. For most autos, a 30 A (7.2 kW) charger is sufficient. In the long term, a 40 A or 9.6 kW charging station may be advantageous, as subsequent generations of Automobiles may have higher power consumption than present EVs.

Conclusion

A well-maintained electric car will charge more quickly and sustain its charge for a longer period of time. Routine servicing on your electric vehicle can maintain your battery in excellent health and to save you money in the long run on pricey repairs. While charging electric cars is expensive, costs are expected to decrease in the coming years. Many automakers have pledged to make all or most of their new cars electric within next 10 to 15 years, and nearly 40 % of drivers think their next vehicle will most likely be an electric vehicle. As the number of electric vehicles on the road grows, competition between car and charging station makers will drive down costs, making EVs a viable alternative for millions more drivers.

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