Get Charged Up for Savings: ENERGY STAR Certified EV Chargers
As concern for the climate and interest in clean energy continues to grow, so does the demand for electric vehicles in the U.S., with sales projected to reach 26 million vehicles by 2030. This growing interest is unsurprising given that fully electric vehicles are quieter than gasoline powered vehicles and produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping you significantly decrease your carbon footprint.
While electric vehicles are a well-known eco-friendly transportation option, what’s lesser known is that they can also help you save energy and money compared to a gas-powered car. For every mile driven using electricity, you can save half of what it costs to drive a similar gasoline powered vehicle – which adds up to fuel savings of about $800 to $1,000 annually, plus $4,600 saved on maintenance over the lifetime of the vehicle.
What’s more, when drivers combine the superior efficiency of an electric vehicle with energy-efficient EV charging, those energy and cost savings are compounded. A driver that charges their vehicle using an ENERGY STAR certified EV charger will use 40% less energy to power their car compared to a driver that charges their car with a standard EV charger. With energy savings that significant, it’s no wonder more drivers are opting for the convenience of charging their car at home.
If you’re looking to reap the benefits of driving electric and installing your own efficient EV charger, here are some key tips to keep in mind:
Find out which type of charger best suits your needs: To determine what type of charger is right for you, you’ll need to consider how many miles you drive daily as well as whether your vehicle is fully electric or a gas and electric hybrid. If you have a plug-in hybrid car that only goes roughly 15-30 miles on pure electricity, you can rely on a standard 120V outlet and won’t need to upgrade your electrical panel as these cars can be served by a charger (provided with the car) that plugs directly into a standard electrical outlet. Fully electric vehicles, however, have large batteries and ranges of 100-400 miles and require a more powerful, 240V charger. These provide much faster charging and will allow for daily use of your EV, without worrying about running out of charge. Look for an ENERGY STAR certified EV charger to maximize your savings!
Make sure your home is electric ready: If you’re looking to charge your vehicle at home, you’ll want to make sure your home is electric ready and able to handle the new electrical demands from charging your EV. The extent of the electric upgrades your home might need varies depending on your circumstances, but getting ahead of the game and upgrading your electric panel and making sure you have the necessary wiring will prepare you to install an efficient EV charger at home.
Take advantage of incentives to lower costs: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, there are lots of incentives to take advantage of that will help lower the cost of driving electric. Whether you need to upgrade your home’s electric panel, install an energy-efficient EV charger, or save on purchasing an electric vehicle, there are multiple incentives you can take advantage of that will make driving electric more affordable. In addition to these federal tax incentives, your local utility may also offer rebates, and additional state rebates are anticipated in late 2023.
To learn more information on how you can prepare for driving electric, visit the ENERGY STAR website, and check out our Ask the Experts article on EVs.
ENERGY STAR® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 25 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for guidance on saving energy, saving money, and protecting the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Visit www.energystar.gov today.
