EV drivers will need a reliable way to charge their vehicles. Public charging stations will need to be built and maintained to support demand. Private chargers can be installed at residential or commercial sites like apartments, office buildings and parking garages.
If your community wants to invest in a public charging station, the first step is to find out whether there are existing infrastructure resources that can be leveraged for future EV infrastructure needs. For example, using a utility-private partnership model can help communities achieve economies of scale for installation and maintenance costs.
A community can also identify future EV adoption goals and use them to guide its investment in EV charging infrastructure. For example, communities may be able to take advantage of utility-private incentives offered by power companies as well as federal funding opportunities for EV charging station build outs. The State and Federal Laws and Incentives tool on EV Ready provides an easy way to see what options are available in your area.
The next step is to determine the type of EV charging station infrastructure that will meet your community’s goals. The EV Ready website has a list of different types of EV charging stations, and a search tool can be used to see what makes and models are available in your area.
You may also want to learn more about different Build your EV charging hardware manufacturers. The Hardware Types page allows you to filter by manufacturer, type of hardware and level of charging output. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can use the EV Ready Hardware Selection tool to see how much each type of station costs to install in your community.
Building an electric vehicle requires a lot of research, planning and work, but the end result is a high-performance, road-ready vehicle that you can customize to fit your lifestyle. Choosing the right components will ensure you have a safe, reliable and comfortable car that fits your budget and driving habits.
Buying a ready-made electric vehicle can be a cost-effective option for many people, especially when considering the lower operating and maintenance costs of an EV compared to a gas-powered car. Additionally, purchasing a new electric car may offer you incentives such as reduced registration fees or even free parking at some locations.
If you’re looking to teach your students about mechanics and electricity, there are all-in-one kits that make it easy for schools to get started with their own EV lab. The Switch EV Lab, for example, is an all-inclusive program that comes with curriculum and student-ready vehicles. The kit is flexible for a variety of classes and is designed to be adaptable for any classroom space or tools. You can also choose the number of vehicles and levels of curriculum support you’d like. If you’re a teacher, check out the Educators Guide to learn more.