Understanding EV Charging: It's Just Like Doing Laundry!
I’m often asked "How quickly can this charge an EV?" However, when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), you need to shift your mindset from the traditional way of fueling gas cars. Unlike gas cars that require frequent trips to the pump, EVs make the most of the time your car is parked, often charging overnight at home or during the day at work. This convenience allows for a seamless and integrated approach to keeping your vehicle powered. Instead of viewing “fueling up” as another time consuming errand, think of EV charging as something that happens effortlessly in the background, just like doing laundry at home. Yes, just like doing laundry, only even easier because there’s no folding or clothes to put away.
Charging at Home = Washer/Dryer in Your Home or Apartment.
At home, you throw clothes in the washer, let it work while you do other things, and later move them to the dryer. Similarly, when you get home from work, you plug in your car, go about your evening and later that evening, or in the morning, you come back to a fully charged vehicle. The cost is usually negligible, much like running a load of laundry.
On-site Charging = On-site Washer/Dryer.
If you don't have in-unit laundry, many apartments offer on-site facilities. It’s a little less convenient, but having access to shared washers and dryers down the hall or in the basement still keeps your effort to a minimum. Similarly, shared EV chargers in apartment complexes might require parking a bit further away once a week, but it's manageable and cost-effective. Each task costs around $5, depending on how much you need to clean or charge.
Laundromat = Long Road Trips.
For long road trips, think of charging like using a laundromat. You spend a couple of hours away from home washing and drying everything while staying productive nearby. DC fast charging is no different. You plug your car in and while it charges you, can grab a quick lunch, replenish your stash of road trip snacks, or catch some of that last episode of Bridgerton you’ve been meaning to watch. And before you know it, you’re back on the road.
Much like laundromats, prices vary by location as does the time it takes. Your charging speed often depends less on the charger and more on your car - not every car charges at the same rate. Typically, with a DC fast charger you can be back on the road with minimal disruption in 20-30 minutes - roughly the same time the average grocery shopper spends in the store. It's also roughly the same time gas drivers spend at gas stations. While a gas-powered car requires less than 5 minutes to fill, the average stop is usually a total of 15 minutes to get gas, buy food, and use the bathroom, so in essence the charging of an EV is no different.
EV charging - it’s all about shifting your mindset.
If you can relate EV charging to doing laundry, you’ll discover that refueling your EV is easier than you think, because it usually happens while you’re doing something else. So instead of asking the question, how long does it take, consider the time you’re saving. Imagine never needing to wake up early for a gas station stop before work because your EV charges overnight. Plus, the financial perks are significant. EV drivers save about 60% on fuel costs, roughly $1,440 per year. And you'll skip those extra convenience store purchases, saving you even more.
Yes, as easy as doing laundry - but with the bonus of not having to fold or put clothes away.
About Kamala Vanderkolk.
Kamala's enthusiasm for electric vehicles began a decade ago and turned into a full-blown passion when she received her first EV in 2016. Since then, she's driven over 200,000 EV miles, exploring 47 states and 2 Canadian provinces with her children. Her dedication to EVs extended to legislation when she authored HB19-1298, a bill protecting EV charging station parking spaces, which became law in Colorado in 2019. A Fairfax, Virginia native and James Madison University alum, Kamala moved to Colorado in 2011. She enjoys skiing, paddleboarding, baking, and traveling with her two kids, revolving exchange students, and a dog named Lucy.
Kamala leads business development for National Car Charging in Colorado as well as the DC Metro and Virginia. To learn more about EV charging, each out to Kamala at kvanderkolk@nationalcarcharging.com or 703-725-8818.