Thinking of purchasing an EV? Already have one? Then this blog will help answer frequently asked questions. From why to charge your EV at home to when is the best time. Read along to maximize your charging power!
Ditching your gas-powered vehicle for an electric vehicle (EV) is a great way to lower the cost and emissions of getting from A to B. If you didn't know, charging an EV with solar panels is a next-level life hack for saving money, bypassing public charging stations, and all but eliminating your carbon footprint.
With the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 creating substantial incentives for EVs, solar, and battery, there’s no better time to set up a solar powered charging station right in your own home.
Whether you already have an EV, solar panels, or neither, we’ll discuss your options for charging an EV with solar panels.
Charging Your EV with Solar Power
Around 80% of EV owners have a charging station in their own home. There are three main benefits to pairing that EV charger with solar panels:
- Lower charging costs
- Zero carbon emissions
- Convenience of charging at home
Historically, drivers have been at the mercy of gas prices and could only control how much they drive and, to some extent, how fuel efficient their vehicle is. But that’s no longer the case. By going solar, they can control the cost of the fuel itself.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average driver puts on 13,476 miles per year, or nearly 37 miles per day. By charging an EV with solar panels, a Tesla Model 3 driver getting 3.33 miles per kWh would spend $1,500 less per year compared to filling a gas car that gets 30 miles per gallon at around $4 per gallon.
Charging an EV with solar is also cheaper than charging with grid energy or public EV chargers.
Home Solar Is the Cleanest Way to Charge an EV
The classic argument against electric vehicle charging is that we can’t control where the energy comes from, and that’s true. If your local grid or public charging stations are powered by fossil fuels, then so is your EV.
For reference, the US Energy Information Administration estimates that renewables will generate 24% of electricity in the US in 2023. The good news is that your EV is capable of running on clean energy, and will do so increasingly as renewables continue to increase their share of production.
For now, charging with home solar is the only surefire way to charge your EV on clean energy and eliminate your vehicle emissions.
Charging Your EV at Home Is Convenient
Next to cost, one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership is range anxiety. In other words, people are worried that charging stations are too few and far between.
Imagine waking up every morning to a fully-fueled vehicle and never having to wait in line at a public charging or smelly gas station. Pretty sweet setup, right? Now imagine paying the lowest possible price to charge your EV by pairing it with solar.
All things considered, charging an EV with solar is cheap, clean, and convenient.
Stay tuned as Part 2 of this blog will come soon focusing on Tax Credits, Used EV Vehicles, and Requirements.
Recourses from this article: Charging Your EV With Solar | Solar.com