Where can I get more information about EVs?
For more information about an EV, such as pricing, charging specifications, batteries, safety and other vehicle details, visit the manufacturer's Website or contact their local authorized dealership.
How far can I drive an EV?
The driving range for BEV can be up to 100 miles. Typical all-electric range for PHEV is 10 to 40 miles, after which the gasoline engine will work to extend the driving range and additional 300 miles. PHEVs can also be filled up via the gas tank and driven like a traditional gasoline-powered car. The rule of thumb is that vehicle batteries provide about three to four miles of driving range for each kilowatt-hour of energy stored. For more information on EV range comparisons, click here
What are the installation costs for charging equipment?
Installation costs are determined by the type of charging station selected and any upgrades that may be needed to your home's electrical system. To receive estimates of installation costs or the cost of charging station equipment, simply contact an equipment manufacturer. A licensed electrician can provide costs for any needed electrical system upgrade.
What is the inspection and permitting process for installing a charging station in my garage?
Contact a licensed electrician and your local township or municipality to install charging equipment and to ensure compliance with all local inspections and permits.
What resources are available to assist me during an emergency when driving my EV?
Contact any EV manufacturer for available options.
How does the environmental impact of an EV compare to a gasoline-powered vehicle?
Any vehicle running solely on electricity has zero tailpipe emissions. That means that any emissions associated with an EV will come from producing the electricity to charge the battery. With New Jersey's current average electricity sources, driving an EV has an over 70% reduction in annual emissions compared to the gasoline alternative. If you had a 100% renewable energy source such as a solar array, the annual emissions of your EV would be reduced to zero.
Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center: Emissions from Electric Vehicles (energy.gov)
What are the maintenance needs of an EV?
Maintenance requirements for EVs can be significantly different than those of conventional vehicles. Consult your vehicle's owners manual or manufacturer for specific maintenance needs.
What is the process for installing EV stations in multi-family units?
Installation of EV charging stations in multi-family units, such as apartment complexes, is typically more complex and generally requires additional work to ensure that the electric facilities are properly equipped to handle EV charging. If your multi-family unit has common indoor (e.g., a parking garage) or outdoor parking spots, we recommend that you contact the Homeowners' Association (HOA) of your building to plan for the installation of EV charging equipment. If you park on a city street, you should contact your municipality about their plans for public parking EV charging stations.
As a Fleet Operator, why should I be interested in the EV market?
As a Fleet Manager, adding electric vehicles to your fleet's mix can lower your fleet's operational costs. Auto manufacturers are increasingly responding to the market demand and global interest of reducing oil dependency, greenhouse gases and fuel cost, by introducing a range of energy-efficient and low-emission electric-powered vehicles. This new wave of electric vehicles is great news for Fleet Managers because EVs can have fewer moving parts, are more energy efficient and are potentially less costly to operate and maintain.
How long will my EV battery last?
EV batteries are generally designed to last the life of the vehicle. Check with the EV manufacturer about battery warranties.
What are my charging options?
Two types of EV charging currently meet national Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards:
Level 1 charging uses a standard, grounded, three-prong, 120-volt outlet with a ground fault circuit interrupter and also requires a 15- to 20 amp fuse or circuit breaker. The typical charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 8 to 10 hours at Level 1. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with larger batteries and extended electric driving range may take as much as 12 to 21 hours to fully charge at Level 1.
Level 2 charging requires the installation of a 240-volt charging station (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment or EVSE) on a dedicated 40-amp circuit. Level 2 charging will typically charge an EV in about half the time of Level 1 and uses about the same amount of electricity as a central air conditioning unit when charging. This type of station may require upgrades to the home or building's electrical service.
Manufacturers also are working on fast-charging technologies that can recharge certain types of EVs in 30 minutes or less.
Who do I call to have an EV charging station installed for me?
Consult a licensed electrical contractor to plan and perform the electrical work needed to install and wire your charging station. Most EV auto manufacturers or authorized dealerships are able to recommend the type of residential charging station required and a qualified contractor. Or, visit the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to find a licensed electrical contractor.
When is the best time to charge my vehicle?
While you can charge your EV at any time, it is recommended that you charge your EV between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. when there is less demand for electricity.
Can I charge my vehicle on a regular 120-volt outlet at home?
Yes, EVs can be charged on a standard 120-volt outlet. However, depending on the type of EV, your daily driving distance, and your charging time, you may find that Level 2 charging is a better fit for your lifestyle. This type of station may require upgrades to the home or building's electrical service.
How much will it cost to charge my EV?
The cost of charging an EV is different for everyone and will depend on several factors such as the type of EV, the size of your vehicle's battery, your electricity rate, and the distance you drive. You will be billed at Atlantic City Electric's current price per kilowatt hour, or the price per kilowatt hour of your competitive supplier, plus Atlantic City Electric's delivery charges.
With a smart Level 2 charger, you can charge your EV much faster than a standard Level 1 charger using a wall outlet, adding up to 25 miles of range per hour of charging. You can also set charging reminders, schedule charging, and track energy usage right from your charger app.
Go to the EPA's webpage for more info on electric vehicles and chargers at the following link: Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging | US EPA
This depends on the size of your EV's battery and how depleted the battery is. Fully recharging your battery can take anywhere from 3 to 12 hours.
Source: All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov)
A qualified electrician must install your Level 2 or DC fast charger for you. You can find a local, qualified electrician in the same way you would for any other electrical work you might need. There may be some additional questions you should ask a potential electrician.
Are you licensed and insured? It is important to make sure the electrician is licensed in the state of New Jersey and carry insurance in case of any incidents.
Have you installed EV charging stations in the past? Most electricians will be able to perform an installation, but it may be reassuring to know they have experience with EV charging equipment. Some professional services search engines such as Angie's List and Home Advisor now have search forms specific to EV charging installation services to help you narrow down your options.
A recommended practice is to obtain more than one estimate to ensure you're getting accurate information and pricing.
What is the difference between a hardwired charger and one that plugs in?
Your electrician may ask if you would like to install a charger that is hardwired or plugged in. A plug-in charger will require the installation of a high-powered outlet, like the outlet your dryer uses. A plug-in charger may offer greater flexibility for future needs. Alternatively, you can choose to hardwire your charger directly to your home, which is typically a more permanent option.
Will I need a permit for my EV charger installation?
You may. Talk with your electrician about the permit requirements for your project. This could increase the project cost, but it is a requirement for your EV charger installation dependent on the scope and location of your residence.
Why is Atlantic City Electric offering this program?
Atlantic City Electric's EVsmart program launched in December 2021, as part of an effort to support New Jersey's goal of putting 330,000 electric vehicles to the road by 2025. The program, which runs until 2026, will help to incentivize "make-ready" electric infrastructure needs for customers looking to install electric vehicle charging stations across Atlantic City Electric's territory. The program was established by the BPU Order released February 17, 2021.
What qualifies as “make-ready” work?
Make-ready work includes the pre-wiring of electrical infrastructure at a parking space, or set of parking spaces, to facilitate easy and cost-efficient future installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, including, but not limited to, Level 2 and DC fast chargers. It includes expenses related to service panels, junction boxes, conduit, wiring, and so on, necessary to make a particular location able to accommodate EV charging equipment on a "plug and play" basis. Once make-ready work is completed, incentives can be paid to those customers who connect eligible charging stations at their site and share charging data in accordance with the program data requirements.
How is EVsmart being funded?
Atlantic City Electric will seek recovery of the costs of the EVsmart program from customers through electric service rates in a future regulatory rate review with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
EVsmart includes six distinct programs: Residential, Multifamily, Workplace, Fleet, Public Level 2, and Public DC Fast Charging programs.
The incentives vary by program and are intended to cover costs associated with preparing a site for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, referred to as "make-ready." Please consult the EVsmart program manual for details including eligibility and incentive levels for each program.
Yes. Under the Multifamily Program, 20% of the charging ports supported by the program will be sited at buildings in overburdened communities and may be eligible to receive rebates covering up to 100% of installation costs, up to $6,700 per smart Level 2 port.
You must be an active Atlantic City Electric electrical customer with an existing account number or have requested a new service with Atlantic City Electric on your new construction project and are planning to install at least one electric vehicle charger. Only installations occurring on or after February 17, 2021, are eligible. Qualified charging equipment must be connected to one of the program's approved networks listed in the program manual. These network connections will be used to share charging data with Atlantic City Electric and its partners as outlined in the program manual. Both residential and commercial customers must make sure installed smart chargers remain connected to the network.
You can apply by reviewing the eligibility requirements and completing the application. Apply for the rebate here at any time.
New users will be prompted to create an online application account. If submitting more than one application, you should use the same user account to create each separate application.
In addition to completing an application, the customer must submit required supporting documentation depending on program type. If applicable, documentation must meet the following standards:
The Atlantic City Electric EVsmart team will review applications in the order in which they are received. As your application progresses through the review process, your application status will be updated. This updated status can be found on the application portal and will be accompanied by an email detailing any required next steps.
The program manual includes the latest list of approved charging equipment and networks.
You can purchase an approved smart Level 2 charger directly from a manufacturer, their installers and network providers, or through an online retailer.
DC fast chargers are available to commercial electrical customers for installation at sites eligible for the Public DCFC Program. DCFC's draw much larger loads that often warrant additional design considerations, so working with electrical designers and contractors that have DCFC experience is highly recommended.
Charging an EV will increase your home's energy use, so your bills are likely to rise. However, it is typically cheaper to charge your electric vehicle than to fill up a gas tank, so your increased electrical bills should be offset by eliminated costs at the gas pump and lead to an overall savings.
Source: Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging | US EPA
The charger location needs to have access to your home's Wi-Fi signal. In some cases, you may require a Wi-Fi range extender to increase the range of your Wi-Fi signal to reach your garage or other location of your charging station. If you continue to experience issues contact the charger manufacturer for additional troubleshooting steps.
