Is It Free To Charge An Electric Car?
Electric cars offer incredible benefits. With new rapid chargers and great mileage, more and more people are switching to electric vehicles as the days of only being able to travel short distances are over. As well as helping the environment, what other benefits do electric cars offer? In this article, we will answer the hot topic question you all want to know the answer to: can you get free charging points for an electric car? One of the clear benefits to electric cars over petrol or diesel is the price of fuel costing more than electricity. Even with electricity bills going up in price, a petrol or diesel car is still more expensive. Electric vehicle owners benefit from this price difference.
Electric Car Charging Stations, Are They Free?
What’s the catch? It’s not always free! Home charging points still cost money and can be added to your electricity bill. However, some car parks and garages offer free electric car chargers for rapid charging. So, if you are on your lunch or parked at work, you could find a charging station that offers free electric car charging and top up your car for free! Free charging is offered to encourage people to switch to electric cars over petrol or diesel.
You won’t always find free chargers, but they are available. You should still expect to pay for your electricity as a whole. Find out more information on how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle.
How To Find Electric Vehicle Charge Points?
If you’re an electric vehicle (EV) owner, chances are you’re always on the lookout for places to charge your car. While there are a growing number of public EV charging stations, it can still be tough to find one when you need it. Here are a few tips to help you find an EV charging point when you’re out and about.
1. Check Charge Point Maps
There are a number of websites and apps that show the location of EV charging points. PlugShare, for example, is a popular option that includes information on over 100,000 public and private charging stations in North America, Europe, and Australia. Simply enter your location and it’ll show you a list of nearby charging points, complete with reviews, photos, and details on what type of charger is available. For us UK folks, though, ZapMap is your best friend for finding local and non-local charge points!
2. Ask Fellow EV Owners
If you know other EV owners in your area, they can be a great resource for finding charging stations. Ask them where their favourite spots are and whether they have any tips to share. You can also try joining an EV owners group on Facebook or another online community. Be warned though, those Facebook groups can be rough if you get on their bad side!
3. Look For Businesses That Cater To EV Owners
Some businesses, such as hotels and restaurants, offer EV charging points as a perk for customers. If you’re planning a trip, do some research ahead of time to see if your destination has any EV-friendly businesses!
4. Call Ahead To Confirm
Even if you’ve found a charging station on a map, it’s always a good idea to call ahead to confirm that it’s still in operation and available for use. This is especially important for private stations, which may have changed hands or been taken out of service since the map was last updated.
5. Be Prepared For Emergencies
It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case you can’t find a charging station when you need one. If possible, keep a portable charger in your car so you can charge up your battery if you get stranded. And make sure you know where the nearest public charging station is located, just in case.
Tags : automatic, electric car, electric cars, EV