EVs, Renewable Power, and Car Charging Stations

Electric vehicles (EVs) are now so popular that their demand has generated innovation from their manufacturers, driving down prices. When combined with EVs fuel efficiency, these price drops make these cars no- brainers for many environmentally and economically conscientious consumers.

However, charging all-electric cars comes with challenges. Discover how Nevada supports electric car purchasing with charging stations, the benefits of in-home charging, and why solar for the home sweetens the deal.

Finding an Electric Car Charging Station

Finding a charging station during long-distance travel makes all-electric vehicles a bit scary. Finding a gas station on a street corner or near an exit is a common occurrence.

While charging the car overnight may ensure completing the daily commute to the office, it doesn’t cover trips over 100 miles. Fewer charging stations means longer car rides, which can require some planning.

Thankfully, EV charging demand has increased since all-electric cars first emerged. In result, charging stations have sprouted up around the country. However, knowing how many stations an area has can help owners determine when they should charge their car.

Nevada EV Charging Stations

Nevada showed support for electric vehicles with the building of the Nevada Electric Highway, which, when completed, will have over 30 charging stations, making statewide travel possible for electric car owners. As of January 2020, this highway had 11 of its planned charging stations operating. Nine more should open throughout 2020.  

At-home Charging Stations

At-home charging helps decrease the daily commuter’s need for public charging stations. With an at-home charger, individuals can use their electric car for errands without adding wait times to charge their EVs, adding stress to their commutes over worries the battery may die, or having to drive out of their way to recharge at a public station. Instead, the car can charge at home during a lunch break or after coming home for the evening.

Powering your Car Charging Station With Solar for Your Home

While powering the car at home has many benefits, there are even more benefits for owners of EVs when paired with residential solar. They also reduce the demand for public charging stations.

These at-home charging benefits make all-electric vehicles the perfect commuter car. However, without solar for the home, an often overlooked fact is that unless the customer has paid the utility extra for renewable energy, the electricity still comes from nonrenewable fossil fuels, which fail to maximize each community’s potential benefits of EV charging stations, incentives, and use.

However, generating electricity with solar doesn’t need to cost more. Residential solar still costs less than traditional utility generated electricity.

Decreasing the Cost of Charging Your EV with Residential Solar

Electric vehicles save the average Nevada car owner $1,264 in gas each year. However, with the average electricity rate of 11.83¢/kWh, Nevadans would still spend between $443.62 and $638.82 annually for the electricity they used to charge their cars. Since residential solar costs less over the life of each homeowner’s array, Reno solar homeowners save thousands on electricity bills. 

Why EVs Don’t Decrease our Carbon Footprint as Effectively Without Solar

Decreasing fossil fuel consumption helps individuals decrease their carbon footprints. While electric cars reduce emissions from gas, electricity consumption increases.

In the six-state region of which Nevada is a part, NWPP, about 40 percent of electricity generation still comes from fossil fuels. However, if the homeowner doesn’t have solar on their roof, they have to pay extra for the utility to make sure the electricity used has renewable energy to offset it.  

On the other hand, with residential solar, the electricity used to power the car comes directly from the sun. With a solar array, fossil fuels only come into play if it doesn’t have 100 percent offset or battery backup.