Frequently Asked Questions

Is electricity cheaper than gas?

Yes! It costs about one-third of a gas vehicle based on LEU’s power costs ($.16/kWh) and average cost per gallon of gas ($5.00). 

An EV can travel on average 3-4 miles per kilowatt hour (kWh); therefore, a 50kWh battery pack, which is the average for a mid-size sedan, has a range of about 150 miles (conservative). To obtain LEU's residential charging rate, a separate meter is required. LEU’s residential charging rate is about $.16/kWh . A 50kWh battery would cost roughly $8 to fill up or $5.33 per 100 miles.

A gas vehicle with an average tank size of 14 gallons, and an average of 24mpg at Lodi’s fuel cost of $5.00/gal would cost $70 to fill up, or $20.83 per 100 miles.  That’s about 3.9x higher than fueling an EV in Lodi.

Go to the following link to calculate costs: https://chooseev.com/savings-calculator/

How can I find the right electric vehicle to meet my needs?

1. There are many factors to consider such as the distance of your daily commute and whether you have access to charging at home before purchasing an electric vehicle.  
2. PlugStar offers an online shopping assistant to help find an electric vehicle that meets your needs https://plugstar.com/

How many miles can you travel with an Electric Vehicle?

1. The number of miles you can travel on a single charge of an EV vehicle varies by make and model. Most current models can travel over 200 miles before they need to recharge. Some Tesla models can go up to 400 miles before needing a recharge.  
2. Check out https://plugstar.com/ for everything you need to know about different make and models of Electric Vehicles and which version is right for you.

Do I need to install a separate charger and how much does that cost?

1. Most cars come with a level 1 charger that plugs into a standard household 120v outlet. These chargers take a lot longer to complete a charge but may work for those who don’t drive much or don't drive very far.
2. Most consumers will upgrade to a level 2 charger for quicker, more powerful charging capability. The average cost is between $500-$1000 to install; however, most people install the chargers themselves because it’s very easy.  We offer up to a $500 rebate for the purchase of a charger, and up to a $500 rebate for the installation. 

Is there an expiration date for the State and Federal rebates?

Rebates and incentives are changing constantly.  For more information please visit: https://cleanvehiclerebate.org/eng/ev/incentives/state-and-federal

How do I charge an Electric Vehicle?

How you charge depends on your vehicle and whether you can install charging at home.

• Level 1 – This is often a standard household power outlet using a 120-volt connection. An EV plugged into this type of power will typically require overnight charging, or up to 20 hours for a full charge.
• Level 2 - It will take about 4 hours to fully charge a typical EV. Most public chargers and home chargers are Level 2 and customers, or a qualified electrician typically installs them. Many newer homes are equipped with Level 2 charging hookups.
• Level 3 - Tesla Superchargers & DC Fast Chargers are the examples of L3 charging equipment.

Are there places to charge a vehicle outside the home in Lodi?

Yes, there are currently several places to charge vehicles outside the home in Lodi. For a list of charging facilities, please visit: https://www.plugshare.com. As electric vehicles become more common in our area, we are seeing the number of businesses offering charging stations increase.