So you‘re considering an electric vehicle (EV) and want to know what ownership is really like here in the Constitution State? Well buckle up, because Connecticut happens to be one of the most EV-friendly states in the country in terms of incentives, charging infrastructure expansion, and overall adoption rates.
As an experienced data analyst and long-time EV owner myself here in CT, I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide examining all the costs, infrastructure availability, incentive programs, and ownership experiences to know about before taking the all-electric plunge. I‘ll provide you with insider knowledge and expert insights to prepare you for seamless transition to emissions-free driving.
Quick Takeaways Up Front
I know you‘re probably skimming first before committing the time to read this entire guide, so here‘s the 30 second summary:
- CT has 1,700+ public charging ports and counting across the state with ample expansions planned by 2025
- Between the used car rebates, federal tax credit, and incentive programs, CT EV buyers can save $10,000-$13,000
- Driving electric costs about half as much per mile compared to gas cars when factoring lower electricity rates and reduced maintenance
- The Tesla Supercharger network already covers all major highways in the state for road trip charging needs
- Supporting incentives like the CHEAPR rebate program, public charging expansions, and new models are driving record-high EV adoption year over year
So in essence, Connecticut has clearly established itself as an EV leader on the East Coast in terms of charging availability and purchase incentives. And as more affordable models like the Chevy Equinox EV roll out, electric driving will soon be accessible to more residents statewide.
Alright, now that I‘ve grabbed your attention, let‘s dive deeper into the EV ownership experience and what you can expect here in Connecticut!
EV Charging Infrastructure Rapidly Expanding
As of January 2023, Connecticut has over 1,700 public charging ports available across nearly 1,300 locations. This includes over 340 DC Fast Charging ports capable of adding 20+ miles of range per minute. While the infrastructure tends to be more concentrated in urban areas and along major highways right now, strategic investments from government and utilities are helping to fill gaps quickly.
Charging Hot Spots Currently
The chart below summarizes the metro regions currently with the highest concentration of charging ports available:
| Metro Area | Public Ports | DCFC Ports | Tesla Superchargers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 462 | 97 | 75 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | 430 | 124 | 88 |
| New Haven | 317 | 90 | 64 |
DCFC = DC Fast Charging
So as you can see, Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven tend to have the most charging availability. And that trend follows with EV adoption rates as well, with most electric vehicle registrations concentrated in those metro regions. However, strategic state and utility investments focused specifically on underserved areas will help close geographic gaps in the coming years.
Major Investments Driving Expansion
In 2021, Connecticut was granted $63.6 million from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. This money will be used over the next four years specifically to build out fast charging infrastructure covering interstate corridors and highways. The funding stipulates that charges must deployed along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (like I-95, I-91, and the Merrit Parkway) at 50 mile intervals to enable long distance electric travel.
Additional funding allocated through Connecticut‘s 2019 settlement with Volkswagen is also being used to install community charging solutions in downtown areas, workplaces, multi-unit dwellings and disadvantaged communities not directly located along major travel routes. Altogether, these two funding sources will help double Connecticut‘s fast charging capacity by 2025 while significantly improving charging access in currently underserved regions.
EV Charging Levels and Speeds
It‘s helpful background knowledge to be aware of the different charging levels and associated speeds as you consider where and how you might charge in your daily routine as an EV owner.
Level 1
This is the most basic plugging an EV into a normal 120V household outlet. Very slow and mainly used for overnight charging at home. Adds about 3-5 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 2
Level 2 charges much faster by using a 240V connection like those used for large appliances like dryers. Many public stations and workplace chargers are Level 2. Ideal for daily commuter charging while you‘re parked at work. Adds 10-25 miles of range per hour.
DC Fast Charging
The fastest option, direct current (DC) fast charging bypasses the onboard charger to pump power directly into the battery. Capable of delivering 50-350 kW, DC fast charging can add approximately 20 miles of range per minute at peak charging speed. This enables long distance road trip driving.
Now that you understand those basics, let‘s take a look at…
Workplace Charging
Installing charging infrastructure for employees is a win-win for Connecticut businesses. Over 340 workplaces in the state have charging available, supplying employees with over 1,100 ports.
Under Connecticut‘s EVConnect Fleet program, businesses can qualify for significant funding assistance to install stations in their parking lots for staff. Benefits for participating workplaces include:
- Employee Retention – Provide a valued extra perk for staff at no cost to employer
- Recruitment Aid – Attract top talent by advertising EV charging availability
- Lower Fleet Costs – Electrify company vehicles to save substantially on fuel and maintenance
- Branding – Promote corporate responsibility and environmental commitments
So if you‘re about to dive into an EV yourself, I‘d urge chatting with your company‘s facilities manager to see what charging options they already offer or what might be in the pipeline. Charging while you‘re already parked at the office for 8 hours makes keeping your EV powered up effortless!
Alright, so workplaces are rapidly adding charging capability across Connecticut. But what about public charging? Where can you top up around town or on a road trip?
Finding Public Charging Locations
The great news is that apps have made finding nearby charging stations an absolute breeze no matter where you are in Connecticut. A few apps I recommend downloading:
- PlugShare – The most comprehensive crowd-sourced app showing all stations, reviews, prices and photos. Excellent map search features.
- ChargeHub – Also shows real-time station status info like ports available or in use. Helpful when rolling up on a station.
- ChargePoint – Good for checking spots within the ChargePoint network, charging speed capabilities, and initiating a charging session.
- Apple Maps – Recently updated native Apple Maps now highlights nearby stations and indicates port types too. Quick if just need something nearby fast.
And remember the golden rule for seamless public charging – always check plug types and maximum power capabilities ahead of time before pulling up to a station with your EV! This ensures your charging session goes smoothly. Connecticut‘s DC fast charging expansion is still underway, so CCS/SAE combo plugs are not yet universal. The last thing you want is rolling up expecting a fast charge but finding incompatible ports or lower power Level 2 plugs. So plan ahead!
I mentioned earlier that apps show all public stations, but another great backup resource is the Alternative Fuels Data Center station locator map at this link. It too has helpful filtering tools and will show over 1,600 statewide charging locations.
Alright, so Connecticut offers robust and rapidly improving public and workplace charging infrastructure to keep your electric vehicle powered on the go. But how much does charging actually cost? What about total operating costs compared to driving a gasoline car? Let‘s take a look!
EV Ownership Cost Breakdown
This table summarizes ownership costs over the first 5 years of buying an EV versus an equivalent gasoline-powered vehicle:
| Cost Factor | Electric Vehicle | Gasoline Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase / Lease Price | $36,000 | $32,000 |
| Fueling Cost | $4,500 | $11,250 |
| Maintenance | $2,500 | $4,000 |
| Total* | $43,000 | $47,250 |
*Incl. purchase price, fueling electricity/gas, maintenance; excl. tax credits & incentives
Let‘s quickly break this comparison down further:
- Upfront purchase or lease payment is higher for EVs currently, about $4k more in this example
- Electricity to charge costs ~60-70% less than fueling a similar gas car
- EVs have fewer mechanical parts so require less maintenance
- Total 5 Year Cost is $4,250 LOWER for the EV – and that‘s before incentives!
Speaking of incentives…
Federal and State Incentive Savings
On top of the lower operating costs, Connecticut drivers can stack on even more EV savings through generous federal, state and local incentives and rebates.
In total, CT EV buyers can save $10,000 to $13,000 thanks the programs highlighted below:
| – Federal EV Tax Credit | $7,500 |
| – State Sales/Excise Tax Exemption | $2,200 |
| – Eversource Charger Rebate | $500 |
| – CHEAPR Used EV Rebate | $3,000 |
| Total Savings* | $13,200 |
|---|
*Max totals requires qualifying for full Federal credit + state sales tax waiver + max CHEAPR used EV rebate funded at $3k/vehicle in 2023.
As you can see, buying an used EV in CT is excellent from a cost perspective after factoring incentives. Effective price drops to near what you‘d pay for a basic no-frills gas car without any haggling! Hard to beat getting modern amenities and tech with an EV for an economical price while saving on gas and maintenance.
Now that you‘ve got all the essential financial ownership considerations covered, let‘s shift gears and talk more about the actual driving experience…
The Electric Lifestyle
Here‘s what you can expect adapting to an all-electric lifestyle:
Easy Overnight Charging – Plugging in at home overnight tops you off for full daily range each morning without having to visit gas stations ever. It‘s so much more convenient than pumping gas!
Advanced Driver Assist Tech – Most new EVs come packed with autonomous safety features like adaptive cruise, auto lane centering, collision avoidance braking, etc at more affordable prices than gas models. These make your highway commute much less stressful!
Low-Stress Road Trips – The Tesla Supercharger network already enables fast charging along all major Connecticut driving routes down to NYC, Boston, the Cape, Vermont and more. So long distance travel is still feasible like with a gas vehicle!
Silent & Nimble Performance – No noisy engine means a very peaceful cabin and enhanced driving experience. The instant torque also makes EVs fun and thrilling to drive!
Automatic Software Upgrades – Modern EVs have huge center touchscreens that receive over-the-air software updates. So your EV will get the latest features and apps without having to visit a dealership.
Show Off Your Tech Savvy – Let‘s be honest, EVs still draw positive attention and compliments in parking lots from strangers curious to chat about your awesome high-tech car! So be prepared to potentially answer questions from admirers.
Overall, driving electric is easy thanks to home overnight charging and offers a superior driving experience too. The convenience and low stress of waking up to a "full tank" daily while saving money is why most EV drivers say they‘ll never go back to gas cars again!
EV Models To Watch in 2023
I always get asked next – okay great, but what EV should I actually buy? There‘s an exciting wave of more affordable electric crossovers and SUVs hitting dealerships this year that offer more range than ever before.
Here are the top upcoming models I‘m most eagerly anticipating in 2023 based on early pricing and specs:
2023 Chevy Equinox EV – 250 mi range, AWD, $30k starting price before tax credit! Finally a compact SUV with ample range at a truly mainstream sticker price.
2023 Volkswagen ID.4 – Up to 275 mi range for extended variant. $37k starting price drops to ~$30k net for buyers in Northeast states with incentives.
2023 Kia Niro EV – Stylish small crossover with tidy dimensions for easy parking. 251 mi range on RWD variant. Starts at $39,990 MSRP.
I expect these three more affordable EV SUVs with 250+ mile range options to comprise a sizable share of new registrations here in Connecticut through 2025 as buyers shift to more practical form factors.
The recently launched Ford F-150 Lightning has also been a massive hit already, with over 200,000 reservations placed nationwide. There‘s big demand for an electric workhorse pickup truck!
Now beyond 2025 as battery costs keep decreasing, buying electric makes sense for nearly all mainstream car segments. But in the next couple years, compact and mid-size electric crossovers will lead adoption. The added ride height and AWD options appeal to New England weather conditions too!
If you‘re still hesitant to jump into EV ownership, just test drive any of the models mentioned in this guide. I assure you the instant torque and smooth powerful acceleration will put a smile on your face! And when you pair that exhilarating driving experience with major ownership cost savings and Connecticut‘s charging convenience, going electric really is a no brainer.
I hope you‘ve found this EV guide useful planning your own transition away from gas vehicles. Let me know if any other Connecticut-specific ownership questions come up! I‘m always happy to chat EVs to help spread the word.
Happy and safe travels on the open electric road ahead!
