So you‘re considering an electric vehicle. Smart move! I‘m here to give you an in-depth breakdown of everything you need to know about owning an EV in the great state of Georgia. With the right information in hand, you can determine if going electric is the right choice for your lifestyle and budget.
Charging Infrastructure Continues Expanding
Access to charging stations is often a top concern. Fortunately, Georgia‘s EV charging network expands each year to keep pace with rising adoption. Statewide, there are over 1,500 public charging stations with more than 3,800 total outlets. That‘s up 15% from 2020 and enough to support over 30,000 EV drivers.
Here‘s the connector type breakdown across Georgia:
| Connector | Outlets | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| J1772 | 2,890 | 75% |
| CCS | 681 | 18% |
| Tesla | 210 | 5% |
| CHAdeMO | 70 | 2% |
As you can see, J1772 and CCS dominate. These stations have proliferated rapidly in metro Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Macon and elsewhere. Conveniently, over 40% of Georgia‘s public connectors offer free charging.
Apps like PlugShare allow you to locate stations along your routes. This makes range anxiety a thing of the past!
Weighing the Charging Options
There are three common levels of EV charging in Georgia. The speed and costs vary significantly:
- Level 1 (110V outlet): Slowest – ~5 miles of range per hour
- Level 2 (240V outlet): Faster – ~25 miles per hour
- DC Fast Charge: Quickest – 80% charge in ~30 minutes
Here‘s a comparison:
| Charge Level | Speed | Cost | Where Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Slow | $1-2 per full charge | Home |
| Level 2 | Medium | $8-12 per full charge | Home, public |
| DC Fast | Very Fast | ~$15 per full charge | Public stations |
As you see, charging at home with a Level 1 or Level 2 station is most affordable. Installing a Level 2 station also unlocks faster charging speeds for just a few extra dollars per month.
EV Charging Costs Vary by Vehicle
Electricity rates, battery sizes, and public station fees impact overall charging costs. To demonstrate, let‘s examine a few popular EV models:
- 2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD (60 kWh battery): $9.60 per home charge // 331 miles range
- 2022 Ford Mustang Mach E (91 kWh battery): $14.40 per home charge // 260 miles range
- 2023 Kia Niro EV (65 kWh battery): $10.40 per home charge // 239 miles range
Clearly, fueling costs are far lower compared to gasoline – just a few dollars for 200+ miles of driving! Maintenance savings make EVs even more affordable long-term.
Incentives Reduce Upfront Purchase Costs
Georgia offers incentives to reduce EV pricing:
- Federal Tax Credit – $7,500 back until vehicle caps are met
- Georgia Power Rebate – $500 for installed Level 2 charger
You‘ll also save on "fuel" costs since Georgia has affordable 4.5 to 5.5 cents per kWh electricity rates during evenings when charging typically occurs.
To qualify for the full $7,500 federal credit, you‘ll need an adjusted gross annual income of under $150,000 (single filers) or $300,000 (joint). And EVs must be purchased new before March 31, 2023.
Going Electric Supports Sustainability
Driving on electricity emits far less CO2 than gasoline cars – up to 70% less over the vehicle lifetime! This benefits Georgia‘s environment and public health.
As the electric grid adds more renewables, emissions drop further. So you can feel good about making the EV switch.
Hopefully this guide gave you a detailed overview of the incentives, charging infrastructure, costs, and more relating to EV ownership in Georgia. Let me know if any other questions come up!
