EV FAQs

Yes! Well, your car’s manufacturer can. Although most EV car batteries on the road today aren’t ready for retirement, automotive manufacturers are already making plans for recycling and repurposing used EV batteries.

EV batteries contain valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel—all of which can be recycled, repurposed and reused.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Tesla recycles batteries on its own and Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, Audi and Volvo have all partnered with Redwood Materials for battery recycling. Hyundai is working with UL Solutions to create battery energy storage systems from used EV batteries.

EV batteries are charged by plugging the EV charger’s cord into the vehicle’s charging port. They can also gain charge from regenerative braking systems. “Regen” braking systems are unique to EVs. They turn a vehicle’s kinetic energy (energy that relates to motion) back into electric energy. This transformation occurs during braking, decelerating or coasting downhill. Plus, these systems also dramatically reduce wear and tear on a vehicle’s braking system

Charger costs can vary widely . At the time of this guide’s publication in 2024, Level 2 chargers listed on the EnergyRight Efficient Choice Marketplace ranged from $299 to $699, with an average price of $518.

According to Qmerit, an EV charging installer recommended by dozens of EV manufacturers, a typical home installation can cost anywhere from $800 to $2,000, depending on job complexity, charger power and the distance between the electrical panel and the charging station

Consult with a certified electrician who can take a look at your electrical panel and service. In some instances, they’ll easily identify spare electrical capacity (amperage) and breaker space. If that’s not the case, they’ll likely have a few recommendations that’ll work for you.

Possibilities may include:

• Exploring smart energy devices that can share power between existing appliances, like your clothing dryer and your EV. (Encourage your electrician to check with local code officials when they pull a permit for your EV charger installation.)

• Choosing a lower-power (lower-amperage) charger

• Upgrading your wiring and electrical panel to accommodate a higher-power (higher-amperage) charger

Residential electricity rates in our region are among the lowest in the country, which means that EV owners in the Valley save more than $20 per refueling!

Use this formula to estimate how much fueling up with electricity will cost you:

Number of miles per day * x 30 days per month x Number of kWh kWh per mile* x 0.068331** base rate = $$ per month electricity use

Level 1: Chargers that plug into a regular 120-volt home outlet . Charge time: 10-20+ hours .

Level 2: 240-volt chargers (like a dryer outlet) can fully charge an empty battery-only EV (BEV) in 4-10 hours .*

DC Fast Charging: Typically found at public locations like malls or retail centers and off interstate highway exits. They’re intended for short stops on long road trips and can fill up a low battery in 15-45 minutes

There are many benefits to electric vehicles.

• EVs are designed for optimal efficiency because they run off power from the electric grid.
• EVs can be safer in head-on collisions because they don't have a heavy engine under the hood.
• EVs use battery-powered motors which create a smoother and stronger acceleration.
• EVs are way more environmentally friendly because they create no tailpipe emissions
• EVs costs 1/3 of the overall cost of driving a gas-powered vehicle due to reduced maintenance and fuel costs

While many members recognize the Tesla brand and its cars and SUVs, other mainstream manufacturers are also committing to more EV options by 2035. Here is a list of some of the manufacturers committed to building EVs in the next decade:

• Tesla
• Nissan
• Chevrolet
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Toyota
• Volkswagen
• BMW
• Audi
• Jaguar
• Hyundai
• Kia

With so many options to choose from, how do you know which vehicle will suit your needs and your budget?

Our friends at TVA created an interactive tool to help you search through the different makes and models.

Online EV Finder