Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across the U.S. The state of Georgia is no exception. However, before you switch to or buy an EV, have you considered the cost-benefit analysis, convenience, and state incentives if any?
This article will focus on the charging infrastructure, the EV cost, and the state of Georgia’s incentives to convert more residents to these zero-emission vehicles. Let’s dive in.
Charging Infrastructure in Georgia
Access to reliable charging infrastructure is a major factor in the uptake of electric vehicles. In Georgia, you can charge your EV at home, in public charging stations, and on the go. 80% of EVs in Georgia are charged at home since it’s convenient and inexpensive.
They charge them through a 110V outlet which is common in most homes. Others install level 2 charging stations to speed up the charging process. For that, you must purchase a charging station available in most retail stores and engage the services of an electrician to install a 240v outlet.
You can find these public charging stations all around the city. Most of them are level 2, and several offer free charging services. However, most networked stations demand that you pre-register for the network and activate the charging station using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card.
The number of publicly accessible EV charging stations in Georgia is increasing quickly to keep up with the demand. Georgia is committed to maintaining its position as a regional leader in EV infrastructure development to advance electric mobility’s expansion throughout the state.
Georgia has 1,399 public EV charging stations and over 3,400 individual outlets to accommodate more than 30,000 EV drivers. Except for California, that figure indicates that there are more electric charging outlets per person in the Southeast or Sunbelt.
In Atlanta, Georgia, there are 1190 public charging stations (Level 2 and Level 3). 42% of the stations give free charges, while 94% of the terminals are level two charging stations.
Charging Islands
Georgia Power unveiled 11 charging islands powered by ChargePoint in 2015. These islands give owners of electric vehicles a variety of alternatives, including fast charging stations (DCFC) and level 2 charging stations.
These charging stations include:
- Alpharetta’s North Fulton Business Office at 11675 Wills Road.
- Dunwoody’s Georgia Power Customer Resource Center at 4404 North Shallowford Road.
- Duluth Operating Center at 3825 Rogers Bridge Road.
- Lilburn’s Georgia Power Headquarters at 241 Ralph McGill Blvd., NE.
- Lilburn Lawrenceville, located at 6434 Lawrenceville Highway
- 1453 Highway 120 Smyrna, Lawrenceville Business Office
- Smyrna Business Office, SE Lithonia, 1088 Concord Road
- Athens, Georgia, 5215 Minola Dr., Metro East Region Office
- Northeast Region Office — 1001 Prince Avenue
- 1607 Walton Way — Augusta Customer Service Center
- 12016 Abercorn St., Savannah-South Abercorn Customer Resource Center
You can also download apps like PlugShare to your smartphone to help map routes and locate charging outlets. For Tesla owners, it’s a lot easier to find charging outlets. Its GPS shows you the nearest charging station and how long you need to charge on its display. That relieves the driver of the need to pre-map charging locations or worry about their availability.
Charging Options in Georgia
There are three levels of charging EVs in Georgia. Let’s sample them.
Level 1 charging – You can charge your EV using a standard 110V socket and a charging cord that you plug into your car. Level 1 charging, also known as trickle charging, adds 5 miles per hour. EV owners can replenish their batteries by charging them overnight at home.
Level 2 charging – It’s the second level of charging. It gives you between 25 and 60 miles per hour. Level 2 charging stations are available across the city, but you can install one in your home.
Level 3 charging – This method of charging, also known as DC Fast-Charging, is typically located near freeways and enables you to swiftly recharge the battery to about 80% in just 30 minutes.
Cost of Owning an EV in Georgia
On DC fast charging stations, the cost of electricity ranges between $0.30 – $0.40 per kWh. We shall focus on three common models to help you better understand the cost of charging an EV in Georgia.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is among the most common EVs in the world. They have an 81kWh 350 V lithium-ion battery which offers a range of about 330 miles. Model Y needs roughly 8 hours and 15 minutes to attain a full charge. It is cheaper to charge your Tesla using your local utility than a public charging point.
The Model Y Standard Range costs $11.47 to charge fully or around $0.047 per mile. That’s about $4.70 miles per 100 miles.
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F-150 Lightning
F-150 Lightning is a light-duty track and has become a favorite among Americans. It has an extended-range battery and a Ford charge station pro of 80A. The Lightning has a maximum charging capacity of 19.2 kW, which is made possible by dual onboard chargers. A full charge from 15 to 100% takes roughly 8 hours.
You can recharge the lightning using the 120v or 240v outlet. Alternatively, you can use the 150 kW DC fast charger to recharge the F-150 in just one hour. According to the US rankings for charging expenses, Georgia ranks No. 29. A full charge of an F-150 Lightning would cost you up to $1.73 less than the national average. You’ll pay around $13.01.
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Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 has an AC and DC combined charging system (CCS). The Volvo XC40 Recharge has an 11kW Type 2 charger for the AC charging port that plugs into AC outlets at home or the office. You can leave your car on charge overnight and take it to work the next day.
The XC40 battery pack charges from 10% to 90% in seven to eight hours using the 11kW charger. Alternatively, you can connect your vehicle to a 150 kW DC fast charging outlet using the DC inlet port, which can charge the Volvo XC40 battery from a low of 10% to 80% in just 37 minutes. In Georgia, a full charge will cost you $7.75.
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Georgia’s Incentives on EVs
Georgia has set federal and Georgia-specific incentives to encourage more drivers to switch to EVs. Let’s look at incentives and what you save if you live in Georgia and decide to go the EV way.
Federal Incentives
Federal EV Tax Credit exempts up to $7,500 for cars and trucks purchased before January 1, 2023. Only electric automobiles with final assembly in North America are eligible for the tax credit if the EV was ordered and delivered from August 16, 2022, to January 1, 2023.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a brand-new federal statute, features a new EV federal tax credit program that came into effect on January 1, 2023. The new Clean Vehicle Credit offers up to $7,500 for brand-new eligible EVs.
The EVs must meet specific criteria to qualify for the clean vehicle credit. These include;
- Manufacturers must domestically acquire critical minerals or through qualified partners, and vehicles must be assembled in North America.
- Sports utility vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks must have a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $80,000 or less, while other cars, including sedans, must cost $55,000 or less.
Sales ceilings will no longer apply to automakers. The credit is valid until 2033. The buyer must meet the required income levels to access the tax credits.
The IRA also offers tax breaks of up to $4,000 for eligible used cars. The used car has to be at least two years old and cost no more than $25,000.
Georgia-Specific Incentives
Residential clients who own PEVs (Plug-in Electric Vehicles) get electricity at a time-of-use rate from Georgia Power. The power company also offers a rebate to customers who install a charger at home or business place.
Final Thoughts
The state of Georgia is working hard to set up the necessary infrastructure and to provide more incentives to encourage EV uptake. If you live in Georgia or plan to move there, consider getting an EV if you don’t have one. It’s cheaper to own and maintain an EV than a gasoline engine in Georgia.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com.
