Ah, Nevada, a dry desert state with one of the best gambling cities in the world. If you’re a resident and want to get around, gas-powered vehicles aren’t your only option. You can travel around on an EV. When it comes to owning an EV in Nevada, not only is it possible, but it can be an eco-friendly and money-saving option!
Nevada Charging Infrastructure
Nevada already has over 1,000 public charging stations, mainly due to past grants, like the $38 million they received in 2022. In 2020, Nevada built an electric highway from Reno to Las Vegas, offering 450 miles of driving with charging stations along the highway.
What is more, Nevada is still updating their charging infrastructure, even in 2023 and beyond. They plan on investing in and building more charging stations and options once they receive more National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding.
How many charging stations does Nevada have?
Nevada has around 1,600 public charging stations. Many are available in major cities like Reno and Las Vegas, but some are in smaller towns too.
Types of Charging Stations
No matter which EV you choose, you can only utilize certain chargers to keep it on the road. Because of this, knowing which charging station suits your electric care is vital. Here are your options and how they work.
Free stations
A popular choice, free charging stations usually contain Level 1 or level 2 chargers. These are often inexpensive for the business to install and only charge your car a few miles at a time. We don’t recommend relying on free stations to keep your car fully charged. However, they are a great way to get extra miles in your daily commute.
CHAdeMO connectors
If you choose a Nissan or Toyota vehicle, you will likely find yourself using a CHAdeMO connector. This type of charger is similar to CCS plugs and offers quick DC charging. CHAdeMO is a bi-directional charger, which in itself is a significant technical benefit. In other words, power can move both ways—from the charger to the automobile and vice versa—before continuing to the house or grid.
If there are no nearby Superchargers, Teslas also have a CHAdeMO converter to utilize CHAdeMO rapid chargers.
CCS plugs
CCS plugs, or the Combined Charging System, allow rapid DC charging. So you can swiftly recharge your EV. Most car makers, including Kia, BMW, Hyundai, Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar, Mini, and Volkswagen, employ it on their newer vehicles.
Also, you can insert your regular Type 2 plug into the upper half of a CCS Combo 2 socket in your car to charge on AC at home. So it’s easy to connect to your home charger with the right connections! Of course, always talk to a professional before plugging your car into your home grid.
J-Plug Chargers
The SAE J1772 adapter, also known as the J Plug, can connect to a regular household socket and charge electric vehicles easily at home.
A split-phase 208V-240V plug has a maximum operating current of 80 amps and can provide up to 19.2 kW, whereas a single-phase 120V J-plug operates at a maximum of 16 amps, delivering up to 1.92 kW.
10,000 charging cycles are possible with the J1772 connector, so it can last up to 27 years if you charge your vehicle once a day (not too shabby).
Tesla Superchargers
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Tesla uses a proprietary connector for DC rapid charging and accepts all voltage. Tesla’s DC quick chargers, or Superchargers, are only compatible with Tesla automobiles. These stations are only available to Tesla customers. Tesla installs and maintains these chargers. A non-tesla EV won’t charge at a Tesla Supercharger station, even with an adaptor.
This will change at the start of 2024 when Ford and General Motors (GM) EVs gain access to 12,000 Superchargers via adaptors. And in 2025, both Ford and GM EVs will feature Tesla’s North American Charging Standard connector.
Where are the charging stations located?
Many charging stations in Nevada are located in the cities of Las Vegas (and surrounding areas), Reno, Gardnerville Ranchos, Elko, Carson City, and Fernley.
Cost of Owning an EV in Nevada
Nevada has many options for charging your EV, but what is the initial cost of the car, and how much would you spend to juice up an EV? Here’s what you need to know about owning an EV in Nevada and the typical charging costs.
Mercedes EQS SUV
This EQ electric vehicle offers the same cutting-edge amenities as its gas counterparts and other electric vehicles, including the enormous Hyperscreen infotainment system. It’s also the most efficient EQS SUV, offering 305 miles on a single charge and 85 MPGe combined. The 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery is also quick to charge — usually taking less than 6 hours with a level 2 charger. However, this car will set you back, starting at around $105,000.
Nevada charges $.15 per KWH, which is fairly close to the average cost around the United States. This means you’ll spend about $16.17 to charge your car fully. Public charging is actually fairly cheap, only costing about $.23 per KWH, cheaper than most states! This will cost you around $24.79 to charge your car in public. Much cheaper than gas!
BMW iX
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The BMW iX is another option, costing $85,000, but the interior is still fairly exquisite. It also has a battery-powered all-wheel drive system with two electric motors (one at each axle) that provide 516 horsepower. This helps offer 86 MPGe and a 324-mile EPA-rated range.
The iX costs $.15 per KWH for in-home charging and $.25 per KWH for out-of-home and public charging. So your price range for charging will be around $16.72 and $27.87.
Volkswagen ID.4
The entry-level ID.4 still offers a 58.0 to 77.0-kWh battery pack with a combined EPA rating of 209-275 miles on a single charge. The larger battery also allows for all-wheel drive. And the starting price? $40,000 for the base model. Not bad!
You’ll likely pay $.15 per KWH at home or $8.70 in full. And public charging is barely more at $.23 per KWH or a full charge of $13.34.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The Bolt EV is more rugged than the other EV options on this list, but it’s the cheapest. At just under $30,000, Bolt has an SUV-like appearance and relies on a 65.0 kWh battery pack. This offers 247 miles on a single charge. So while it’s not the best battery, it still works well for daily commutes, especially if charging at home.
Home charging in Nevada costs$0.15 per KWH, while public charging stations cost about $0.24. Expect to spend $9.75 to $15.60 to juice up your electric car.
Nevada Electric Vehicle Incentives
Nevada has a few electric vehicle incentives, including an Emissions Inspection Exemption (saving upwards of $150 a year) and a rebate of up to 75% for installing or purchasing a level 2 charger.
While the state of Nevada doesn’t have a grant or rebate program for EV costs, NV Energy does offer a $2,500 rebate for low-income customers who purchase a new or used EV.
Owning an EV in Nevada Wrap Up
Owning an EV in Nevada can be easier than in many other states and can save you money over the years! And luckily, the state continues to invest in electric car infrastructure, so the benefits of EV ownership will most likely continue to grow.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0, Flickr.
