Owning an EV in Ohio: Charging Cost, Incentives, and More

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, Ohio residents are becoming more interested in owning one. However, owning an EV in Ohio requires special considerations such as charging infrastructure, ownership costs, and state incentives. In this blog post, we’ll go over these topics in depth and provide useful information to individuals who want to own an EV in Ohio.

Charging infrastructure

The charging infrastructure is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing an EV in Ohio. The availability of charging stations is critical to ensure that EV users can easily move throughout the state. Here are some crucial points to remember:

Overview of charging infrastructure in Ohio:

While Ohio’s charging infrastructure is still being built, there are now over 1,000 public charging stations available. This figure is likely to rise in the future years.

Types of charging stations in Ohio:

In Ohio, there are three types of charging stations: level 1, level 2, and DC fast charging. Level 1 and 2 charging stations are more commonplace in public places, but DC rapid charging facilities are usually found mostly along major highways.

Location of charging stations in Ohio:

Charging stations can be found all around Ohio, including major cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus. EV users can use numerous mobile apps or maps to locate the nearest charging station. Some examples of these are:

PlugShare – available for both iOS and Android, this app has a comprehensive map of charging stations worldwide, including information on charging speeds, costs, and reviews from other users.

ChargePoint – this app shows real-time availability and status of charging stations, and allows users to start and stop charging sessions directly from their phones.

EVgo – this app provides access to one of the largest public fast-charging networks in the US, with over 800 charging stations across the country.

Tesla Supercharger – this app is exclusively for Tesla owners and provides a map of the company’s Supercharger network, which offers fast charging for Tesla vehicles.

Google Maps – this widely-used mapping app has added EV charging stations to its list of searchable locations, allowing users to find the nearest station along their route.

ChargeHub – this app has a map of charging stations across North America and Europe, and includes information on availability, pricing, and charging speeds.

Electromaps – this app has a map of charging stations across Europe, with information on charging speeds, availability, and payment options.

A Better Routeplanner – this app allows EV users to plan their trips and find charging stations along the way, taking into account factors like battery range and traffic conditions.

Best practices for finding and using charging stations:

Before embarking on a lengthy journey, it is critical to plan ahead of time and locate charging outlets. To avoid excessive wait times, it’s also vital to avoid charging during high usage hours.

Home charging options and installation tips:

EV users can charge their vehicles at home as well. For faster charging, they can simply use a normal outlet or install a dedicated charging station. For safety reasons, the charging station should be installed by a licensed professional electrician.

Costs Associated with Owning an EV in Ohio

Another key factor to consider is the expense of owning an EV in Ohio. While electric vehicles have a higher initial cost than typical gasoline vehicles, they can be more cost-effective in the long term. Here are some crucial items to remember:

Comparison of electricity cost per mile for common EVs in Ohio:

The cost of electricity per mile varies based on the type of EV. The Tesla Model Y, for example, costs about 4 cents per mile to charge, whereas the Ford F-150 Lightning costs about 7 cents per mile.

How the cost of ownership for an EV compares to a traditional gasoline vehicle in Ohio:

While the initial cost of an EV may be greater, the overall cost of ownership may be lower in the long run due to decreased gasoline and maintenance expenditures.

Potential maintenance costs involved in owning an EV in Ohio:

Because EVs have fewer moving components than regular gasoline vehicles, they may require less maintenance. EV users should, nevertheless, plan for routine maintenance such as Tire inspection and rotation: The tires on EVs will degrade over time and eventually have to be replaced.

Brake service:

Regenerative braking is used in electric vehicles to slow the vehicle and recharge the battery. This technology actually helps to reduce wear and tear on brake pads and rotors. Brakes must still be tested and repaired on a regular basis.

Battery maintenance:

While EV batteries are built to survive for many years, they can degrade over time owing to variables such as high temperatures, frequent fast charging, and deep discharge. EV owners should stick to the manufacturer’s battery maintenance guidelines, which may include avoiding high temperatures and keeping the battery level between 20% and 80%.

Cooling system:

A cooling system in electric vehicles helps to maintain the temperature of the battery and other components. It’s critical to keep this system in good working order to avoid overheating and assure peak performance.

Generally, the maintenance costs for an electric vehicle in Ohio are typically lower than those for a traditional gasoline vehicle, but it is still critical to pay for regular maintenance and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to preserve the vehicle’s longevity and performance.

Electric vehicles can save you a significant amount of money in the long run, particularly when it comes to gasoline. Electricity costs about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) on average in Ohio, which is much less than gasoline and this makes owning an EV in Ohio quite attractive. Let’s go through some of the more popular Electric vehicles and examine how much it would cost to run them:

Tesla Model Y

For good reason, the Tesla Model Y is one of the best-selling electric automobiles in Ohio. It can travel up to 326 miles on a single charge and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Model Y has a starting price of $54,880.

You should budget $447 per year to charge your Model Y, assuming you drive 15,000 miles annually and pay the Ohio average for power. In contrast, a gas-powered car that gets 25 miles per gallon costs about $1,650 annually.

Ford F-150 Lightning

America’s most popular pickup truck now comes in an all-electric variant called the Ford F-150 Lightning. It can tow up to 10,000 pounds and travel up to 300 miles on each charge. The F-150 Lightning has a $55,974 starting price.

Going by the facts stated before, you should budget $498 annually for charging your F-150 Lightning. In contrast, a gas-powered pickup that achieves 20 miles per gallon would cost around $1,650 annually.

Chevrolet Bolt

With a driving range of up to 259 miles, the Chevrolet Bolt is a small electric vehicle. It is also one of the cheapest EVs available and has a starting price of $27,495.

The cost to charge your Bolt is estimated to be roughly $335 per year using the same assumptions as earlier. In contrast, a gas-powered automobile that gets 30 miles per gallon costs about $1,200 annually.

Incentives

There are various advantages to take advantage of if you’re considering owning an EV in Ohio:

Ohio Electric Vehicle Rebate

Residents who buy or lease a new electric vehicle are eligible for the Ohio Electric Vehicle Rebate. For vehicles with a battery capacity of 10 kWh or less, the rebate is worth $2,500; for those with a battery capacity of more than 10, it is worth $2,500 + $50 for each extra kWh.

Federal Tax Credit

An up to $7,500 tax credit is provided by the federal government for the purchase of a new electric vehicle. The size of the vehicle’s battery and the maker, however, determine the credit amount. The credit gradually expires whenever a firm sells 200,000 electric automobiles.

Workplace Charging Credit

Installing a Level 2 electric car charging station at your place of business in Ohio may qualify you for a tax credit of up to $1,000, or up to 30% of the cost of the installation and equipment.

Conclusion: Is owning an EV in Ohio worth it?

When you consider the decreased gasoline prices and various incentives, buying an EV in Ohio can be a wise financial move. Now is a perfect moment to switch to electric because there are so many electric vehicles available and so many charging stations. There is an EV for everyone, whether you want a luxury SUV, a pickup truck, or a small vehicle.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Eric Glenn/Shutterstock.com.