Guide to Public EV Charging in Texas

Guide to Public EV Charging in Texas

Guide to Public EV Charging in Texas

Electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles are exploding in popularity along with public charging stations. Public charging allows EV drivers to charge their electric vehicles on the road when they need to travel longer distances than allowed by their EV’s autonomy. So the team at Sherman Cadillac thought we would go over a few tips and tricks for charging your EV at public stations. We will cover the three places you can charge, the different levels of charging, essential tools for public charging, and valuable links to answer all your questions.

When is the best time to charge my EV

The best time to charge an EV in Texas is between 10 pm and 6 am. This is when renewable wind power peaks, and there is typically more capacity in the Texas grid. Therefore, it is best to avoid charging late afternoons to early evenings. Typically, between 4 pm to 7 pm is when the Texas power grid offers less capacity.

What kind of public charging stations are there

There are three standard public charging levels used to charge electric vehicles. All EVs can be charged with level 1 and level 2 stations. These chargers offer the same charging power as the ones you can install at home. Level 3 chargers – also called DCFC or fast charging stations, are currently the fastest charging option. However, not every EV cannot charge at level 3 chargers. Knowing your vehicle’s capabilities is, therefore, very important.

How full to charge your electric vehicle

Electric vehicles come with a battery management system that prevents them from being charged and discharged at an extreme state of charge. For improved battery longevity, it is best to maintain a charge between 20% and 80% when possible. 80% is perfect for your regular daily driving. Save charging it up to 100% for those longer trips. However, don’t charge to 100% at DC fast charging stations when on a long journey. Only charge what you need to get to your destination, usually 80% or less. Keeping the state of battery charge from 0 percent to 100 percent also improves the performance of the battery life of your vehicle. Even though a full charge will give you the maximum operating time, it is never a good idea for your battery’s overall lifespan.

Where to charge your EV in Texas

There are over 2,000 charging stations in Texas, and many stations charge multiple vehicles at a time. For daily driving, most charging will occur overnight at home or throughout the day at Level 2 and DC fast charge stations. Stations usually occur at offices, shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. For highway driving, charging will generally happen at dedicated DC fast charging stations along main highways. You can also locate public charging stations through apps like PlugSHare, ChargeHub, or Electrify America. Like any trip, you should plan. Charging stations are connected to the web with apps that display station status, occupancy, cost, and charge rates.

Sherman Cadillac is here to help you enter the wonderful world of electric vehicles

The team at Sherman Cadillac would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of electric vehicles. We understand they are new, or perhaps you don’t understand them completely. Well, our staff is here to help calm any concerns you have or answer any questions about EVs you may have. So stop today, or contact our team with any questions.

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