2023-05-27 10:30:00
“I live in an apartment without the possibility of installing a charging station at home, but I would like to acquire a Hyundai IONIQ 5. Is it possible to rely solely on the public charging network? How much more expensive is public charging than home charging? Is it economically viable to always recharge on public terminals, or would it be better if I bought a hybrid car? —Richard
Answer
Hello Richard,
You are right, it is quite possible to own an electric car without having the possibility of charging at home. It is certainly more complex, but it is not impossible. It all depends on your situation.
First, you should know that you can charge your vehicle using a 120 volt household outlet. Several parking lots in apartment buildings have them, and your vehicle automatically comes with such a charging station. Even if the recharge is slow, at around 5 or 6 kilometers of autonomy added per hour of recharge, perhaps it will be sufficient for your needs. Be aware, however, that in winter, this type of recharging is almost useless, since the battery requires heating which consumes energy.
The other possibility is the public charging network. There are level 3 stations, also called DCFC (direct current charging station) or fast charging station, which allow you to charge a Hyundai IONIQ 5 in less than an hour, or even faster depending on the station. These are mostly used by travelers, due to their speed, but they can be used by anyone who needs a recharge. Take note that over the long term, these terminals have a reputation for accelerating the deterioration of battery capacity, especially if they are used frequently, as you would expect.
The other public charging station available is level 2, which is becoming more and more common in shopping center parking lots, in front of restaurants or right on the side of the street in city centers. These are equivalent to those installed at home, in that you can leave your vehicle plugged in for several hours, while the battery is full. If you don’t drive a lot, you may be able to charge every three or four days, or even longer, reducing the hassle of moving your vehicle a greater or lesser distance from your home daily for charging. In your situation, this is probably the most logical terminal to use. Several mobile applications allow you to locate them, and even to use that of a neighbor who would make it available for rent.
Finally, several companies now have level 2 charging stations installed in the parking lot, available to employees. If this is not the case for the company you work for, be aware that government subsidies are available for employers to install terminals. It can be an interesting way to charge your vehicle, if your employer is open to the idea of installing a charging station.
Pricing
The installation of a residential terminal costs between $1,200 and $3,000 depending on the type of terminal chosen, but also the electrical installation to which it must be connected. From this amount, we must subtract the financial assistance of $600 for owners of electric vehicles who install a charging station at home.
It goes without saying that not installing a terminal in your home saves you this amount. On the other hand, you should know that the use of public terminals is generally not free. In most cases, charging at a level 2 terminal costs $1 per hour, starting when plugged in and stopping when disconnected. In some cases, depending on the organization or company that sets it up, these terminals are free, more expensive or at a fixed rate, up to $10 per charging session. In short, there are several possible billing scenarios, depending on the terminal operator. Same thing for level 3 terminals whose hourly rate is even higher, but whose charging is faster.
To get an idea, let’s take the example of a level 2 charging station billed at $1 per hour, capable of providing approximately 6.5 to 7 kilowatts of power per hour. To fill the battery of a long-range Hyundai IONIQ 5, when completely empty, it will take regarding 10 hours, so regarding $10, for the most common pricing. By comparison, charging at home for the same amount of power would cost around $7. It is therefore not the price of charging that might put you off (in this advantageous scenario), given the presumed small difference between home and public charging, but also the saving caused by not installing a a charging station at home.
Result
Since I do not know the particular situation of the terminals present near your home nor your travel habits, it is difficult for me to draw a line as to whether your project is valid, or whether it is better to favor a hybrid car. . I advise you to consider all the aspects mentioned in this text, and also to try to measure your level of motivation; it is certainly more restrictive to have to recharge elsewhere rather than at home. In the light of this reflection, you will see how feasible your project is.
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