Charging Options

Electric vehicle (EV) charging is becoming increasingly accessible across New York State, whether at home, at work, or on the road.

Charging at home is typically the most convenient and cost-effective charging option. Since the driving range of most EVs exceeds the average distance New Yorkers travel daily, home chargers can fulfill most charging needs. Meanwhile, a growing network of public and workplace charging can help fill the gaps for long-distance trips or drivers without charging access at home.

Understanding Electric Car Charging Options

Charging Options When You're Home

There are several ways to charge your electric car at home, starting with the standard home outlet. Just like many of us charge our cell phones at home while we sleep, most electric car owners charge their cars during the overnight hours. The 120-volt charging cord that comes with your electric car supports what is called Level 1 charging, which adds about three to four miles of range for every hour the vehicle is plugged in.

Alternatively, EV drivers can upgrade to Level 2 home charging, which operates at 240 Volts and uses fixed cables that connect to your car. Level 2 chargers add between 20 and 40 miles of range per hour of charging. Note that many EV models offer mobile app connectivity for monitoring and setting charge times.

Installing a Level 2 station at your home will require wiring similar to that which is used for other large appliances like an electric stove or clothes dryer (a dedicated 20- to 60-amp circuit, depending on your vehicle's charging capacity and your future needs). Home EV chargers are eligible for an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit of up to $1,000, or 30% of the cost, in eligible locations .

Standard Home Outlet

How it Works

Use the adapter cable that came with your car. Plug the standard 3-prong plug into your wall outlet and plug the other end into your electric car.

When to use it

Plug it in overnight and your car will be ready by morning. It takes about 8-12 hours to fully charge a depleted battery.

Rapid Home Charger

How it Works

This requires an initial purchase and installation, but once set up, simply plug the charger cable directly into your electric car.

When to use it

If you drive multiple times a day, this type of charger can help ensure that your car is fully charged between outings.

Save Money on Home Charging

While IRA tax credits can reduce the cost of installing an EV charger at home, there are utility programs that reward EV owners for charging during off-peak times.

Charging Options Away from Home

When you’re away from home, there are thousands of charging stations that you can take advantage of across New York State.

Level 2 charging stations can be found at stores, office buildings, municipal parking lots, parks, hotels, theaters, and many other types of locations you go to every day. Most EVs use the same plugs for Level 2 charging stations, or come with an adapter.

Direct-current fast chargers (DCFC) can provide close to a full charge in under an hour. DCFCs are intended for public sites and they are most often installed along major travel corridors to support long-distance drivers. Note that not all electric or hybrid vehicles are fast-charging compatible.

NYSERDA is supporting the expansion of New York State’s DCFC network as another means of increasing the adoption of electric vehicles. Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, New York is deploying fast chargers along designated electric vehicle corridors, including many of the State's most traveled interstate and State highways.

Destination Charging Stations

How it Works

Use a charging station app to find one of the thousands of Level 2 stations near your destination. Depending upon its host, using it may be free or cost a small fee.

When to use it

Ideal for topping off when you park somewhere for a while, like a workplace or parking garage.

On-the-Go Charging Stations

How it Works

Pay and use any of the hundreds of NYS fast chargers to rapidly charge your car, similar to how you would use a conventional gas station.

When to use it

As a stopover on longer road trips when you need to charge up as you go.

Some public chargers are equipped with credit card readers, but others require you to pay using a web-based application (app) or an RFID card, which may require you to first subscribe to the network (i.e. ChargePoint, blink, EVgo, Electrify America, Greenlots, and others) that operate the charger. Most networks have agreements to allow EV owners with accounts on one network to use other networks, but there could be a surcharge, like using another bank’s ATM.

Charging Stations Make All-Around Business Sense

Do you manage a commercial property, a retail store, a public parking facility, a multifamily building, or a similar type of site? If so, installing an EV charging station may be good for business. Your facility can serve as an attractive destination for the growing number of EV owners in New York State, whether they may be your customers or tenants. Not only do EV drivers like to “top off” wherever they go, but many savvy consumers plan longer trips with charging breaks in mind.

Workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, and public facilities across New York may be eligible for incentives through the Charge Ready NY 2.0 Program to reduce the cost of installing EV charging stations. Additional support may be available through your utility and other charging station programs.

Alternatively, if you are a charging station installer or inspector, now is a good time to brush up on all the installation best practices, as demand for charging stations is expected to increase, from homes and businesses to municipalities.

NYSERDA has also developed many EV charging station permitting resources to help communities navigate the process.