Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program
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FAQs
General
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Q. What are the different types of charging?
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Level 1 chargers use the car’s charge cord to plug into a common 120v outlet. These types of chargers take the longest, at approximately 11-20 hours to fully charge a vehicle. An electric car can maintain more than 40 miles a day if charged overnight at home.
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Level 2 chargers require additional equipment and utilize 240V outlets. According to Maryland EV, a 7.2kWh level 2 charger typically takes 3-8 hours to fully charge an empty battery. Each hour adds approximately 20 miles of driving range.
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DC Fast Chargers (DCFC) are the fastest type of charging infrastructure. Depending on battery size, DC Fast chargers can charge some EVs up to 80% in as few as 20-30 minutes. Each hour adds approximately 100 miles of driving range.
Q. Where can I find charging stations?
- Charging stations at State facilities can be found here. Public charging stations can be found at PlugShare and the
Alternative Fuels Data Center. Charging stations can also be found using an electric vehicle’s onboard navigation system, if applicable.
Q. Who do I contact with EV program related questions?
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Fleet
| Q. How will we prioritize fleet charging? Timed signage? How do we determine the times?
- Set hours may be reserved for fleet vehicles only at state-installed charging stations. Individual departments’ parking coordinators will determine exact times.
Q. Who is responsible for keeping the workplace/fleet and public RFID cards for fleet drivers and setting up the accounts?
- A fleet manager may request an RFID card for a utility-installed charging station (primarily Greenlots) by
submitting a request to the DGS EV Program Coordinator. DGS EV Program Coordinator will submit documents to the utility to ensure discounted fleet rates upon activation. RFID cards will be kept with the vehicle keys. A Greenlots and ChargePoint RFID card will be issued for each vehicle. Additional networks will be considered on a case-by-base basis.
Q. Is there a fee for charging?
- There is a fee for utilizing utility-installed charging stations. For example, the BGE rate is $0.18/kWh for Level 2 charging and $0.255/kWh for BGE issued RFID cards. This is 25% off BGE’s current DC Fast Charger rate of $0.34/kWh. There is not yet a fee for usage of State-installed charging stations for state fleet vehicles.
Q. What is the process for reimbursing an employee who charges a fleet vehicle overnight in their home?
- We are currently investigating best practices for reimbursement for home charging. In the meantime, employees are encouraged to charge fleet vehicles at a Level 2 or a DCFC on the same network as the vehicle-issued RFID cards.
Q. Which charging networks can be used?
- State vehicles may be charged on EVsmart, Shell Recharge, Blink, or Chargepoint networks. Please check the vehicle’s RFID cards to ensure it is the proper match for the charging station. Roaming across networks is not currently possible with RFID cards. If the preferred networks are unavailable, it may be possible to charge on another network and submit the expense for reimbursement.
Q. Can the cord set in the vehicle be used at a regular outlet?
- Yes, the Level 1 charging cable can be used at a regular 120V outlet. However, this method is very slow, for example, a fully depleted Mustang Mach E could take up to 95 hours to fully charge. This option is best for vehicles parked for an extended period of time.
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Public/Workplace Charging
| Q. How do I use the charging stations for personal vehicles?
- For utility-installed and branded charging stations, you may use a personal RFID card on that network or the app to initiate charging. Posted fees will be incurred.
Q. Can I use a Level 1 outlet to charge my personal vehicle?
- No, Level 1 outlets at state facilities may not be used for vehicle charging.
Q. What is the penalty for exceeding a posted charging time?
- Parking is not permitted at charging stations for any vehicle unless it is actively being charged. Vehicles not plugged in are subject to being fined.
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Maintenance and Repairs
| Q. Who do I call for maintenance assistance if the charging station is not working?
- Each charging station will have a 1-800 number written on the unit. Please call this number to report an issue or for driver assistance.
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