If you’re a renter, you may be giving serious thought to how that works with purchasing an electric car. Electric cars come with a range of benefits, but despite that, there are also a few things to consider before bringing your electric car home to your Raleigh rental house. From here onwards, we will touch on a few of the tenant responsibilities that come with electric car ownership while renting. We will also offer guaranteed tips on making owning an electric car work for you!
Electric Cars and Renting
You might already appreciate the different benefits of electric cars. They’re more inexpensive to operate than gas cars. Electric vehicles also emit significantly less pollution than gas cars, making them a more environmentally friendly option. And, since electric vehicles are powered by electricity, you can stay cool and never worry about running out of gas!
These advantages make electric cars an appealing and economical choice for renters. Then again, while you may not need to be tormented about gas prices, you do need to have an idea of the effective means to charge your vehicle between uses.
Charging Solutions
To charge an electric vehicle, you want to connect it to an external power source using a charging cable. The time needed to charge an electric car depends on the size of its battery and certainly the type of charger you’re using. A home charger is, often, the slowest possible recourse, while public chargers are usually the fastest.
Some electric cars need to have a proprietary charging station, while it is a matter of fact that others can simply be plugged into a 120v or 240v outlet in a garage or carport. There are good and bad points to all options.
Charging Station
One of the huge benefits of a charging station is that it is set to very rapidly replenish your electric vehicle’s battery in a short amount of time. But definitely, they can be expensive to purchase and install. You may additionally need your Raleigh property manager’s permission to install the unit, and determined by what kind of agreement you can execute, you may need to leave the station behind if you move.
120v Outlet
120v outlets, on the contrary, are much more universal and can be put to use with any electric car. To use one, you just need a cord long enough to reach from your vehicle to the outlet. But sadly, they charge at a much slower pace than proprietary stations. Recharging an average daily commute using a 120v outlet may take all night.
240v Outlet
You could specifically go for something like a 240v outlet if your garage or carport already has one. These outlets are, in general, put into service for large appliances, like electric dryers. But, if you don’t, at present, have a 240v outlet installed somewhere accessible, you may need to have one installed. Same way with the charging station, you would need to have landlord permission first and then pay for the installation, all the while knowing you won’t be able to take it with you. Despite that, a 240v outlet will charge an electric vehicle more quickly than a 120v outlet – oftentimes in just a few hours.
Regardless of which option you settle on, always remember that charging a vehicle at your rental property will always add to your electricity bill. If you pay for your own electricity as a renter, that may not matter to your landlord. But certainly, if utilities are included in your rent, your landlord may oblige you to pay an additional fee for charging your electric vehicle on the property. You should ask directly about this before you bring your new car home.
Public Charging
Additionally, you could go charge your electric vehicle using public chargers at work or other available locations. This solution can be convenient, as long as plenty of chargers are available in these places. You may even be able to come across other free charging stations. But most public chargers often charge by either the hour or kilowatt-hour (kWh), making public charging a more expensive option. On top of that, you need to always make certain you are using the suitable type of charger for your vehicle. Despite that, if charging your electric car at your rental home isn’t a dependable option, public charging could be the best solution.
Purchasing an electric car can be an incredible way to save money and help the environment, but there are a lot of factors that you need to bear in mind if you’re a renter. By following the tips above, you can establish that owning an electric car works for both you and your landlord. And never forget to charge responsibly!
Are you committed to finding a new rental home for you and your electric vehicle? Browse our listings to be informed of what’s available in your area!
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