How to Use an EV Charging Station

By: | August 23rd, 2016

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Owning an electric vehicle is one of the most effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint and helping to pave the way for a brighter, cleaner future. However, up until recently, electric vehicles were considered to be more of a hassle than a convenience.

But now, more companies have taken the initiative to develop a charging station that can be installed and easily operated at home, the office, or wherever else you need it. ChargePoint EV charging stations alone make up for over 25 thousand charging spots across North America. And the abundant competition in this space ensures you’ll no longer have to go out of your way to help save the environment.

Keep reading to take advantage of these fantastic electric fuel stations.

Find a Location

To find a location, you can either start by searching on your home computer, your mobile application, or even via built-in functionality on certain EV models. This will reveal all of the destinations that offer charging points for your vehicle, whether they’re in use, and step-by-step directions on how to get there.

You can also choose to reserve particular stations if you would like to plan ahead of time and avoid the possibility of waiting in line for a charge.

Connect Payment via your Mobile Application or EV Card

The EV charging station offers truly convenient payment options via mobile applications and EV cards. By simply tapping your card against the user interface or logging in via your mobile phone and connecting to the server, you never have to worry about drawing money or carrying cash to pay for your fuel. Instead, you simply connect via card or application, choose the amount to charge, and then complete the transaction by tapping your card again or confirming on the application.

The mobile application also allows for personalized charging options. You can choose to schedule charging, start or stop it at any time — ultimately turning your mobile phone into an all-in-one charging functionality device. In addition, the mobile application tracks your usage, mileage, and reduced carbon footprint – all while offering friendly reminders to ensure you never forget to charge your vehicle.

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Plug In and Enjoy the Benefits

One of the greatest advantages of electric charging points is that they can be installed virtually anywhere that can connect to the power grid. This includes your home, apartment parking lot, office block, or simply destinations that you frequently visit. All that you need is sufficient space, a connection to the grid, and permission from the owner of the property. You see, unlike gas stations, EV charging points don’t need expensive infrastructure or extensive planning, and is only slightly more complicated than installing a gate intercom.

Furthermore, as these systems gain popularity, more charging points will become available. Already, large shopping centers and business parks around the country have joined in on the EV fever, offering charging within their parking spaces while you shop or work. This convenience, coupled with consistent savings on conventional fuel, is precisely what is causing so many individuals to switch to electric vehicles.

Unexpected Benefits that EV Stations offer

As a final note, EV charging points can also be used for commercial business buildings, shopping centers, or housing complexes.

• As a business owner, you can supply all of your employees and clients with free charges. This greatly enhances your brand appeal, making you a favorable destination to work or visit.
• If you own or manage a shopping center, you can attract customers from far and wide with free or reduced charges as they shop, ensuring that they never have to worry about having enough power to get home after shopping.
• As a landlord, you may choose to install an EV station on your premises. This would not only allow your tenants to refuel at home but could also open up opportunities to offer commercial charging for a fee.

As you can see, there are far more benefits to an EV station than simply powering your vehicle. You can use it to enhance your business, save money, and bring in extra revenue while you do your part in reducing the world’s carbon footprint.

The EV charging station is truly a step towards a brighter, cleaner, and more efficient future. So take a look at some of the options available and discover how you can start saving money, preserving our planet, and freeing yourself from the hassle of conventional fuels today.

*Post submitted by guest*

Marshall Smith

Technology, engineering, and design enthusiast.

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