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What Should I Know About Renters with Electric Cars?

Electric Vehicle ChargingIf you’re a renter, you may be mulling over how that works with securing an electric car. Electric cars come with a range of benefits, but with that said, there are a few things you need to know before bringing your electric car home to your Watertown rental house. Below, we will touch on several tenant responsibilities that come with electric car ownership while renting. We will, on top of that, offer here proven tips on making owning an electric car work for you!

Electric Cars and Renting

You might already know full well the many benefits of electric cars. Primarily, they’re more affordable to operate than gas cars. Electric vehicles also emit less pollution than gas cars, making them a more environmentally friendly option. And, since electric vehicles are powered by electricity, you’ll never need to worry about running out of gas!

These great benefits make electric cars an ideal and economical choice for renters. Despite that, while you may not need to be anxious about gas prices, you do need to grasp full well the ideal way to charge your vehicle between uses.

Charging Solutions

To charge an electric vehicle, you have to connect it to an external power source using a charging cable. The required time to charge an electric car depends on the size of its battery and the type of charger you’re using. A home charger is customarily the slowest option of the bunch, while public chargers are usually the fastest.

Most electric cars need a proprietary charging station, though others can be plugged into a 120v or 240v outlet in a garage or carport. There are positives and negatives to all options.

Charging Station

One of the principal benefits of a charging station is that it is made to quickly replenish your electric vehicle’s battery in a short amount of time. With that said, they can be expensive to purchase and install. You may as well need your Watertown property manager’s permission to install the unit, and depending on what kind of agreement you can bring about, you may need to leave the station behind if you move.

120v Outlet

120v outlets, conversely, are much more common and can be used with any electric car. To use one, you simply need a cord long enough to reach from your vehicle to the outlet. But they charge at a slower rate than proprietary stations. Recharging an average daily commute using a 120v outlet may take all night.

240v Outlet

You could also use a 240v outlet if your garage or carport already has one. These outlets are normally used for large appliances, like electric dryers. Though, if you don’t presently have a 240v outlet installed somewhere accessible, you may need to have one installed. Like the charging station, you would need to have landlord permission first and then pay for the installation, even knowing you won’t be able to take it with you. But on a positive note, a 240v outlet will charge an electric vehicle a whole lot quicker than a 120v outlet – mostly in just a few hours.

It doesn’t matter what option you take, just bear in mind 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 on the other hand, if utilities are included in your rent, your landlord may ask you to pay an additional fee for charging your electric vehicle on the property. You should directly ask with regards to this before you bring your new car home.

Public Charging

One final thing, you could also choose to 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 locate more free charging stations. But most public chargers usually charge by either the hour or kilowatt-hour (kWh), making public charging a more expensive option. You, as well, need to determine whether you are using the right type of charger for your vehicle. But, if charging your electric car at your rental home indeed isn’t a credible option, public charging would seem to be the best solution.

Securing an electric car can be a great way to save money and help the environment, but there are various factors that you need to always remember if you’re a renter. By following the tips above, you can see to it that owning an electric car works for both you and your landlord. And make certain to charge responsibly!

 

Are you trying to find a new rental home for you and your electric vehicle? Browse our listings to ascertain what’s available in your area!

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