If you’re going to go the DIY route, first consider your goal. Is your primary desire to own a plug-in vehicle? If so, there are plenty of great used options to consider. Buying a Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt already comes with the factory warranty and, in many cases, is less expensive than a similarly-sized gasoline vehicle.
Another option is to Build your EV own EV using a kit car. KC in Cincinnati, one of our Cooley on Cars viewers, is building a Factory Five 818, a kit car that looks like a cross between a Lotus Evora and a Porsche Cayman. The bare kit costs about $10,000. Adding a 2002-2007 Subaru powertrain and batteries will cost an additional $20,000 or so, which is the price of a new low-cost EV.
Local EV charging station infrastructure is critical to support the growth of EV ownership and use. Communities can evaluate EV charger needs with a gap analysis. The process helps determine the type and number of chargers required at a given location, which is helpful when working with developers to design EV-ready parking garages and buildings.
Community leaders can also work with utilities to assess a community’s readiness for EV charging stations. Utilities are important partners for EV charging station projects and can provide data on average electricity rates and usage which is helpful when considering siting for EV charging. Utilities may also offer EV charging purchasing incentives or technical assistance programs to help mitigate the upfront costs of EV charger installation. For example, Michigan’s “Dig Once” rule encourages statewide coordination of infrastructure planning to reduce construction costs.
To identify utility-related EV charger initiatives, visit the U-Finder tool to search for a specific state or zip code. Also, refer to the Laws and Incentives page to find EV charging-related laws and programs at the federal and state levels.
Educating your community on EV charging is vital for successful EV adoption. Start by reaching out to your local Clean Cities and Communities coalition, listed in the Coalition Contact Directory. These nonprofit organizations serve urban, suburban, and rural communities across the United States. Your coalition director can connect you with EV charging station funding sources and state and regional engagement opportunities. They can also provide information on statewide EV charging plans and roadmaps, including EV adoption goals and charging station needs. They can also share information about EV charging education and outreach efforts underway by local stakeholders, such as potential site hosts for EV charging stations.
