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There probably isn’t a Huntington Park or Downey driver who hasn’t been considering making the switch to an electric vehicle. Upcoming changes to pollution laws that includes being rid of gasoline-powered cars by 2035 make it understandable that people have questions. With a high population of renters, we know many people are asking how you power an electric car in an apartment, and if an electric car is worth it if you live in an apartment. Get more information about living in Los Angeles with an EV from Nissan of Downtown L.A..
First and foremost, talk to your apartment building’s property manager or owner about your charging options. Many apartment complexes are beginning to install charging stations for their tenants, and others might just need some tenant encouragement to invest in their property’s infrastructure. If that’s the case with your Bell Gardens apartment, ask how many chargers they plan to install, how much it will cost to use them, and what charging level they will offer. Level 2 and 3 chargers offer much faster charging. Level 2 chargers can fill a battery in six to 12 hours, while level 1 DC charging can get the job done in under an hour. If your apartment complexes has a single level 2 charger, tenants with EVs will likely need to work out a schedule.
Some apartment complexes will allow you to install your own charger. Do not do this unless you have written consent from your property owner.
If your apartment building doesn’t have a charger, can you plug an electric car into a regular outlet? You can use a 120V or 220V outlet, but there are several potential problems with using this method to power an electric car in an apartment. This is the slowest charging method available, taking up to 50 hours for a full battery charge. Also, there’s a chance the building’s circuit panel won’t support EV charging, which can be a fire hazard. If you do opt to plug your electric car into a regular outlet, you’ll need to run a heavy-duty extension cord from your apartment to the EV. Otherwise you’re at risk of stealing someone else’s electricity.
If your apartment doesn’t have a charger, you can’t install one of your own, or your apartment is too far from your parking to effectively use 120V charging from a regular outlet, it might not be time for you to purchase an all-electric vehicle yet. A hybrid might be a better option. Or, if you have any of these scenarios, you can make it work:
Is an electric car worth it if you live in an apartment? Possibly! Look at the tax incentives and fuel costs for an EV and bring them into consideration when you’re deciding if the EV benefits outweigh potential hassles. Learn more about what to expect when you buy an EV by paying a visit to the Nissan of Downtown L.A. EV hub. You can contact us with your EV questions, too.
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