Different Ways You Can Charge Your Electric Vehicle Without a Garage in Baltimore

The cost of gas has risen nearly 50% in the past year, leaving many drivers eager for a way to save money at the pump. As a result, many Baltimore residents are looking to purchase an electric vehicle for a more cost efficient, environmentally friendly way to get around town. However, before heading to the dealership, it’s important to do your research to understand what you’re committing to, particularly if you’ve never owned an electric vehicle before. One of the most important factors to consider is how you’re going to charge your car, particularly if you don’t have a garage where you live.

However, if you’re looking to purchase an electric vehicle, don’t let that be a deterrent. There are many ways to charge your vehicle, from statewide charging networks to easily accessible public chargers in some of the places you visit the most, including malls, hotels, and grocery stores. To help inform your decision, our team outlined some of the ways you can charge your car without a garage below:

Using a Charger Network

Did you know the state of Maryland has a program dedicated to building a statewide charger network? In 2019, BGE, Delmarva Power, and PEPCO partnered to create the EVSmart Program with the goal to expand access to electric vehicle chargers and help combat climate change by building a map of nearby chargers for drivers to use. Businesses with public chargers and homeowners with in-home vehicle chargers can register their charger on the network for other drivers to use free of charge!

Public Chargers

As electric vehicles become more popular, many Baltimore-area businesses are installing public chargers in their parking lots for drivers to use as needed. These charging stations are often conveniently located at shopping centers, libraries, government offices and more for added flexibility and peace of mind. Many businesses have even registered their public charging stations online using third-party websites so you can easily locate them when needed!

Installing an In-Home Charger

Yes, you read that correctly: you can you install an in-home car charger without having a garage! All you need is access to an electrical outlet and a dedicated area to park your car. However, before installing an in-home charger, it’s important to know the type of charger that’s best for you:

• Level 1 Chargers: These plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and require no professional installation. Though these are the most cost-efficient chargers, they also take the longest to charge your vehicle.
• Level 2 Chargers: These chargers give you the most bang for your buck. While these chargers require professional installation, they provide more power at 240-volts of electric power and will charge your vehicle faster than its Level 1 counterpart.
• Level 2 Smart Charger: These chargers offer the same benefits as a standard Level 2 Charger but can be controlled through an app on your phone for added convenience.

No matter the charger you choose, it’s important that your charger and the outlet it’s plugged into are properly weatherproofed to lower the risk of harm to you, your family, and your home. We strongly recommend having your charger installed by an expert electrician like our team at Milton Electric to ensure your charger is wired correctly.

When you’re ready to install your in-home electric vehicle charger, contact the team at Milton Electric at (410) 276-3420 to schedule an in-home estimate or to learn more!