If you’re a renter, you may be taking into consideration how that works with procuring an electric car. Electric cars come with a range of benefits, but on the flip side, there are lots of things you need to consider before bringing your electric car home to your Torrance rental house. Moving forward, we will touch on a few tenant responsibilities that come with electric car ownership while renting. We will, moreover, provide tips on making owning an electric car work for you!
Electric Cars and Renting
You might already be knowledgeable of the multiple benefits of electric cars. For one, they’re more affordable to operate than gas cars. Electric vehicles also emit much lower pollution than gas cars, making them a more environmentally friendly option. And, since electric vehicles are powered by electricity, you can rest easy when it comes to running out of gas!
These positive benefits make electric cars an attractive and economical alternative for renters. Though you may not need to be annoyed about gas prices, you do need to realize an efficient way to charge your vehicle between uses.
Charging Solutions
To charge an electric vehicle, you’ll need to connect it to an external power source using a charging cable. The amount of time required to charge an electric car depends on the size of its battery and the kind of charger you’re using. A home charger is, in general, the slowest selection, whereas public chargers are usually the fastest.
Some electric cars need a proprietary charging station, while others can be plugged into a 120v or 240v outlet in a garage or carport. There are advantages and disadvantages to all options.
Charging Station
One of the greatest benefits of a charging station is that it is designed to straight away replenish your electric vehicle’s battery in a short amount of time. But at any rate, they can be expensive to purchase and install. You may also need your Torrance property manager’s permission to install the unit, and contingent on what kind of agreement you can undertake to work out, you may need to leave the station behind if you move.
120v Outlet
120v outlets, conversely, are much more commonly available and can be easily used with any electric car. To use one, you simply need a cord long enough to reach from your vehicle to the outlet. Be that as it may, they charge slower than proprietary stations. Recharging an average daily commute using a 120v outlet may take all night.
240v Outlet
You could likewise take a 240v outlet if your garage or carport already has one. These outlets are commonly set for large appliances, like electric dryers. But certainly, if you don’t have a 240v outlet installed somewhere accessible, you need to have one installed. Just the same with the charging station, you would need to have landlord permission first and then pay for the installation, knowing you won’t be able to take it with you. With that said, a plus point is that a 240v outlet will charge an electric vehicle more speedily than a 120v outlet – conventionally in just a few hours.
Never mind which option you favor, 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 certainly, if utilities are included in your rent, your landlord may have you pay an additional fee for charging your electric vehicle on the property. You should straightforwardly ask about this before you bring your new car home.
Public Charging
Last but not least thing to know, you could 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 successfully find more free charging stations. But more public chargers usually charge by either the hour or kilowatt-hour (kWh), making public charging a more expensive option. And take note, you also need to make certain you are using the appropriate type of charger for your vehicle. But, if in fact, charging your electric car at your rental home isn’t a very good option, public charging may be the best solution for you.
Obtaining an electric car can be the right direction to save money and help the environment, but there are plenty of factors that you need to note if you’re a renter. By following the tips above, you can warrant that owning an electric car works for both you and your landlord. And ascertain to charge responsibly!
Are you trying to find a new rental home for you and your electric vehicle? Browse our listings to know what’s available in your area!
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