You’re likely noticing more electric vehicles on the road and charging stations in shopping areas and other public locations. The increasing popularity of EVs is being driven by several factors, such as new vehicle options, lower prices, additional charging stations, and financial incentives.

According to Kelley Blue Book, EVs accounted for 7.6% of vehicle sales in 2023, which was up from 5.9% in 2022. That market share is even larger when factoring in hybrid vehicles. While EVs may not work for everyone’s daily driving requirements, they can provide many benefits, such as lower operating costs and less maintenance.

If you’re considering making the switch to an EV, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is here to help. As your trusted local energy partner, we can help you make informed decisions about home charging options and factors to help you decide whether an EV works for your typical driving needs.

Types of EVs
There are three common types of EVs. All-electric vehicles, also known as battery electric vehicles or BEVs, are powered solely by a large battery. Because BEVs are powered by a rechargeable battery and do not use gasoline, they produce zero emissions. On average, BEVs can run for 110 to 300 miles on a full battery.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are powered by a combination of a large battery, an electric motor, and a gas-powered engine. PHEVs recharge battery power from regenerative braking and can also be plugged in to a standard outlet. Depending on the model, they can run on full battery power alone for 15 to 60 miles.

Hybrid electric vehicles use an electric motor to assist gas-powered engines. Similar to PHEVs, HEVs can also recharge their battery power from regenerative braking, but the power comes from the gas engine, and they do not
plug in to an electric outlet.

Home charging options
Most new BEVs and PHEVs include a Level 1 charging unit (110-volt-compatible), which can be plugged into any standard household electric outlet. A Level 1 charger typically provides 2 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging, which may work for those with shorter daily commutes.

For those with lengthier daily drive times, installing a Level 2 charger for faster charging, at 10 to 30 miles of range per
hour, can be a good option. A Level 2 charger uses 240-volt service, which may require electric upgrades performed by a licensed electrician.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative can help
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative offers a special EV rider for EV charging at night (during off-peak energy hours) and a $1,000 rebate when you install a new Level 2 electric vehicle charger. Residential members must own or lease an all electric vehicle and install a separate meter. This meter will only measure the EV charger electric use. The rebate covers installation of the charger, which can be completed by the cooperative’s licensed and insured electricians. You must be on the cooperative’s EV rider or Time of Day rate to qualify. Learn more here or call 513-867-4400.

If you own an EV, we encourage you to contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. As more consumers make the switch to EVs, it’s important for the co-op to understand EV charging needs for our local community. Click here to let us know!

If you’re considering making the switch to an EV, contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative for more information about
charging options and requirements, as well as energy-saving tips for the road ahead.