If you’re a renter, you may be looking into how that works with taking an electric car. Electric cars come with a range of benefits, but on the flip side, there are a whole lot of things you need to be aware of before bringing your electric car home to your Oxbow rental house. From here onwards, we will discuss a handful of tenant responsibilities that come with electric car ownership while renting. We will, additionally, give out tips on making owning an electric car work for you!
Electric Cars and Renting
You might already ascertain the multitude of benefits of electric cars. First, they’re more affordable to operate than gas cars. Electric vehicles also emit considerably less pollution than gas cars, making them a more environmentally friendly option. And, arising from the fact that electric vehicles are powered by electricity, you’ll never again have to worry when it comes to running out of gas!
These payoffs and benefits make electric cars a tempting and economical alternative choice for renters. But while you may not need to be burdened by gas prices, you do need to understand the best practices for charging your vehicle between uses.
Charging Solutions
To charge an electric vehicle, you have to connect it to an external power source using a charging cable. The time needed to charge an electric car depends on the size of its battery and the type of charger you’re contemplating using. A home charger is usually the slowest possible recourse, and in contrast, public chargers are usually the fastest.
The majority of the electric cars need a proprietary charging station, but, indeed, others can be plugged into a 120v or 240v outlet in a garage or carport. There are good and bad points to all options.
Charging Station
One of the huge benefits of a charging station is that it is devised to rapidly replenish your electric vehicle’s battery in a short amount of time. But then again, they can be expensive to purchase and install. You may also particularly need your Oxbow property manager’s permission to install the unit, and based on what kind of agreement you can make with your landlord, you may need to leave the station behind if you move.
120v Outlet
120v outlets, in contrast, are much more prevalent and can be used with any electric car. To effectively use one, you only need a cord long enough to reach from your vehicle to the outlet. Though take note they charge at a much slower pace than proprietary stations. Recharging an average daily commute using a 120v outlet may take all night.
240v Outlet
You could, as well, consider a 240v outlet if your garage or carport already has one. These outlets are frequently used for large appliances, like electric dryers. With that said, if you don’t yet have a 240v outlet installed somewhere accessible, you need to have one installed. Much like the charging station, you would need to get the landlord’s permission first and then pay for the installation, knowing you won’t be able to take it with you. Anyhow, a 240v outlet will charge an electric vehicle far quicker than a 120v outlet – customarily in just a few hours.
It doesn’t matter which option you single out and use, always keep 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. Still, if utilities are included in your rent, your landlord may ask you to pay an additional fee for charging your electric vehicle on the property. You should certainly ask concerning this matter before you bring your new car home.
Public Charging
One last thing, you could consider charging 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 locate a handful of free charging stations. But most public chargers often charge by either the hour or kilowatt-hour (kWh), making public charging a more expensive option. At the same time, you need to always make sure you are using the correct type of charger for your vehicle. With that said, if charging your electric car at your rental home isn’t a feasible option, public charging is most probably the best solution.
Obtaining an electric car can be an excellent means to save money and help the environment, but there are plenty of factors that you need to consider if you’re a renter. By following the tips above, you can completely make sure that owning an electric car works for both you and your landlord. And see to it to charge responsibly!
Are you looking for 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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