Electric Vehicles

Noble REMC aims to always be at the forefront of new technology, especially when it betters the lives of our members and the co-op.

Electric vehicles are a new frontier, giving us an opportunity to innovate and launch our EV time-of-use rate program – Charge Ahead. The program provides members who own electric vehicles the option to increase their energy efficiency, while also saving them money.

This is accomplished through the introduction of a time-of-use rate for members who sign up and “Charge Ahead” with us, which will provide a discounted rate for charging at certain times of the day. We hope this will encourage EV owners to charge their vehicle outside of our peak time from 5-8 p.m., when electricity is more expensive because of the higher amount of demand on our system. This will allow EV owners to save money, while also helping us to maintain the reliability of our grid.

The technology behind EVs continues to evolve, and as your local electric cooperative, it's our duty to think about how EVs will impact energy use and how we can stay ahead of the curve. We plan to be prepared when EVs make their mark in northeast Indiana.

Don't know much about electric vehicles?

Here's a bit of information to get you started:

How do I charge?

Typically, manufacturers will include a charger with the purchase of the vehicle. Level 2 chargers are 240 volts and the most appropriate option for home charging.

Either the vehicle or the charger (or both) will be considered “smart.” With simple programming, you can plug your vehicle in anytime, and it will charge the battery for you while you sleep.

With a simple adaptor, Level 2 chargers can be plugged into an existing basic dryer/welder receptacle, or they can be hard-wired into your breaker panel. Either way, you may need to hire an electrician to ensure you have room in your breaker panel. Noble REMC will check your transformer and electrical service sizing to ensure you are able to install a Level 2 charger in your home.

How long does it take to fully charge an EV?

Most electric vehicles can be charged from empty to 100% with a Level 2 charger inside of 10 hours.

What does it cost to charge?

For the middle-of-the-road EV (88kWh battery), $9-12 at Noble REMC’s current rates. If you participate in Charge Ahead, our EV time-of-use rate program, and charge between 8 p.m. and 2 p.m., the total would be less than $5.

What is the impact to my electric bill?

Using the all-wheel drive Ford Mustang Mach-E (3.07 miles per kWh), driving 200 miles per week, with Noble REMC’s current rates:

200 miles divided by 3.07 equals 65.15 kWh or $6.50 each week for a total of $26 on your monthly bill. (This is an estimate, as driving habits will affect the actual number.)

How do I find public chargers?

Typically, your vehicle manufacturer will offer a mapping app with locations of available chargers. There are also several nationwide charging networks available, all of which have an app you can download on your phone to help you find charging stations and plan your route to your destination.

What is the availability of public charging stations?

The public charging network is growing daily. Before purchasing an EV, you can download one or multiple charging apps that will give you the locations of public charging stations and also indicate if they're available at that moment. Currently, the stations are primarily located in largely populated, retail areas. As the demand continues to grow, they are being installed in different types of locations. For example, Noble REMC installed a Level 2 ChargePoint charger at Country Heritage Winery, which is located off of S.R. 3 in LaOtto and can accommodate two vehicles.

According to a survey by Consumer Reports, the maintenance cost of an EV is half the cost of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. With fewer moving parts than a gasoline-powered vehicle, electric vehicles have a smaller chance for malfunctions or breakdowns.

Currently, every battery in an electric vehicle sold in the U.S. comes with a 100,000-mile warranty.

You should be able to take your EV to the dealership you purchased it from for any maintenance issues you may have. Most, if not all, manufacturers are utilizing an over-the-air diagnostic program to keep your vehicle operating as it should.

In our experience with Noble REMC's Ford Mustang Mach-E, a normal maintenance appointment includes a tire rotation, cabin air filter replacement (at alternating appointments) and any computer updates that need to take place that couldn't be handled over the air.

As it is with an internal combustion vehicle, cold weather, hard driving and hauling a load or trailer will affect an EV’s battery usage.

The current rule of thumb for extreme cold weather is 30% degradation on your battery. Meaning, if your battery is rated to give you 300 miles on a full charge, you should plan for 210 miles when it is extremely cold. Again, driving habits and commutes will affect these numbers, just as it would with a gasoline-powered vehicle.

ANNUAL MEETING:

How far can I drive on a full charge?

What do I need to know about charging at home?

What if I need to charge my EV away from home?

What is the maintenance of an electric vehicle?

How does cold weather or hauling affect my battery?