An Electric Vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that runs on electricity, powered by rechargeable battery packs. 

There are two main types of EVs:

• Battery electric vehicle - all power is stored in a battery.
• Hybrid electric vehicles - have a down-sized internal combustion engine in addition to the battery.

EVs have several benefits. They are a more energy efficiency and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vehicles: 

• EVs do not emit tailpipe pollutants and provide better local air quality.
• The cost and savings of EVs are better than gasoline-powered vehicles as there are federal and state tax credits that offset the cost of purchasing an EV. EVs have minimal maintenance cost compared to traditional vehicles. Miles per gallon and miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) cost comparison for a year shows significant ongoing cost savings while driving an EV.
• There’s a feel-good factor by knowing that as an EV owner, the carbon footprint is less than a non-EV.
• You won’t have to go to the gas station anymore because you can often charge from the convenience of your home or at public charging stations. 

Yes, EVs are held to the same national safety standards. Charging your EV is just as safe as charging your cell phone.

Visit a dealership to get more information about tax credits, EV charging process, costs and savings. Visit www.driveelectricnoco.org for more information. 

The City does not have any rebates for purchasing an EV, but there are federal and state tax credits available.

Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon-based energy sources you use to charge your EV. You can reduce the amount of energy that comes from carbon sources through the following programs:

• Fort Collins Utilities efficiency and renewable energy programs
• Efficiency Works Store 

The City operates and maintains public charging stations (Level 2) at eight locations around Fort Collins:

1. Civic Center Parking Structure – 144 N Mason St.
2. Mulberry Pool – 424 W Mulberry St.
3. EdoraPool Ice Center (EPIC) – 1801 Riverside Dr. 
4. Fort Collins Senior Center – 1200 Raintree Dr.
5. South Transit Center – 4915 Fossil Blvd.
6. Platte River Power Authority – 2000 E Horsetooth
7. Fort Collins Utilities – 700 Wood St.
8. Firehouse Alley Parking Structure – 160 Chestnut St.

There are other charging stations that are not operated by the City. View an interactive map of all charging stations around Fort Collins at: https://chargehub.com/en/charging-stations-map.html 

*Please note, charging stations are listed here for awareness only. The status of individual chargers may vary.

• Level 1: Provides charging through a 120-volt plug. It doesn’t require installation of additional charging equipment and is the slowest type of charging. 
  Typical location: homes.  
  One hour of charging provides 2–5-mile range. 
  
• Level 2: Provides charging through a 240-volt plug, just like the one you may have for an electric dryer. It requires installation of specialty charging equipment and may require an electrician. 
  Typical location: homes, public charging, at-work charging.  
  One hour of charging provides 10–20-mile range. 
  
• DC Fast Charger or Level 3: Provides charging through 480-volt specialty plug and charging equipment. 
  Typical location: public charging stations.  
  20 minutes of charging provides 60–80-mile range. 

The ability to charge your EV at home is not only convenient, but, if you charge during off-peak hours, it’s also cheaper to charge at home than at a public charging station.  Many Level 2 chargers are connected via your home Wi-Fi, so that you can manage charging remotely.  

The cost varies with different brands of chargers, labor and need for any electrical upgrades. On average, installation of a Level 2 charger at home may cost between $400 and $1000. If your EV home charging unit requires an increase in size of your electrical panel’s main breaker, please check with your electric utility for costs associated with modifying your electric service. 

Visit the Efficiency Works Store or Platte River Power Authority to find out if there are rebates on the Level 2 chargers that may help offset the cost.   

There is no requirement of a permit to install a Level 2 charger at home; however, if you need electrical work done, a licensed electrician can help you determine if any permits are required.

The charging cost associated with an EV is about the same or less than the cost required to operate an average central air conditioner or water heater for few hours. Charging during off-peak hours maximizes your cost savings. 

Depends on whether you’re charging you vehicle during on-peak or off-peak hours.

For example, let’s say you are charging your electric vehicle during off-peak hours and it has a 24-kilowatt-hour size battery. If the electricity costs $0.07 per kilowatt-hour, then the cost to charge your EV at home would be $1.68 (assuming the battery is fully depleted). 

The best time to charge an EV is during off-peak hours as the rates are three times less than on-peak hours.  

You can find more information on Time-of-Day (TOD) at Fort Collins Utilities Residential Electric Rates.