Congratulations! You’ve Bought Your Electric Car: Now What? Page 2

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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ECOtality Blink charging station for electric & plug-in cars

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Sign up to a charging network (or several)

Although most charging of plug-in cars happens at home, there’s nothing better than knowing you can make a trip and top your car off when you arrive at a public charging station. 

Not only does it help quell those early-ownership range anxiety worries, but it ensures you always have access to a charging station when you’re far from home. 

Unfortunately, however, a wide range of different companies currently offer public charging access in the U.S. Most require you to sign up for a yearly subscription of a few dollars in exchange for an RFID smart card or keyfob. 

Once you’ve completed the forms and sent payment off, you’ll be sent a smart card which you will be able to use at whichever brand of charging network you’ve signed up for. 

Some networks charge for electricity on a pay-as-you-charge system, while others cover the cost of charging in the yearly subscription. 

To avoid a purse or wallet full of charging cards, ask other local plug-in owners which charging stations are most popular in your area, and only sign up for the networks you think you’ll use to avoid a wallet full of cards!

Get a smartphone, get apps

Owning a plug-in car and owning a smartphone go hand-in-hand. 

That’s because nearly every major plug-in automaker offers a range of Android, iOS or Windows smartphone apps that allow you to connect to your plug-in car remotely. 

Using these official apps--as well as a suite of well-written third-party apps--you can connect to your car, check how full its battery is, set preconditioning and charger timing, and in some cases, even unlock the doors. 

Not only does it mean you’ll never have to scrape ice off your car’s windshield again, but it means that come sun or snow, your car is ready to leave when you are. 

It isn’t just car connectivity, however, that makes smartphones ideal plug-in car companions.

Nissan Leaf Updated Carwings Software

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Today, there are an increasingly large number of applications devoted to finding a place to charge. 

These range from network-specific apps listing only certain brands of charging stations through to community driven plug-sharing projects and even state-wide or nationwide charging databases. 

Not only does this help you plan longer distance trips more effectively, but it can help you should the unexpected occur--and you find yourself at a broken charging station. 

Be prepared to EVangelize

As any plug-in owner will tell you, there’s a certain amount of time spent owning a plug-in car that consists of talking to other people about owning your car. 

Regardless of it being in the local grocery store parking lot, in your office, or at a specially-designated plug-in day event, people will want to know what life is like with a plug-in car. 

Common questions include answering things like “What’s it like to drive?”, or “How much does it cost to fill up?”, but you should also be prepared to answer the tougher questions that those who are less-convinced of plugin cars will ask you. 

If someone does stop you to ask about your car, remember that you’re an ambassador to plug-in cars. Be polite and honest. Don’t make up facts, and if you’re not sure of something, say so.

And, when it comes to coworkers, family, and friends, make sure you give them a ride in your new car. 

National Plug-In Day 2012: San Francisco, with 60 Nissan Leafs in front of the Golden Gate Bridge

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After all, there’s nothing better than an EV Grin to get others interested in plug-in cars!

Finally

There are plenty more things you can do--including buying solar panels, switching to a greener energy supplier and perhaps even selling your old gas car--but first and foremost, get out in your car and have fun. 

And once in a while, treat yourself to something with the money you’ve saved from not visiting the gas station once a week. 

What other advice would you give first-time plug-in owners? 

Leave your suggestions in the Comments below.

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