Articles

Guide to EV Charger Installation

dan@treehouse.pro (Daniel Francis) — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Summary

The best and fastest option of most people is to install Level 2 charging, which provides 20-40 miles of range per hour of charge and fully recharges your EV overnight.
The three most important considerations when choosing a Level 2 charger are price, ability to schedule charging when your electricity prices are lowest, and charging speed.
Many local utility providers and air quality management districts (AQMDs) offer significant rebates to make Level 2 charger installation more affordable.
Level 2 EV charger installation with Treehouse is simple and convenient. Take our short, online survey to receive an instant, personalized estimate. We’ll help you select the right charger for your needs and identify available rebates to make installation even more affordable.

Road Tripping with an EV

eric@treehouse.pro (Eric Owski) — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:00:00 GMT

As we all know, the American notion of a road trip on an open road has been thoroughly romanticized for decades, but are we at the point where it's actually possible to take a road trip across the country in an EV? The range anxiety that many people feel when considering a road trip with an Electric Vehicle is slowly, but surely being addressed. The pure electric models on the market today have a median range of over 250 miles. The 2020 model year marked the first year anEV has achieved an EPA estimated maximum range of over 400 miles. Here at Treehouse we believe that with some planning and a little extra patience, road tripping with an EV is totally possible!

Planning is key
We cannot emphasize enough just how important it is to plan your route around charging stations in advance. An important starting point is PlugShare’s easy-to-use map that shows accommodations with free charging stations alongside the ones that must be paid for. Keep in mind, depending on the type of electric car you have, you may need an adapter to plug in and charge using public chargers (e.g. plugging any EV into a Tesla charger, for example). Make sure to plan your route around fast chargers and be mindful of range. A Better Routeplanner can also help drivers find the most efficient routes. It’s generally suggested that drivers give themselves at least a 10% buffer as they look around for chargers on the road. In the Northeast, for example, Electrify America operates a vast fast-charger network, which means most EV owners resort to Electrify America chargers exclusively when in the area. There are a number of resources available to check for operational chargers in your area, separate from PlugShare’s map. EVgo, Chargepoint, and the Alternative Fuels Data Center offer information about chargers all over the U.S. with some resources extending into Canada! In addition, hotels with EV charging stations are your new best friend. They exist for YOU, so take advantage of them whenever possible. Travel resources like Expedia have made it increasingly easy to filter hotels based on EV Charging Station access.

Energy Efficiency
This matters more than you might think! Proper vehicle maintenance and driving practices can most definitely help increase energy efficiency, and lessen the headache surrounding charging on the road. Increased and unnecessary acceleration will decrease energy efficiency. Generally, 50 mph has been cited as the ideal speed to cruise at. When on the highway, an average of 75 mph has been used for most range-related tests which is key to note when planning longer trips. Additionally, weather can also impact range. Under one test, EVs lost an average of 18.5% of their range in temperatures below freezing, at -2 degrees C (28.4 degrees F). In short, make sure to strategically factor weather into your road trip planning to save you headaches in the future.

Other Tips and Tricks
In summary, always road trip with a charging cord, extension cord, and adapters. Make sure you look for charging stations along your route ahead of time and combine charging stops with food stops or supply runs. Remember that EVs are uniquely suited for highway driving and newer EV models continue to show increased range capabilities. Planning clear routes, mapping charging stations, and remaining aware of the factors that influence energy efficiency will make you take road tripping on the open road to a whole new level!

Check out The Ultimate Guide to Road Tripping with an EV for more information!

Saving Money with an EV

eric@treehouse.pro (Eric Owski) — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:00:00 GMT

The recent surge in gas prices has made the economics of EV ownership seem better than ever. But beyond saving on gas prices, there are a number of other ways to reduce the cost of EV ownership. All EV owners can strategically approach home charging, rate plans, and vehicle maintenance in smart and cost-effective ways and we’re here to help you figure it out as easily as possible.

Levels of Chargers

nick@treehouse.pro (Nick Sherry) — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT

New Electric Vehicle owners and those interested in purchasing an EV in the near future all feel pressure to understand the jargon and technicalities associated with EV charging. Trust us, we know it’s confusing, but we’re here to help! At face value, there are three types of EV charging speeds that every electric vehicle owner should fully understand. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3/DC Fast Charging.