Freedom From The Gas Station!

By Author: Peter Clarck
Total Articles: 19
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If one of the chores you dread most is a trip the gas station, you can rejoice now in the knowledge that no longer will you be tied to that finite flow of crude oil. When you own an electric car, you can just plug your car in and recharge it right at home. No longer will you have to worry about the rising prices of gas, or of the effect your gas use is having on the planet or on the economy. All you need to do is to charge your car with electricity and you are free to go wherever you want to go.

Of course, when you own an electric car it is inevitable that you will need to charge your car when you are away from home. You might need to ask a friend if you can plug in your vehicle while you are visiting. Most people will not hesitate to let you plug in your car to recharge, but the polite thing to do is to offer to pay for the extra electricity that you are using to charge your car. The cost for borrowing electricity is about 10 to 20 cents per hour.

If you use your electric car for business purposes it will be useful to know ahead of time which businesses allow electric car drivers to plug in at their establishments. ...
... If you are unsure, it is best that you call in advance and inquire if you can charge your electric vehicle at their establishment. Even so, you may find that most business establishments are willing to let you plug in your car. And it doesn’t hurt to ask.

You will find that when traveling to a restaurant, pub or hotel that is in a remote spot, they typically will allow their customers to charge their electric cars while patronizing the establishment. It is still best to call in advance to inquire about the charging of electric vehicles.

Sites for caravanning and camping also have electric car charging services in exchange for a small fee. Some sites have their own electricity for free charging, but if you are in Europe, you will need a 16 amp industrial plug to be able to connect to it.

When you borrow electricity to charge your car, you need to have an appropriate extension lead that can handle the current that is needed to charge your car. The lead should not be coiled or bunched up while charging so that it does not create a dangerous buildup of heat in your car. The lead should also have an RCD-protected plug. The socket where you will be plugging in your car for charging must also be sheltered from the elements.

Most owners of electric cars are able to arrange special agreements with their employers that allow them to charge their car from their workplace. Most employers are willing to allow their employees to charge their cars for free because it sends the message that their company is helping to take care of the environment.

There are some companies that require their employees to pay a fee for the electricity they use for charging their cars.

And then there are some instances where charging your car for free at the workplace can create a conflict between you and your coworkers. They may feel jealous that you are getting favors from the company which they cannot take advantage of. Under the circumstances, it is best that you take the initiative and offer to pay for the electricity that you are using to charge your car. An alternative is to offer to make a small donation to a charity of your business’s choice in exchange for your free electricity.

Often you will need an external power socket installed to be able to charge your electric car at your workplace. The cost differs depending on the site, but it is usually not excessive.

About Author:

Peter Clark is an energy and water management specialist guiding others to save energy and water. Check Solar365.com if you like to know more about electric cars.