SMUD Electric Car Shopping Assistant

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* Lease calculations are estimates only

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EVSupport@smud.org

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DISCLAIMER: Information provided are estimates for the purpose of informing consumers of options and pricing that may be available to them. Your final price will vary.

Step 1		Confirm that you have a place to charge your EV that is convenient, available and reliable. Most customers will charge overnight when power rates may be lowest.
Step 2		If you are responsible for paying your power bill, check with your local utility to see which rate plan is best for you. Some utilities offer rate discounts and other generous incentives for EV drivers. Add utility incentives here
Step 3		If you plan to charge at home, contact a qualified electrician to have your home’s power supply evaluated. We always recommend charging your EV on a dedicated circuit used only for this purpose. Most circuits are shared. This means that the lines that supply power to your EV may also carry power to other household appliances. This can trip the circuit breaker and interrupt power. Add link to electricians here
Step 4		Consider your charging equipment options. Your EV will come with a basic charger as standard equipment that plugs into a standard 110 volt household outlet. For EVs with 30 miles of all-electric range or less, this appliance is typically sufficient to charge your EV fully while you sleep. For anything more you might consider purchasing a 220 volt charger. This is called a “Level 2” charger and there are many options available on the market.” Some manufacturers offer preferred charging equipment. You are under no obligation to purchase the manufacturer’s preferred brand. Feel free to shop around at electronics stores or online retailers. You can also use the PlugStar charger finder to help you decide which is best for you based on the make and model of the EV(s) you are considering.
Step 5		Consider your options for charging while away from home. Online resources such as PlugShare or ChargeHub display charging stations in your local area and beyond. While some may be free to use, others are privately operated networks that require a subscription. This is typically true of “fast charge” stations that most all-electric EVs (not plug-in hybrids) can take advantage of. Take a look at what’s available where you travel most and decide whether you wish to enroll in any of these networks. Many supply a card that you swipe or wave in front of the charger to unlock it for use. You may also be able to use the network’s smartphone app to do the same. Add link to charging networks here
Step 6		Get a quote from your auto insurance company or shop around for quotes. Many insurers offer special discounts for EV buyers. Add links to insurance companies here
Step 7		Consider using an EV concierge service such as CurrentEV. Limit to LA Area
Step 8		Consider solar! With solar, you can charge your EV on sunshine. Not only does this reduce your environmental footprint it can also save you a lot of money. Many solar manufacturers and installers offer great deals and discounts for EV drivers. We encourage you to explore your solar options as you consider your next ride. Add solar companies with special EV programs and third-party solar shopping sites such as EnergySage and Pick My Solar