When you get behind the wheel of a new BMW vehicle, you’re treated to plenty of performance for an exciting Normal commute. With that being said, the popularity of electric vehicles is becoming increasingly popular and thanks to the advancements in technology, BMW electric vehicles like the new BMW i4 can offer the same level of performance with the added benefit of an EV powertrain.
But, before you add one to your fleet of cars, how do you charge an electric car at home? It’s simple. There are many different ways to charge your electric vehicle, but most of them involve plugging in your vehicle when you run out of battery power. Today, the experts at BMW of Bloomington are going to go over some of the electric car charger installation options you’ll have when you opt for an EV. We’ll also help you answer some of the following questions:
There are three main ways to charge your electric vehicle, allowing for flexibility to perfectly fit your busy routine. Let’s take a look at the different charging levels available for an EV:
Level 1 chargers utilize a standard household outlet. This will likely be a popular choice for many Urbana drivers that own an electric vehicle. In some new BMW EVs, a 120v charger can get up to four miles of range per one hour of charging*.
Level 2 charging is available at home with an electric vehicle charging station installed, or at public charging stations. Level 2 charging is a bit quicker than Level 1 charging and with a 240v charger, new BMW EVs can charge up to 40 miles of range per one hour of charging**.
This is the quickest way to charge an EV. DC Fast Charging offers a high-powered charger providing up to 108 miles of ranging per every 10 minutes of charging***. DC Fast Chargers are typically only available in public charging stations.
If you own a home in the Decatur area, the most common way to charge your EV is by opting for an electric car charger installation. But how do EV home charger installations work? Here’s what the process make look like when you opt for an electric car:
Many EV owners often ask us, “Should I charge my car every night?” and the simple answer is no. Most modern electric vehicles have an impressive driving range, meaning it’s unlikely that you’ll use your vehicle’s full range in a day’s worth of commuting and driving. With that being said, it’s important to plan ahead and keep an eye on your electric driving range. If you notice that it’s become low and you’ve got a long drive the next day, it’s a good idea to plug your electric vehicle in just in case.
We’ve touched on preparing your home for an electric charger, but what if you live in an apartment? Fortunately, many apartment complexes are having EV charging stations installed so that you can charge your EV overnight while you’re home instead of driving around, looking for a charging station. However, we know that not every apartment complex will have an EV charging station. If not, we recommend locating your nearest charging station so that you have the adequate driving range at all times.
You can even work charging your vehicle into your daily routine. For example, if your office has a charging station, consider charging it there while you’re working. Or, maybe the grocery store near you or your favorite gym has a charging station, you can utilize those as you’re going about your day and include charging your vehicle. It’s also a good idea to speak to your apartment complex before you opt for an EV. Learn about your charging options and if there may even be the possibility of an EV charging station being installed in the future!
If you have questions about how to charge an electric car at an apartment or any other concerns regarding EVs, you can always contact our team at BMW of Bloomington for assistance. If you’re ready to take home an electric vehicle, visit our Bloomington dealership to explore our EV inventory today!
*Time and range estimates for the BMW i4 and iX all-electric vehicles, and all BMW plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, when charged with a 120V charger.
**40 miles per 1 hour of charging estimated for the 2022 BMW i4, 30 miles per 1 hour of charging estimated for the 2022 BMW iX all-electric vehicle, according to preliminary numbers. BMW plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can achieve 10 miles per 1 hour of charging.
***Up to 108 miles per 10 minutes of charging estimated for the 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 all-electric vehicle. Up to 97 miles per 10 minutes of charging estimated for the 2022 BMW i4 M50 all-electric vehicle and up to 90 miles per 10 minutes of charging estimated for the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.
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