OPALCO is EV (Electric Vehicle) Ready!
The automobile industry is producing a new generation of electric vehicles (EV) and your local electric cooperative is ready to help members keep them charged at home and in town. OPALCO has the capacity to bring electric vehicles onto the grid without major system improvements and can manage the additional load.
Charging Stations
OPALCO hosts electric car charging stations on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands through the ChargePoint Network. The units offer Level One (120-volt) and Level Two (240-volt) charging. Anyone can access these charging stations by calling the phone number printed on the front of the unit; you do not have to be a ChargePoint or OPALCO member. The cost to charge an EV is $2.81 per hour. Electric car owners can streamline the charging process with a ChargePass smart card from ChargePoint – giving access to the national network of EV charging stations.
The EV charging locations are:
Orcas Island – Island Market (469 Market St., Eastsound) – south side of building next to barber shop
Lopez Island – Lopez Village Store (162 Weeks St., Lopez Village)
San Juan Island – Key Bank (95 2nd St., Friday Harbor)
Check out an EV Charging Station
Preparing for Electric Vehicles
What do members need to know to get ready for electric vehicles? Most of the existing electric cars use a “Level One” 120-volt charge from a standard household outlet; no modifications are required. The newest electric cars use a “Level Two” 240-volt charge and will require members to add a new circuit in their home electrical panel, and a plug similar to that used for an electric clothes dryer. Whether you hire a licensed electrician or do it yourself, you’ll need to get a permit from L&I – it’s a simple online form and fee of about $60.
How long does it take to charge an EV? Most plug-in hybrid electric cars take 4-6 hours to fully charge at Level One; battery electric cars take 12-24 hours for a full charge at Level One. Most battery electric vehicles will take only 3-6 hours to fully charge at Level Two. Check your owner’s manual for specific charging times and requirements for your electric vehicle.
Electric Vehicle Resources
- Go to ChargePoint for more information on the national ChargePoint Network including location maps and status updates of charging units.
- Learn more about the benefits of all-electric vehicles from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- OPALCO’s Nissan LEAF is here! Check out the article in the Bellingham Herald - and look for us on around the islands. Check the Sharing the Load blog for updates on how the car is performing.
