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By Josh Goldman
It's 90 degrees here in our nation's capital but it might feel like the winter holiday season to those who reserved a Tesla Model 3. Expected to have a 215-mile range and sticker price of $35,000 (or $27,500 after the federal tax credit), the Model 3 will compete with the similar spec'd Chevy Bolt for the prize of cornering the early majority of electric vehicle owners.
No other automaker has a relatively affordable, 200 mile-plus range electric vehicle on the market, yet (the nextgen Nissan Leaf will compete too), and one or both of these vehicles may be a pivotal point in the modern shift to electrics. Assuming you're already sold on the benefits of driving on electricity, here are a couple tips for you to consider if you're prepping for an electric vehicle.
1. Prepare Your Home Charging
There are two main options for charging an electric vehicle at home: (1) 120V charging from an ordinary home outlet and (2) 240V charging from either an upgraded home circuit or existing circuit for a heavy electric appliance like a drying machine.
There is also DC fast charging, but that is only applicable to charging on-the-go and described in more detail below. Before deciding on how to charge, talk with a couple licensed electricians to better understand your home's electrical capacity. Mr. Electric appears to win the Google SEO for "electrician for electric vehicle," so maybe head there for a start.
Electric Vehicle Charging Level 1 (120 volts)—about 4-6 miles of range per hour of charge
- Uses an ordinary wall outlet just like a toaster.
- Typically won't require modifications to electric panels or home wiring.
- Confirm that your home's electrical circuits are at least 15 or 20-amp, single pole by consulting with a licensed electrician.
- Slow, but can get the job done if you don't drive that much on a daily basis. If you only need 20 miles of range, for example, only getting 20 miles of charge each night is not a problem. For road trips, most EVs are equipped to handle the faster charging options that can make charging pit stops on road trips pretty quick.
Electric Vehicle ChargingLevel 2 (240 volts)—about 10-25 miles of range per hour of charge
- Installation costs vary, but here's a 30-amp charger from Amazon that is highly rated and costs around $900, including installation, and here's one that includes an algorithm to minimize charging emissions and costs.
- Will likely require a new dedicated circuit from the electric panel to a wall location near the EV parking spot.
- Consult with a licensed electrician to verify that your home has a two-pole 30 to 50-amp electrical circuit breaker panel.
Electric Vehicle Charging Level 3 (aka DC fast charging) (400 volts)—Not for home use, but can charge battery up to 80 percent in about 30 minutes
- The fastest charging method available, but prohibitively expensive for home use.
- Some vehicles can get an 80 percent full charge in as little as 30 minutes, depending on the electric vehicle type.
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By Claire L. Jarvis
A ruckus over biofuels has been brewing in Iowa.
By Whitney E. Akers
- "The Game Changers" is a new documentary on Netflix that posits a vegan diet can improve athletic performance in professional athletes.
- Limited studies available show that the type of diet — plant-based or omnivorous — doesn't give you an athletic advantage.
- We talked to experts about what diet is the best for athletic performance.
Packed with record-setting athletes displaying cut physiques and explosive power, "The Game Changers," a new documentary on Netflix, has a clear message: Vegan is best.
By John R. Platt
When it comes to solving problems related to wildlife trade, there are an awful lot of "sticky widgets."
By Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Inflammation can be both good and bad.
On one hand, it helps your body defend itself from infection and injury. On the other hand, chronic inflammation can lead to weight gain and disease.
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By Dan Nosowitz
It's no secret that the past few years have been disastrous for the American farming industry.
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By Bijal Trivedi
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on Nov. 13 that describes a list of microorganisms that have become resistant to antibiotics and pose a serious threat to public health. Each year these so-called superbugs cause more than 2.8 million infections in the U.S. and kill more than 35,000 people.
By Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Inflammation can be good or bad depending on the situation.