Charging Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Home Charging Convenience: Pro: Charging at home allows you to wake up with a full battery every day, especially since your 40-mile round-trip commute can be easily covered by overnight charging with a Level 2 charger. Pro: Lower overall fuel costs compared to gasoline, and with Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) offering potential rebates for installing home chargers, your setup cost can be reduced by $200 to $500. Pro: San Marco is close to several public charging stations, providing additional convenience when out and about, including charging stations at places like Publix in Roosevelt Square Shopping Center. Public Charging Infrastructure: Pro: Jacksonville and San Marco have several public charging stations, including at popular locations like the San Marco Square area, St. Johns Town Center, and various grocery stores. You can use these while shopping or dining out to supplement your home charging. Pro: Fast charging stations along I-95 make your 2-3 annual trips from Jacksonville to Charleston manageable. For example, Electrify America stations in Savannah and Walterboro offer convenient stops for recharging, ensuring you stay on schedule. Pro: Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than gas vehicles, resulting in lower maintenance costs (e.g., no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking). This can save you significant money over time. Cons:
Con: Installing a Level 2 home charging station in your backyard shed can cost between $1,000 and $2,500, depending on your specific setup. Even with potential JEA rebates, this upfront cost can be a barrier, especially if additional electrical work is required due to distance from the shed to your parking area. Con: Charging at home can take 6-8 hours on a Level 2 charger, which is longer than a gas station refuel. For longer trips, fast charging at public stations can still take 30-40 minutes, adding to travel time compared to gasoline vehicles. Con: While there are public chargers in San Marco, availability can be a challenge if others are using them, which could result in waiting times. Public Charging Accessibility: Con: Public charging stations, while available in Jacksonville and San Marco, may not always be conveniently located near all your destinations. For example, chargers at local shopping centers might be occupied during peak times, requiring flexibility in your schedule. Con: On longer trips, such as your drives to Charleston, planning for charging stops along the route can add complexity, and you may face delays if public fast chargers are in use or temporarily out of service. Summary:
Charging an EV in Jacksonville, especially in San Marco, offers convenience with accessible home charging and multiple public charging options. However, the initial cost of setting up a home charging station and potential wait times at public chargers can pose challenges. For daily commuting, home charging is highly effective, and Jacksonville's public charging network provides sufficient backup. Longer trips, like your drives to Charleston, will require careful planning but are manageable with available infrastructure along I-95.