Electric vehicles are becoming more commonplace. Drivers who have an electric vehicle need to have reliable places to charge them when they aren’t home. Finding an EV charging station in Massachusetts becomes a priority when the driver realizes that the EV is getting low on power.
EV charging stations are becoming more accessible around Eastern Massachusetts along with the whole state, but not every electric vehicle charging station is available to the public. Some are on private property while others are meant to be used by specific people, such as residents living in an apartment building or a customer at a store or restaurant where charging stations may be located.
Anyone who has an EV should keep these four electric vehicle charging station points in mind as they traverse the roadways throughout Massachusetts. They might help you with your trip if you’re planning on being away from your Massachusetts home for an extended period. If you have a charging station at home and think something is amiss, our experts at 128 Plumbing can determine the issue and get it resolved quickly.
1. EV Charging Stations are More Common in Larger Massachusetts Cities
Larger Massachusetts cities, such as Boston, have more electric vehicle charging stations than rural areas. The public charging stations are usually located at businesses, and some EV charging stations can even be found at municipal locations. As electric vehicles become more popular, it’s reasonable to expect that the number of charging stations in Massachusetts will continue to increase. Our professional technicians at 128 Plumbing are ready to ensure electrical supply systems can handle the task of keeping vehicles charged.
If you’re going to use a public charging station in Middlesex County or the surrounding areas, make sure that you verify the connection is good and clean. Sometimes the charging plug can suffer damage, which may cause issues with your vehicle. As the number of charging station users increases, you might find that defective connectors increase. This is especially likely in areas where people don’t return the plug to the charging station and opt to leave it on the ground instead. Charging stations with self-retracting cables can prevent this from happening.
2. Public Charging Stations in Massachusetts Might Have Time Limits
Some electric vehicle charging stations in Massachusetts might have time limits for how long you can leave your EV. The public EV stations throughout the state are typically meant for short-term use, for instance, you might plug into the charging station at a restaurant while you eat your meal, but you probably won’t be able to leave it there for a full day while you meander around the city.
You can look at the EV charging station to see if there is a time limit posted. Some businesses place information stickers on the EV station to provide important information, but these stickers can’t block the usage instructions and warnings for the stations. If the charging station is located at a business, it is safe to assume that it’s meant for customers. If you’re unsure, you can always go into the shop to ask or give them a call before you hook up your electric vehicle to the charging station.
If there isn’t a time limit and you’re going to leave your electric vehicle on the EV charging station for a while, it’s courteous to watch for other people who might also need to use it. People in Massachusetts are known for their hospitality, so taking up the charging station for too long goes against this premise.
3. Winter Conditions in Massachusetts Can Alter EV Charging Availability
Since an electric vehicle’s range decreases in cold temperatures, owners need to make sure it’s getting twice the charge than in warmer seasons to get to and from their destinations safely. Businesses aren’t required to plow spaces for vehicles in a parking lot. You may find that Massachusetts winters come with a greater challenge of locating charging stations for your electric vehicle. Even if the parking space for the EV charging station is plowed, there might be a snowbank around the base of the station.
You should also be wary of icy conditions during the winter months. If ice and snow accumulate on the charging station plug, you might not be able to charge your electric vehicle safely. Some Massachusetts charging stations have protectors to keep the snow and ice off the plug, so keep an eye out for these if possible.
4. Businesses Can Benefit from Installing EV Charging Stations
Massachusetts businesses receive several benefits when they have EV charging stations installed on their property, and our team at 128 Plumbing can help them achieve that goal. Some perks to an EV station include tax benefits and an increase in customers because of the availability of the EV ports. These factors alone can produce enough income to cover the initial cost of the charging station installation, maintain the upkeep it involves, and generate the cost of electricity to keep it powered.
Free advertising is another possibility because many directories focus on helping EV owners find places to charge their vehicles while they’re out and about. People who own an EV can contact Massachusetts business owners to find out if they can install a charging station. The business owner can check to see if they’re eligible for any rebates or tax breaks if they do place the equipment on their property.
The perks of owning an EV far outweigh the downside of having to find an EV charging station. As time progresses, this struggle should become less frequent as the number of EV charging stations increase. If you are ready to have an electrical charging station installed or need one serviced, our professionals at 128 Plumbing can help. Contact us online or by calling 781-670-3261 to schedule an appointment.
