So you‘re interested in joining the EV revolution sweeping America‘s highways. Maybe concerns over gas prices and oil dependence have you thinking electric for the first time. Or you love the instant torque and futuristic tech of modern EVs but aren‘t sure about charging needs for New Hampshire‘s cold winters.
This practical guide will equip you with everything to evaluate whether driving an EV makes sense given your lifestyle and New Hampshire‘s expanding charging network. We‘ll survey today‘s incentives, analyze ownership costs using real-world data, and highlight some stellar models to consider from both luxury and budget angles.
Over 475 Charging Locations Statewide and Growing
Range anxiety doesn‘t stem solely from a vehicle‘s battery capacity. Available public charging infrastructure plays an equally key role in driver confidence. On that front, New Hampshire‘s 475+ charging stations today cover all 10 counties, with clear momentum signaling continued expansion ahead.
As of 2022, the state registered over 5,000 plug-in electric vehicles. That‘s up 130% over just the last 3 years according to figures from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
With nearly one public charging plug for every 10 EVs now on the state‘s roads, New Hampshire actually ranks above the national average by this metric.
The following map shows the distribution of stations across different regions. Population centers like Greater Manchester and the I-93 corridor down to Concord naturally see the highest concentration. But investments from utilities like Liberty Utilities and Eversource are helping bring stations to rural areas each year.
- Supporting this growth, the state approved a new Energize New Hampshire program in 2021 specifically targeting charging expansion. It calls for doubling public charging ports deployed over 3 years via private investments spurred by utility performance incentives.
So while the charging networks found in top-ranked California and other west coast states still lead the country, New Hampshire‘s commitment signals great accessibility ahead for drivers looking to go electric.
Charging Speeds and Connectors
Of course, the charging experience depends greatly on available power levels. Just like smartphone fast charging has advanced from 5W adapters to 50W+ warp speeds, EV plugs come in different flavors too. Although Tesla‘s proprietary Supercharger network remains exclusive to their brand for now, other connectors work across automakers. Let‘s break down speeds and connectors to understand New Hampshire‘s public charging landscape:
Level 1 offers a basic 120V AC outlet to recharge at home overnight. With just 2-5 miles of range added per hour plugged in, these work better as a maintenance solution rather than for longer trips.
Level 2 remains the most widespread public network. Offering 10-25 miles of range per charging hour through 240V connections, they work well for topping off your battery while running errands around town. Most stations charge a per hour fee or per kWh rate.
DC Fast Charge finally brings the 5-minute fill-up experience EV drivers crave through 480V direct current hookups. Stations from vendors like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint deliver 60-80 miles in about 30 minutes. Ideal for highway travel, these stations cost between $0.31 to $0.39 per minute of charging.
Tesla Supercharger stations offer unmatched charging capacity exclusively to Tesla vehicles. Using a special proprietary plug, they can add 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes!
Station power levels translate directly to charging times. This table summarizes how long it takes to charge 3 top-selling EVs from empty to full based on charger type and battery size:
| EV Model | Battery Size | L1 Charge Time | L2 Charge Time | DC Fast Charge Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro EV | 64 kWh | 48 hours | 6 hours | 75 minutes |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 50 kWh | 37 hours | 4 hours | 30 minutes |
| Chevy Bolt | 65 kWh | 49 hours | 6 hours | 60 minutes |
Clearly fast charging offers a huge advantage for pressing travel needs. But stations remain far less common than Level 2 plugs. Having home Level 1 or 2 charging helps avoid reliance on public infrastructure for most regular commutes and tasks.
Calculating Your Charging Costs
So what does it cost to keep your EV running on New Hampshire‘s electrons? Evaluating electrical costs merits just as much consideration as gas mileage used to for traditional car shopping.
Below we‘ll analyze charges for several installation scenarios using actual New Hampshire utility rates. We‘ll also showcase how incentives can slash both your upfront purchase price and ongoing charging bill. Let‘s crunch the numbers!
Charging at Home
Installing an AC Level 1 or 2 charger at home offers the lowest rates and largest savings over solely using public charging.
- For Level 1 charging, you simply use the provided 120V portable charge cable plugged into a normal household outlet. This adds 2 to 5 miles of range per hour charged. Useful for maintenance, it works best when you drive low daily mileages.
- Level 2 home stations require hiring an electrician to install a 240V outlet. But the faster 10 to 25 miles of charge added per hour reduces total charging time.
Charging speed translates directly to time savings and convenience. But the electricity costs between Level 1 and 2 remain the same on most home rate plans.
- The average New Hampshire residential electricity rate sits around 20.4 cents per kWh. At this price, a full charge of a common 65 kWh EV battery would cost $13.26.
- However, many utilities offer discounted EV time-of-use rates as low as 13 cents per kWh overnight. Charging from 12am to 5am on such a plan would save you $3.25 per full charge!
Based on your driving needs, compare your potential utility‘s full EV residential plan details to make the best charging arrangements. Installing a wi-fi connected "smart" charger also allows you to schedule charging to start during the nightly low-rate window automatically. Most models even allow tracking charging sessions and costs right from your smartphone!
To estimate your potential EV charging electricity costs using different rates and charger types, enter your utility rate and mileage assumptions into this calculator:
[Interactive widget showing formulas and estimates of home EV charging costs based on input assumptions]Public Fast Charging Costs
While regular public Level 2 stations run comparable costs to home rates per kWh, fast charging merits its own analysis. DC fast charge stations offer essential, rapid range for pressing travel needs. But the ultra high voltage power transfer incurs steeper pricing.
In New Hampshire, fast charging rates range from $0.31 to $0.39 per minute of charging, depending on the network. The following table compares costs across 3 top stations for a typical 30-minute highway fast charging stop:
| Charging Network | Cost Per Minute | 30-Min Charge Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electrify America | $0.35 | $10.50 |
| EVgo | $0.31 | $9.30 |
| ChargePoint | $0.39 | $11.70 |
Compare that to the $15.75 cost of gasoline to travel the ~200 miles of range added from 30 minutes fast charging a modern EV. Even at premium pricing, fast charging can save money versus a traditional 30 MPG gas car. But minimizing dependence on DC fast charging works best for regular budgets. Use them for occasional trips beyond your EV‘s base range, not daily commuting needs!
Just How Much Can You Save Driving Electric in New Hampshire?
Between upfront purchase incentives taking effect in 2023 and the King‘s ransom you‘ll save over gas costs long term, EVs bring some seriously fat savings opportunities. Let‘s break down available incentives at both the New Hampshire state and US federal level you can access today:
New Hampshire Electric Vehicle Incentives
The state offers both rebates and special electricity rates rewarded upon installing qualifying EV charging systems or buying/leasing eligible cars including:
- Up to $1,000 point-of-sale rebate on new battery electric vehicle purchases
- Up to $300 rebate for plug-in hybrid EV models
- Up to $900 rebate (75% of hardware costs) for installed Smart Level 2 home charging stations
These incentives combine to over $1,600 in potential one-time discounts and reimbursements. That‘s some serious savings off the hood!
Additionally, reduced kWh rates through special off-peak charging programs noted earlier account for 25-50% savings on "filling up" costs as well.
US Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit
In addition to state savings, you can claim a hefty lump-sum credit reducing your US tax burden after buying:
- Up to $7,500 credit for new EV purchases, with phase-out schedules after an automaker sells over 200,000 units
- For 2023, that includes Ford, Nissan, GM, and of course Tesla buyers
- The credit jumps to a potential $10,000 for USED EV purchases!
Together with New Hampshire rebates, you could conservatively save over $10,000 off purchase costs. And that‘s before accounting for the lack of a New Hampshire sales tax plus fuel and maintenance savings over a gas-powered vehicle‘s life.
Let‘s use the Nissan LEAF as a sample savings scenario:
- Nissan LEAF MSRP: $28,040 (before destination charges)
- NH Point-of-Sale Rebate: $1,000
- Federal Tax Credit: $7,500
- Effective Post-Incentive Cost: $19,540
You‘d effectively knock over $10,000 off the sticker price, thanks to state and federal discounts and reimbursements alone! Now that‘s a bargain.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Driving Electric in New Hampshire
Between incentives that reduce EV pricing on par with economy gas cars – yet offering a modern premium vehicle ownership experience – what‘s not to love? Driving electric clearly brings advantages. But depending on your lifestyle, a few limitations to consider still remain.
Top Pros
- Significant upfront purchase incentives and tax savings
- Cheap overnight charging rates keep "fuel" costs extremely low
- Smoother, zippier performance than gas counterparts
- Improved highway fast charging access expanding yearly
- Charge conveniently at home for daily commute range
Potential Cons
- Long range EV sticker prices still run higher on average
- Max range reduced by ~25% in cold winter temps
- Rural/mountainous regions lack robust charging currently
- Charging sessions take more time than 5-minute gas fill-ups
As with any new technology disruption, tradeoffs exist alongside new capabilities and savings. But with Jack Frost reliably chilling New Hampshire each winter, EV operation here perhaps raises cold weather performance as a top consideration many newcomers ponder.
Braving New Hampshire Winters in Electric Cars
A fair question from Granite Staters upon pondering an EV might go: "Yeah but what about blizzards and Old Man Winter‘s wrath?"
It turns out EV powertrains face few issues starting and running in cold themselves thanks largely to battery thermal management tech and a lack of engine fluids. However, freezing temperatures subtly impact aspects of driving EVs differently than gas counterparts:
- Driving range decreases by an estimated 20 to 30%, due to both battery performance optimizing for longevity as well as increased power demands from interior heating
- Recharge times increase slightly, usually about 15 minutes longer for a full charge
- Regenerative braking systems can feel different, with less aggressive kinetic energy recapturing when cold
- Winter tires remain essential for snow/ice traction and handling safety
With the proper precautions around charging planning and tires, electric vehicles surefootedly tackle winter duty. Considering over half of New Hampshire electricity comes from renewable sources like nuclear and hydroelectric, you can drive even greener supporting the local grid versus imported oil and gasoline.
Tire & Battery Tips for Winter Driving
Equipping the proper winter tires makes arguably the biggest safety impact regardless of vehicle powertrain. All wheel drive and traction control provide added confidence. But the right tires mean everything braking and steering on snow and ice.
EV tire selection focuses just like gas vehicles on deep siping and rubber compounds that stay grippy at freezing temperatures. Toyota actually cold weather tests the tires they developed specifically for the bZ4X EV to ensure reliably snow/ice performance!
In terms of EV batteries, modern thermal management systems regulate cell temperatures. This prevents extreme cold from sapping charge capacity and range too severely.
Preheating your EV while still plugged in before departure also maximizes precious battery energy dedicated to driving distances. New models even support scheduling charging session start times and cabin pre-conditioning automatically based on your calendar departures!
Top Electric Cars and SUVs to Consider Made for New Hampshire Winters
Now for the fun part – a roundup of tantalizing EV models hitting the market offering serious winter weather capability right here in NH!
1) Kia EV6
The slick fastback EV6 crossover impressed reviewers coast-to-coast with its sharp handling and upscale design typically reserved for premium marques. Available all-wheel drive and a 77 kWh "extended range" battery option quell range anxiety.
With 53 cubic feet of storage with rear seats down and standard safety tech like blind spot cameras, the EV6 holds practical appeal too. Did we mention thrilling performance? The GT-Line RWD trim screams to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds!
- Price After Incentives: $41,540
- Range Per Charge: 260 Miles
2) Ford F-150 Lightning
The electric reinvention of America‘s perennial best-selling pickup brings roaring power fit for New England job sites or back country snow runs. Equipped with standard 4WD/AWD, up to 320 miles of range, and abundant towing capacity, the Lightning electrifies the full-size truck experience.
Packed with an enormous "frunk" front storage area, infotainment galore with BlueCruise hands-free highway driving tech, the Lightning feels anything but old fashioned.
- Price After Incentives: $41,800
- Range Per Charge: 320 Miles
3) Volvo C40 Recharge
As a pioneer in cold climate testing from their Swedish heritage, Volvo aims straight for EV winter dominance with the C40. A sensible compact hatchback size helps preserve interior warmth yet offers versatile storage.
Upscale cabin materials and Google embedded infotainment connect you during stormy commutes. Standard safety tech like lane centering and automatic emergency braking increase confidence further to brave the flurries!
- Price After Incentives: $50,700
- Range Per Charge: 223 Miles
EV Shopping Checklist
If wandering New Hampshire back roads and soaring peaks suits your fancy but you don‘t want to feel stranded by the next winter storm, follow this checklist while EV shopping:
- Confirm winter range estimates and charging duration increases
- Seek cold weather testing data from automakers
- Evaluate traction/stability controls
- Ensure DC fast charging capability of 50 kW or greater
- Compare utility incentives and EV rate plans
- Research current public charging infrastructure in regions you‘ll travel
- Find the best snow tires in your vehicle‘s size!
Driving into an Electric Future
While America‘s transition to electric vehicles charges ahead, progress often moves unevenly across states. For New Hampshire, momentum around incentives aims to tip adoption into high gear.
Extreme winter weather duty may introduce unique considerations versus balmier regions of the country. But between expanding public charging networks, special electricity rates for EV owners, and purchase rebates, the state discourages hesitation.
Armed with the data and buying tips from this guide around forecasting costs, leveraging discounts, and even tidbits to handle winter‘s wrath, you can evaluate an electric transition tailored precisely to your Granite State adventures!
Any other questions come to mind around ramping up for an electric future as the first Northeast state pushing EV leadership? Ask them below!
