Two duel DC Fast Charging Stations are located at the south end of the Northglenn Recreation Center, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, and the other station is at the Maintenance and Operations Facility, 12301 Claude Court. Both stations are equipped with 1- CCS1 connector and 1- CHAdeMO connector.
Membership with ChargePoint is required in order to use these stations. Please visit https://www.chargepoint.com/ for more information. Thanks to a grant, the cost is free for the time being.
City of Northglenn Electric Vehicle Action Plan
The City of Northglenn adopted an Electric Vehicle (EV) Action Plan in April 2022. This EV Action Plan is a roadmap to support increased use of EVs throughout the City with a focus on the municipal fleet, public adoption, public charging, and policy.
Northglenn Electric Vehicle Action Plan
Vision
Northglenn will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality through electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure that is inclusive, sustainable, cost-effective, and innovative.
Goal
Northglenn aspires to increase environmental and economic sustainability for the community by transitioning to an electric transportation future, reaching 4,200 electric vehicles by 2030, aligned with the State of Colorado EV Plan.
What is an EV?
EVs refer to any vehicle that uses an electric motor. An EV can have a fully electric motor or can contain an internal combustion engine (ICE) that supports the electric motor.
Learn more about EVs at this link.
EV Benefits
- Have Fun – With more EV and hybrid models available, you have a wider selection to choose from. EV drivers get high performance, quick acceleration, and a quiet, comfortable driving experience.
- Convenient and Easy to Charge – Charging an EV is accessible and convenient. Eliminate trips to the gas station by charging your car at home while you sleep. Need to top off your charge during the day? There are approximately 57 chargers in the region.
- Breathe Cleaner Air – EVs produce fewer air pollutants from tailpipe emissions than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, contributing to a healthier community and cleaner air. Fueling with EVs can reduce emissions by two-thirds, versus a gas-powered vehicle; and powering your EV will only get cleaner over time as the electrical grid transitions to more renewable energy.
- Save Money - EVs don’t require as much standard maintenance as ICE vehicles, saving you money on things like oil changes and tune-ups. And if you charge your EV when electricity demand is low, it can cost you less to re-fuel! EV owners can save up to 50% on maintenance and operations costs. With low, off-peak energy prices, driving electric equates to spending less than $1 per gallon of gasoline. You can also receive federal and local tax incentives to help make EVs even more affordable.
EV Incentives
Federal
- Electric Vehicle (EV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Tax Credit (energy.gov)
- Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal Laws and Incentives (energy.gov)
State
Utility
Have more questions? Check out EV basics, benefits, considerations, and incentives at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicles (energy.gov)
How to get an EV
Use the following steps and tools to choose and purchase your EV!
- Start your search early
- Remember that due to supply chain issues, it’s taking some people a long time to get EVs after they order them. Start your search early to make sure you get your EV when you need it!
- Research your options
- Use the EV Catalog on Xcel Energy’s website to explore and compare your options.
- Make sure to understand which state, federal, and Xcel Energy EV purchasing incentives you qualify for!
- Visit local dealerships
- Once you find which EV models you’re interested in, visit your local dealership to talk to an EV expert. They can help you determine the best option based on your needs and budget.
- Want to know more about local dealerships before visiting one? Explore Xcel Energy’s qualified dealerships and the EV inventory in your area.
- Order your EV
- Once you’ve chosen the best EV option for you, order it! Keep in mind that it may take a while to get your EV once you order it.
- Make a plan for charging
- Now that you know which EV you are getting, and hopefully have a timeframe for receiving it, you need to make a plan for charging. Read the “Charging at Home” section below to learn more about your home charging options.
- Explore EV charging incentives and rate options using the Xcel Energy Home Charging Advisor.
Tell me more about EV Charging
Once you have your EV, you need to be able to charge it! The following section outlines the different types of chargers, as well as home and public charging options.
The average EV range is 195 miles, while the average American only drives 30 miles per day. This gives you plenty of extra fuel, whether you charge at home or at a public charger.
Public Charging
One option for charging your EV is public charging – these are EV charging stations that companies and cities have added to their property for anyone to use to charge their EV.
- There are currently over 1,500 public chargers throughout Colorado, so when you need charging on longer trips, chargers are available!
- Websites like PlugShare, the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, and Google Maps can show you locations for public chargers. These can be helpful when planning longer trips, to give you the assurance that there are chargers along the way when you need them!
- Each public charger is linked to a larger network. Once you arrive at the charger, follow the instructions on the charger.
Charging at Home
- Lots of EV owners choose to charge at home because it’s convenient! Most EVs can charge in your garage or wherever you normally park.
- Most EV owners re-charge with a Level 1 or a Level 2 charger at home.
- Level 1 uses a standard outlet, so you can start charging right away if there is an outlet near your parking area.
- Level 2 chargers may require an electrician and usually require a building permit to install. Some newer homes are being built to support EV charging, either by including the pre-wiring to support a 240-volt outlet, or even by installing a 240-volt outlet in the garage or home exterior.
- If you do choose to upgrade your home’s wiring to incorporate a Level 2 charger, it’s important to choose an electrician who is licensed, insured, and knowledgeable about the charging equipment.
- Visit the Home Charging Advisor to learn more about home charging.
Charging Incentives
- Xcel Energy Incentives
- Home Wiring Rebate
- Save up to $500 (or up to $1,300 if income-qualified) when you update your wiring to accommodate at Level 2 charger at home. Click here for more information.
- Optimize Your Charge
- Charge your EV during off-peak hours and save money on charging! Learn more here.
- EV Accelerate at Home
- Receive a Level 2 EV charger from Xcel Energy for a small fee on your monthly bill. Click here to learn more.
- Home Wiring Rebate
FAQs/Mythbusters
- Are the lifecycle emissions of EVs worse than those of internal combustion engine vehicles?
- When accounting for lifecycle emissions, there are a few factors to consider, including tailpipe emissions, battery development, and electricity emissions. Accounting for these factors, emissions from EVs were 57-68% lower compared to internal combustion engine vehicles in the United States in 2021. Since the electric grid is getting cleaner due to renewables being added to the grid, by 2030, EV emissions are expected to be 61-76% lower than internal combustion engine vehicles.
- Sources:
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?year=2022&vehicleId=44922&zipCode=80525&action=bt3
- https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/electric-vehicle-myths
- https://theicct.org/publication/a-global-comparison-of-the-life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-emissions-of-combustion-engine-and-electric-passenger-cars/
- https://greet.es.anl.gov/
- How are EV batteries recycled or disposed of?
- Most EVs have lithium ion batteries. Since lithium is a rare Earth metal, recycling batteries is a great way to decrease mining impacts from EVs. The battery recycling market is still fairly new, and in 2019 the US Department of Energy started their own battery recycling program. This investment in the market, combined with the National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries 2021-2030, will expand battery recycling options across the US.
- Currently, there is a high cost for recycling batteries. By addressing this cost, and redesigning batteries to be more easily recycled, the US can continue to expand the battery recycling market.
- Sources:
- Is Xcel Energy talking about having capacity to charge all these EVs?
- Currently, EVs have a negligible impact on the electric grid. As EV adoption grows, Xcel Energy is working to prepare for EV impacts to the grid and is tracking EV adoption in its service territory. EV plans like Northglenn’s help Xcel Energy understand the future demand and prepare appropriately.
- Sources:
- How much electricity does it take to charge an EV? Will my electricity bill go up?
- A Level 2 charger uses 7200W or less, which is equivalent to an electric furnace or water heater, while a Level 1 charger is on par with a space heater. Both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are less expensive than the cost of gas, and Xcel Energy has committed to keeping EV charging equivalent to $1 or less per gallon.
- Source:
- I’ve heard the range on electric vehicles is too low for my uses. Is that true?
- The average range of EVs is 195 miles (and increasing!), and the average American drives 39 miles per day. For most Americans, EVs easily meet the mileage for daily trips. For longer trips, charging stations are plentiful along major highways and more chargers are being installed every day.
- Sources:
- How do EVs and ICE vehicles compare on costs?
- In upfront costs, EVs are more expensive. However, the ongoing savings on gas and maintenance more than make up for this difference, so EVs have lower lifetime costs than ICE vehicles.
- Sources:
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