Charging
Fueling
Refueling a Battery Electric vehicle (BEV) is as simple as plugging in a cord in the home garage. BEV batteries can be conveniently recharged at home or place of business, at a fleet facility, and at public charging stations at a lower cost per mile than filling a gas tank.
Charging Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
Today's BEV can take up to eight hours to fully recharge from a standard 110-volt and 20-amp outlet. However, several charging systems are available that can recharge a BEV in a few hours or less using faster charging equipment.
Different Charging Configurations
Though most charging will occur in private garages, public charging facilities are available for BEV owners who want the convenience of "opportunity charging" in parking lots at work, shopping mall, and even at curbside charge ports. Eventually, a network of retail fast - charging stations could become as common as today's gas stations. Such stations along interstate highways would enable BEVs to be used for long distance travel.
For a complete list of all publicly accessible electric vehicle-charging stations in California please see the CALSTART Clean Fuel Recharge/Refuel Directory.
Electric Vehicle Supply Installation Manual
- Table of Contents (PDF, 13 KB)
Chapters:
- Introduction (PDF, 27 KB)
- EV Charging Essentials (PDF, 130 KB)
- Code Requirements for Installing EVSE (PDF, 171 KB)
- EV Charging in Single Family Residences (PDF, 45 KB)
- EV Charging at Fleet Facilities (PDF, 55 KB)
- Public Access and Commercial Charging Installations (PDF, 21 KB)
Appendixes:
- Public Charging Locations Currently in Operation (PDF, 30 KB)
- Building Code Contacts in Major Cities (PDF, 8 KB)
- Glossary of EV Terms (PDF, 14 KB)
- References (PDF, 7 KB)
View the entire manual (PDF, 433 KB)
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Charging Rate and Economics
BEVs are approximately three times more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles. As a vehicle fuel, electricity offers the additional advantage of price stability. BEVs operate for as little as 4 cents per mile when charged overnight using.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers a special discounted rate for our Electric Vehicle (EV) customers, the Experimental Time-of-Use Low Emission Vehicle rate (Schedule E-9). The E-9 rate is mandatory for those customers that are currently on a residential electric rate and who plan on refueling an EV on their premises.
What is a Time of Use Rate (TOU)?
The company offers electricity to its E-9 customers at different prices based on the time of day when the electricity is actually used. The E-9 rate offers a significant incentive to you to charge your vehicle during the off-peak time period when the demand for electricity is lower.
For complete detailed information on the E-9 rate please refer to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's electric current rate schedules.
The following graph gives you an idea of how the E-9 rate works:
Establishing E-9 Service
To apply for service, applicants must complete an E-9 Qualifying Checklist and return it to the company. Download a copy of the E-9 Checklist (PDF, 11 KB).
Please contact PG&E at 1(800) 743-5000 to arrange for your E-9 rate and installation of a time-of-use meter. If you have any questions please call the Clean Air Vehicle hotline at 1(800) 684-4648.
