Pepco is monitoring a coastal storm that is expected to bring severe weather to our area this weekend. Strong winds and heavy rainfall may bring down trees and damage equipment, resulting in power outages for our customers. We are prepared for this event and have enhanced our staffing resources to best respond. Safety is our top priority. We urge customers to stay away from downed wires and other equipment. To report a downed wire, call 877-737-2662. Report and track outages through our mobile app or website at pepco.com/StormPrep.
Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle? Follow our simple checklist to get your home EV-ready.
Ask a few key questions to determine your charging needs. How far can your EV travel on a full-charge? (Check with your EV manufacturer) What distance do you normally drive each day (including miles traveled to and from work)? Is there an opportunity for charging at or near your workplace or at a local retailer? What time of day do you plan to charge your EV, and for how long?
(Did you know: depending on the Pepco rate you select, you may benefit from lower electric rates by charging your EV overnight.)
You will need access to a standard, grounded, three-prong 120-volt outlet with a ground fault circuit interrupter. This standard equipment is typically already in residential garages. Typical charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 8 to 10 hours at Level 1. It is important to know which, if any, other significant electric loads (e.g., refrigerator) are on the same circuit as the outlet the EV will be using. Level 1 charging has an electric load of 15 to 20 amps - about the same as a large microwave oven.
Level 2 charging will typically charge an EV in about half the time it takes to charge at Level 1. Typical Level 2 charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 4 to 5 hours. This requires installation of a 240-volt charging station (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment or EVSE) on a dedicated 40-amp circuit by a licensed electrician. Level 2 charging has a minimum electric load of 3,000 watts—about the same power drawn by electric clothes dryers or air conditioners. Installing a Level 2 EVSE can require an electrician to run a new circuit from the home’s breaker or fuse panel to where the vehicle will be plugged in, and may require other upgrades to the home’s electrical system.
This type of station may also require upgrades to the home or building’s electrical service. Always contact Pepco before installation of Level 2 charging equipment to verify that local distribution facilities are adequate to serve this additional electrical load.
* Vehicle charging times vary by type of EV, battery size and battery state of charge. Charging times shown above are typical for 40 miles of electric driving range.
Have a qualified electric contractor obtain all required permits, file an application with Pepco and complete any upgrades needed. All upgrades must meet appropriate NEC, UL, state and local code requirements and be inspected by a third party inspector. To find a licensed electrical contractor visit District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades.
Obtain all necessary permits prior to starting any electrical work to install the charging station. Typically, this can be done by your electrical contractor. Contact your local permitting authority (your city, county, municipality or township) for further information.
Have your electrical contractor install the charging station. Remember, you can always charge your EV at Level 1 using a standard, grounded, three-prong 120-volt outlet; your lifestyle and daily driving distance may not require a Level 2 charging station in your home.
Ensure that an inspection is performed, if required. Contact your local permitting authority (your city, county, municipality or township) for further information.
Work with your charging equipment provider to learn how to correctly use your charging equipment to charge your vehicle.
Are you considering adding EVs to your vehicle fleet, or providing EV charging to your employees, customers or the public? Follow our step-by-step checklist to get your business EV-ready.
Who will be charging an EV at your location? Will you be charging: your own fleet, your employees, customers, the public, or a combination of these? Electric vehicle supply equipment (e.g., charging stations) are available in a variety of configurations, with functionality to support multiple applications such as fleet and public vehicle charging. Knowing who will be charging at your location will help you determine your equipment and information needs.
How long do you expect vehicles to park at your location? Do you expect EVs to be parked and charging for just a short time (i.e., two hours or less) or for longer durations? How many charging stations should you install? Knowing how long you expect EVs to be parked at a given charging station will help you decide what level of charging and what number of stations are right for your location.
Level 1 Charging requires installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a standard, grounded, three-prong 120-volt outlet by a licensed electrician. Typical charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 8 to 10 hours at Level 1. Level 1 charging for business purposes is most applicable for locations where vehicles will be parked for several hours (e.g., transit centers, employee EV charging, overnight fleet vehicle charging).
Level 2 Charging requires installation of a 240-volt charging station (EVSE) on a dedicated 40-amp circuit by a licensed electrician. Level 2 charging will typically charge an EV in about half the time it takes at Level 1 charging, and is most applicable for commercial use in locations where EVs will be parked for a shorter duration to provide “opportunity charging” to patrons (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment venues). This type of station may require upgrades to a building’s electrical service. Always contact Pepco before installation of Level 2 charging equipment to verify that local distribution facilities are adequate to serve this additional electrical load.
Have a qualified electric contractor obtain all required permits, file an application with Pepco and complete any upgrades needed. All upgrades must meet appropriate NEC, UL, state and local code requirements and be inspected by a third party inspector. To find a licensed electrical contractor visit District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades for the District of Columbia or Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation for Maryland.
Ensure that an inspection is performed, if required. Contact your local permitting authority (your city, county, municipality or township) for further information.
Work with your charging equipment provider to learn how to correctly use your charging equipment to charge your vehicle.
