How Many Electric Car Charging Stations Are There in Kentucky?

If you’ve recently bought or already own an electric car in Kentucky, you’ve probably noticed the benefits of these vehicles. They reduce your environmental impact, require less maintenance, and lower fuel costs. Even better is that due to their increasing popularity, charging stations are becoming more accessible. Kentucky is home to several convenient locations that make it easy for you to keep driving.

Here at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, we’re here to help you make the most of your electric vehicle by exploring how many charging stations Kentucky has. We’ll also discuss some charging hotspots and elaborate on the benefits of going green versus having a traditional gasoline vehicle.

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How Many Electric Car Charging Stations Does Kentucky Have?

According to Plug Share, there are 682 electric vehicle charging locations in Kentucky. Tools such as this one from Kentucky Clean Fuels allow you to find nearby locations that are appropriate for your vehicle. For instance, there’s a filter that sorts charging stations by whether they offer Level 1, Level 2, or direct current (DC) charging. You can also look for charging stations with J11172, CCS, and CHAdeMO connectors.

Plug Share notes that one of the electric vehicle-friendly counties in Kentucky is Louisville-Jefferson County, as the area is home to 314 charging stations. Other locations with significant numbers of charging stations include Lexington-Fayette, Bowling Green, and Elizabethtown-Fort Knox.

More Kentucky Charging Stations To Come

Thanks to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, even more charging stations might pop up in Kentucky within the next couple of years. The U.S. Department of Transportation might grant the state $10,280,470 of the available $5 billion NEVI budget to deploy more charging infrastructure. This plan is supposed to not only cater to the increasing presence of electric vehicles, but also foster local job growth and economic development.

Level 1 vs. Level 2 vs. DC Charging Stations in Kentucky

While there’s no shortage of charging stations in Kentucky, it’s important to go to the right ones. Not all charging stations will be compatible with your vehicle and appropriate for your situation. For instance, consider the type of charging you need for your electric car. Most drivers prefer charging stations with Level 2 charging capabilities, as they add about 25 miles of range per hour (RPH). This RPH is significantly more efficient than the average RPH of Level 1 charging, which is about four miles.

Level 2 charging is ideal for fueling up at grocery stores or other establishments where you only have a short amount of time to charge your vehicle. While Level 1 charging is most common with at-home stations, it might be an appropriate option when your public options are limited. For instance, you might hook your car up to a Level 1 charging station while you’re at work. These stations will be available for longer periods due to their low demand, and your presence at work will give your car the time it needs to fully charge at a Level 1 station.

There’s also Level 3 charging, also known as DC charging, that can fully charge your vehicle in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. This efficiency can help you when you’re in a pinch, but it’s important not to use it too frequently as it can put a lot of strain on your vehicle’s battery. The good news is that Kentucky is home to various charging stations, so consider what kind of charging station you need and use an online tool to find the right one.

Different Connectors at Charging Stations in Kentucky

As you look for the right charging station, you might notice that online listings describe the types of connectors available. There are labels like CSS, J1772, and CHAdeMO, but how do you know which is compatible with your vehicle? You’ll be glad to hear that most electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the U.S. use the CCS1. The Society of Automotive Engineers developed this standardized connector that combines the J1772 connector with two high-speed charging pins. The CCS1 is compatible with Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging to make your driving experience more convenient.

As an experienced Chevrolet dealership, we’re familiar with the importance of CCS1 stations to our customers. Whether you have a Bolt, Volt, or some other electric vehicle, you’re sure to find a compatible station. There are hundreds of compatible connectors throughout Kentucky, but be sure to verify availability at a charging station before driving there. If you show up at a station that only has a CHAdeMO charger, it won’t be helpful for charging your vehicle that requires a CCS1 charger.

Benefits of Electric Vehicles

With such a wide availability of electric car charging stations in Kentucky, you might wonder what all the buzz is about. Owning an electric vehicle comes with several benefits such as:

• Lower fuel costs: Some public charging stations offer free fuel, but even if you pay for your electricity, the long-term costs tend to be lower than those for traditional gasoline.
• Less maintenance: While electric vehicles still require routine maintenance, they have fewer complex parts and fluids that require fewer changes.
• Increased efficiency: The operation of an electric vehicle produces no carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Even if you have a hybrid model, you’ll still significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
• Smoother driving experience: The low center of gravity on most electric vehicles offers better handling and responsiveness, and the electric engine results in smoother, quiet rides.

Hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations are prominent throughout Kentucky, and there are plans to create even more accessible infrastructure. Drivers can find stations that suit their vehicle’s requirements and the amount of time they have to charge their vehicle. Feel free to use this guide as a reference the next time you need to fuel up in a way that allows you to fully enjoy the benefits of your electric vehicle. If you’re in the market for an electric car or want to share your charging tips, feel free to contact Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris today.

Tags: Charging Stations, Electric Vehicles
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