I‘ve put together this guide to provide you with everything you need to know about owning an electric vehicle in West Virginia today. With rising gas prices across the U.S., you may be wondering if now is the right time to make the switch to an EV in the Mountain State. I‘ll give you an insider‘s look at charging infrastructure, estimate costs across popular EV models, outline incentives, and more. Let‘s dive in!
West Virginia is investing big to expand EV infrastructure
I won‘t sugarcoat it – West Virginia currently lags far behind most states when it comes to EV charging capability. As of 2022, there are only 115 public charging stations with 349 total ports statewide according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Tiny Maryland has over 10 times as many!
But major change is on the horizon thanks to the $7.5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. West Virginia will receive $47.5 million over the next 5 years to build out a network of EV chargers across the state.
Here are key details on what‘s planned:
Phase 1 (2023-2025)
The first phase focuses on constructing DC Fast Charging stations every 50 miles along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. This will mainly expand options along highways to connect WV to the wider nationwide system.
Phase 2 (2024-2026)
Phase 2 centers on enhancing charging infrastructure within communities, especially rural areas with minimal current options. The goal is to fill gaps through strategic placements in smaller towns and cities.
By 2026, these two phases promise to transform West Virginia into a much more EV-friendly state with convenient charging availability.
Charging your EV in West Virginia
To help you best decide on an EV for your needs, here‘s a breakdown of the types of charging currently offered:
Level 1
- Output: 2-5 miles of range per hour
- Locations: Some free public stations (limited)
Level 2
- Output: 10-20 miles per hour
- Cost: $0.20 per kWh (approx. $12 for full charge)
DC Fast Charging
- Output: 60-80 miles in 20 minutes
- Cost: $0.30+ per minute of charging
| Charger Type | Miles Added Per Hour | Cost Per Full Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-5 | Minimal |
| Level 2 | 10-20 | $12 |
| DC Fast | 180+ | $15 |
Here‘s a map showing locations of the 350+ public charging ports available as of 2022. More dots = more chargers!
Over 75% are clustered around Charleston, Huntington, Beckley, and Morgantown. So rural options remain limited for now.
How much does it cost to own an EV in West Virginia?
Here‘s a detailed cost breakdown for 4 of today‘s most popular electric models:
2023 Tesla Model 3
- Battery: 60 kWh
- Range: 272 miles
- Price: $48,490
- Charging: About $0.20 per kWh → $12 per full charge
- Projected monthly cost for 1,000 miles: $36
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Battery: 68 kWh
- Range: 224 miles
- Price: $44,995
- Charging: About $14 per full charge
- Projected monthly cost for 1,000 miles: $42
2023 Chevy Bolt
- Battery: 65 kWh
- Range: 259 miles
- Price: $25,600
- Charging: About $13 per full charge
- Projected monthly cost for 1,000 miles: $39
2023 Kia Niro EV
- Battery: 64 kWh
- Range: 253 miles
- Price: $39,990
- Charging: About $12 per full charge
- Projected monthly cost for 1,000 miles: $36
Are there incentives for EVs in West Virginia?
Unfortunately West Virginia currently offers very minimal incentives or tax rebates for individual EV buyers – unlike leading states like California and New York.
The good news is that due to major investments at the federal level, incentives and charging infrastructure improvements are likely on their way!
Bottom Line: The Future Looks Bright
In summary – owning an EV in West Virginia‘s cities and metro areas is quite feasible already thanks to an emerging public charging network and affordable home charging.
And thanks to $47 million flowing in from the NEVI program over the next 3 years, many more DC Fast Charging stations will be popping up along highways and communities across the state to enable convenient long-distance EV travel.
So while EVs make up a tiny portion of vehicles on Mountain State roads today, the outlook is extremely promising for wide adoption as more models offering 300+ mile ranges enter the market – and charging becomes simple and straightforward for all West Virginians!
I hope this guide has helped you gauge whether now‘s the right time to join the EV movement. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Jake Schwarz
EV Analyst
