I’m considering buying a used e-Golf, but I live in an apartment and have no experience with EVs. Charging at home overnight wouldn’t be an option for me, so I’d rely on public chargers.
I don’t drive much—mostly local trips and the occasional hour-long drive for appointments. In over two years, I’ve only put about 12,000 miles on my current car. I live in a big city with chargers all around, but I’m not sure how convenient charging on the go would be.
How often do you charge your EV? How long does it take? Is it comparable to stopping for gas once a week, just taking longer? I’d appreciate any advice!
If you can’t charge at home or work, you’ll lose most of the cost savings compared to gas. The e-Golf has a small battery, so you’d need to charge more frequently. I love EVs, but this might not be the best option for your situation.
@jeff
I get free charging at work, and when I travel, I use PlugShare to find free or low-cost charging. Depending on how much you drive, you might only need to plug in once or twice a week.
You can own an EV in an apartment if there are convenient places to charge near where you regularly go (work, groceries, etc.). That said, the e-Golf’s small battery might make it inconvenient since you’d need to charge more often. Look for ways to integrate charging into your routine to avoid making extra trips.
For your low mileage, not being able to charge at home shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. Cities are rolling out more curbside Level 2 chargers, and those could make things much easier for apartment dwellers. If you find a standard outlet at work or nearby, Level 1 charging might even suffice for your needs.
The e-Golf has a small battery that you can charge overnight with a standard 110V outlet. Does your apartment complex have any outlets near your parking spot?
Howard said:
The e-Golf has a small battery that you can charge overnight with a standard 110V outlet. Does your apartment complex have any outlets near your parking spot?
Good point, but it’s not just about battery size—it’s about how much you drive daily. Even if you had a car with a large battery, 120V charging works fine if you only drive 40-50 miles a day.
I live in an apartment and have an EV. I rely on Level 2 charging at work and sometimes use free chargers at stores when I shop. For occasional fast charging, I go to chargers near restaurants or shops, so I’m not waiting around. Costs can vary, but even with higher rates for fast charging, it’s often comparable to gas or cheaper.
If you can’t charge where you park, even a standard outlet, I’d say no to owning an EV. With your limited driving, have you considered skipping car ownership entirely? Options like e-bikes, rideshares, and rentals might be more cost-effective.
If you go this route, make sure you can charge at both Tesla Superchargers and CCS stations, and I’d recommend getting an EV with a larger battery than the e-Golf.
Keep in mind that cold weather can cut your range significantly. Without home charging, you might find yourself constantly planning around when and where to charge.
My son considered an EV but decided against it for apartment life. He didn’t want the hassle of constantly worrying about charging, especially since apartment complexes aren’t yet widely equipped for EVs.
Check if there are any ‘right-to-charge’ laws in your area. If you can get a charger installed at your apartment, it’ll make owning an EV much more practical.