September 22, 2023

Electric Vehicle Charging in Georgia

8 Min. Read

The Georgia Department of Transportation is investing billions of dollars towards creating Alternative Fuel Corridors that increase the number of EV charging stations in Georgia and turn the Peach State into an electrification leader.

While there are promising plans to develop a strong future for EV charging in Georgia, access to charging has yet to be uniform, and traveling or living with an EV in Georgia requires careful planning.

EV Travel Across the Country

EV ownership can help you save thousands of dollars at the pump while reducing carbon emissions and contributing to a more resilient future. As EV sales soar, federal, state, and utility incentives support the development of a nationwide public charging network while also assisting businesses and homeowners save money with commercial and residential EV charging.

During the first four months of 2023, the total number of public charging ports increased by 4% throughout the U.S. There are now over 50,000 public stations with 130,000 individual ports.

However, distribution remains unequal at the state level. California leads the way, while Georgia ranks eighth with the most EV charging stations. Regarding EV sales, Georgia ranks 11th, suggesting an above-average number of charging ports per EV.

Due to the unequal distribution of EV charging stations, EV owners traveling across the state should carefully prepare for interstate EV travel, and homeowners should explore installing at-home Level 2 charging to support their daily needs. Additionally, identifying public stations, hotels, rentals, RV parks, and tourist attractions that offer EV charging ahead of time will result in a stress-free driving experience.

Electric Vehicle Charging in Georgia

Georgia is leading the way in the Southeast region regarding EV adoption and making EV charging accessible.

The state boasts over 1,600 public charging stations with just under 4,000 individual ports, including more than 430 DC Fast charging outlets.

This network is growing quickly to meet the needs of the increasing number of EV owners who live and work in Georgia. During January 2023 alone, EVs accounted for an impressive 9% of all new vehicles registered in Atlanta, GA, and this trend signifies a more significant transition to electric vehicle adoption across the state.

Alternative Fuels Corridors

In 2022, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law awarded $135 million to develop Alternative Fuels Corridors in Georgia.

This federal grant continues ongoing efforts from the Georgia Department of Transportation to transform the state thanks to Georgia’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning project.

Under Georgia’s NEVI infrastructure, the state will spend $5 billion between 2022 and 2027 to turn I-75, I-85, I-20, I-185, I-985, and I-575 in the greater Atlanta area into Alternative Fuels Corridors. This plan also includes I-95, which runs along the state’s coast, and I-16 between Macon and Savannah.

The latest federal grant will support efforts to turn US-441 between Cornelia and Dublin and US-82 between Brunswick and Albany into additional Alternative Fuels Corridors. These two projects will help grow the EV charging infrastructure between Atlanta and coastal areas.

EV Charging Station Tax Credit

Georgia businesses can qualify for a state tax credit of 10% or up to $2,500 by installing an EV charging station.

This incentive contributes to developing an environmentally-conscious business community, increasingly making EV charging available to customers and guests. Examples include hotels, parking garages, stores, and more.

Homeowners can take advantage of a federal tax credit of up to $1,000 or 30% of the installation cost, along with additional incentives offered by Georgia Power.

Finding EV Charging Stations in Georgia

If you’re planning on visiting Georgia with an EV or are considering EV ownership in Georgia, take a few minutes to look for nearby charging stations:

• You can use the state’s Drive Electric website to locate Level 2 and DC Fast charging stations.
• The Alternative Fuels Data Center’s website is another excellent resource for finding charging stations and Alternative Fuels Corridors.
• If you’re on the go, Google Maps and EV Navigation are convenient options for mapping an itinerary and finding charging stations.

Charging at Home

While the state of Georgia is actively developing its charging infrastructure, relying on residential charging remains a more realistic option for most EV owners living in the state.

Level 2 charging, the safest way to charge your EV, requires four to ten hours for a full charge. Level 3 or DC Fast charging can fully charge an EV in less than two hours. Still, this technology can take its toll on EV battery health, and few public charging stations offer Level 3 ports.

More than 60% of EV owners never or rarely use public charging and rely on at-home charging to fuel their driving needs.

At-home charging options include Level 1 charging, which doesn’t require changes to your home’s electrical system but delivers slow speeds, and Level 2 charging, which requires a professional electrician to install the charging station and may require additional electrical work, such as a panel upgrade, to support the EVSE safely.

For most EV owners, Level 2 charging is the preferred and best option with affordable chargers that run on dedicated 240V circuits and the convenience of overnight charging, cost savings, and the ability to further reduce their utility by pairing the charger with other electrification technologies, such as solar panels and battery storage.

Upgrading your home with a Level 2 charger allows you to reliably charge your vehicle on your schedule, reducing reliance on public charging infrastructure – saving you money and avoiding the hassle of waiting to charge your EV.

Adjusting Your EV Travel in Georgia for Climate and Battery Capacity

Georgia’s hot and humid climate is essential for prospective EV owners and those planning a road trip through Georgia.

It’s not unusual to see temperatures exceed 90°F in the summer, resulting in a reduced range for EV batteries and increased charging times.

You can protect your EV from warm temperatures by parking it in the shade and prioritizing charging at night once the temperatures drop, making at-home charging a viable option.

Your experience as an EV owner can also vary from one county to another. There are significantly more EV charging options for those visiting or living in Atlanta and the greater ATL region. Stop-and-go traffic can extend your driving range thanks to your vehicle’s regenerative braking feature.

Venturing outside Atlanta can be challenging since fewer public charging stations are outside the northeast region. The exception is the coast, where you’ll find more substantial public charging infrastructure in areas like Savannah or Brunswick.

Georgia Travel Tips

Get to know your EV before driving to Georgia, and determine how long it takes to get a full charge for your make and model.

Once you know how long charging typically takes for your EV, you can plan your activities around EV charging. Your best option is to find accommodations that offer EV charging as a perk, allowing you to leave your EV plugged in overnight and charge your battery, taking advantage of cooler summer nights.

There are over 100 hotels that offer EV charging in Georgia, and Airbnb lists more than 1,000 cabins, guest homes, campgrounds, and other properties with this perk.

You can also take advantage of the tourist attractions with EV charging. These chargers are a great way to top off your battery while you do something fun. Options include the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Shops at Buckhead, or Tallulah Gorge, to cite a few examples. The Georgia DOT is currently working on bringing EV charging to more state parks for those planning a green vacation!

Charging At Home

Due to the relatively limited and unequal distribution of public charging amenities in Georgia, at-home charging remains a more viable option for drivers in the state. As state tax credits foster EV charging among businesses, charging at work might also become a more common practice.

Georgia Power currently offers rebates for homeowners to help offset the cost of installing a Level 2 charger. Customers can also benefit from time-of-use rates that adjust prices based on current demand. With this incentive, it’s possible to save by charging an EV outside peak hours.

Plus, Georgia is a prime location for homeowners looking to invest in solar arrays to charge their EVs with clean energy, reducing their reliance on the grid and charging expenses.

Planning for EV Travel in Georgia

Georgia EV charging is still in its early phase, but there are promising initiatives to extend the state’s public charging network.

Exploring Georgia with an EV is realistic for EV owners if you keep a few tips in mind.

Sticking to Atlanta and the coastal region is a great way to ensure you always have access to charging. Availability can be scarce in other areas, and the Alternative Fuels Corridors connected to Atlanta allow you to branch out and see the greater ATL region.

You should consider booking accommodation with EV charging. With at-home charging being the preferred option for most EV owners, many homeowners now offer rooms and guest houses with this perk. There are also hotels and parking garages offering EV charging as an amenity, especially in the Atlanta area.

#1 Trusted EV Charging Installer in Georgia – Qmerit

EV adoption is up in Georgia, and the state’s Department of Transportation has exciting plans to keep adding charging stations and create new Alternative Fuels Corridors.

However, most of the charging stations in Georgia are currently in the greater Atlanta region or along the coast, making visiting some areas challenging.

For those living in Georgia, at-home charging remains the most convenient option. Plus, these homeowners can benefit from rebates and lower TOU rates through Georgia Power.

As the largest network of certified EV charger installers in North America, Qmerit is the most trusted EV charger installation partner recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.

But don’t just take our word for it. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, Qmerit’s experienced network of certified electricians has installed more than 450,000 EV charging stations in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada!

Give us a call at (888) 272-0090 or complete our online EV assessment to find out why we’re North America’s most trusted EV charger installation service provider today!