Are you considering joining the electric vehicle (EV) revolution in the Sunflower State? As a digital technology expert and EV enthusiast, I‘m here to tell you that now is an exciting time to make the switch. With rapidly expanding charging infrastructure, attractive financial incentives, and the numerous benefits of driving electric, Kansas is becoming an increasingly EV-friendly place to live and drive.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about owning an EV in Kansas, from charging costs and locations to state and federal incentives, environmental impacts, and more. Whether you‘re a first-time EV buyer or a seasoned electric driver, you‘ll find valuable insights and information to help you navigate the world of electric mobility in Kansas.
The State of EV Charging Infrastructure in Kansas
One of the most important considerations for any prospective EV owner is charging infrastructure—after all, you need to be able to power your vehicle conveniently and reliably. The good news is that Kansas has made significant strides in recent years to expand its network of public EV charging stations.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy‘s Alternative Fuels Data Center, as of March 2023, Kansas had 288 public EV charging stations with a total of 786 individual charging ports. This represents a more than 50% increase in both stations and ports compared to just two years prior, as shown in the table below:
| Year | Public EV Charging Stations | Charging Ports |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 191 | 507 |
| 2022 | 242 | 656 |
| 2023 | 288 | 786 |
While Kansas still lags behind EV hotspots like California and New York in terms of total charging stations, it compares favorably to many of its Midwestern neighbors. In fact, Kansas ranks 3rd among its bordering states for public charging ports per 100,000 residents, behind only Colorado and Missouri.
But Kansas isn‘t content to rest on its laurels. The state has ambitious plans to leverage federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to further expand its EV charging network, particularly along key highway corridors. Over the next five years, Kansas is set to receive nearly $40 million to build out a network of DC fast chargers along its interstates and major highways, with the goal of having at least one fast charging station every 50 miles.
This strategic expansion will make it easier than ever for Kansas EV owners to travel longer distances without range anxiety, while also supporting the state‘s efforts to reduce transportation emissions and combat climate change.
Charging Costs and Comparisons
Of course, one of the biggest selling points of EVs is their lower operating costs compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. But just how much can you expect to save by charging an EV in Kansas? Let‘s take a closer look at the numbers.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average residential electricity rate in Kansas as of January 2023 was $0.1207 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Using this rate, we can calculate the cost to fully charge some popular EV models from empty at home:
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Tesla Model 3 (Standard Range Plus) – 54 kWh battery
- Charging cost: 54 kWh * $0.1207/kWh = $6.52
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Chevrolet Bolt EV – 65 kWh battery
- Charging cost: 65 kWh * $0.1207/kWh = $7.85
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Ford Mustang Mach-E (Standard Range) – 68 kWh battery
- Charging cost: 68 kWh * $0.1207/kWh = $8.21
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Hyundai Kona Electric – 64 kWh battery
- Charging cost: 64 kWh * $0.1207/kWh = $7.72
For context, let‘s compare these charging costs to the cost of fueling a comparable gas-powered car. With Kansas gas prices averaging around $3.20 per gallon as of March 2023, a gas car that gets 30 miles per gallon would cost about $0.106 per mile to fuel. In contrast, here‘s what it would cost per mile to charge the EVs above:
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Tesla Model 3 (Standard Range Plus) – 263-mile range
- Cost per mile: $6.52 / 263 miles = $0.025/mile
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Chevrolet Bolt EV – 259-mile range
- Cost per mile: $7.85 / 259 miles = $0.030/mile
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Ford Mustang Mach-E (Standard Range) – 230-mile range
- Cost per mile: $8.21 / 230 miles = $0.036/mile
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Hyundai Kona Electric – 258-mile range
- Cost per mile: $7.72 / 258 miles = $0.030/mile
As you can see, charging an EV at home in Kansas costs roughly 3-4 times less per mile than fueling a comparable gas car. Over the course of a year, that can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in fuel cost savings.
It‘s worth noting that public charging, especially DC fast charging, tends to be more expensive than charging at home. However, even at a typical public Level 2 charging rate of $0.25/kWh, most EVs still cost significantly less to charge than gas cars cost to fuel on a per-mile basis.
Incentives for Kansas EV Buyers
In addition to the long-term fuel cost savings, Kansas EV buyers can also take advantage of some generous upfront incentives to lower the initial purchase price of their vehicles.
Federal Tax Credit
The most significant incentive for EV buyers nationwide is the federal Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit, commonly known as the EV tax credit. This credit provides up to $7,500 off the purchase price of a new all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, depending on the size of the vehicle‘s battery pack.
However, it‘s important to note that the federal credit is only available for EVs from manufacturers that haven‘t yet sold 200,000 qualifying vehicles. Tesla and GM have both already reached that threshold, so their vehicles are no longer eligible for the federal credit. Popular EV models that still qualify as of 2023 include:
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Hyundai Kona Electric and IONIQ 5
- Kia Niro EV and EV6
- Nissan LEAF
For a complete list of qualifying vehicles and their credit amounts, consult the IRS website or your tax professional.
Kansas State Tax Credit
In addition to the federal incentive, Kansas offers its own state tax credit for new EV purchases. The credit is worth up to $2,500 and can be claimed on your Kansas income tax return for the year in which you purchase the vehicle.
To qualify for the Kansas EV tax credit, the vehicle must:
- Be registered in Kansas
- Have a battery capacity of at least 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
- Be acquired after January 1, 2019
The credit amount is calculated based on the size of the vehicle‘s battery pack, at a rate of $417 per kWh of capacity, up to a maximum of $2,500. For example, a Tesla Model 3 with a 54 kWh battery would qualify for the full $2,500 credit, while a Nissan LEAF with a 40 kWh battery would qualify for a credit of $1,668.
Utility Programs and Incentives
On top of the state and federal tax credits, some Kansas utilities offer their own incentives and programs for EV owners. For example:
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Evergy, which serves much of eastern Kansas, offers a $250 rebate to customers who purchase or lease an EV. The utility also provides discounted electricity rates for EV charging during off-peak hours.
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Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) offers a rebate of up to $500 for customers who install a Level 2 EV charging station at their home or business.
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Midwest Energy, which serves central and western Kansas, offers a discounted electricity rate for EV charging during off-peak hours.
Check with your local utility provider to see what EV incentives and programs they offer. By taking advantage of these incentives and discounted charging rates, you can further reduce the upfront and ongoing costs of EV ownership in Kansas.
Environmental Benefits of Driving Electric in Kansas
Beyond the financial benefits to individual drivers, the widespread adoption of EVs in Kansas can also have significant environmental and public health benefits.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the transportation sector is responsible for about 30% of Kansas‘s total greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second-largest source of emissions after electricity generation. By replacing gas-powered vehicles with EVs powered by an increasingly clean and renewable electricity grid, Kansas can make substantial progress toward its goals of reducing emissions and combating climate change.
In 2020, Kansas generated about 40% of its electricity from wind energy—the second-highest percentage of any state in the nation. As the state continues to transition away from coal and toward renewable sources like wind and solar, the emissions reductions from driving an EV will only increase.
But the benefits of EVs go beyond just reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles also produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they don‘t release harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds that can contribute to air pollution and respiratory health problems.
A 2020 analysis by the American Lung Association found that transitioning to 100% electric passenger vehicles by 2040 could prevent over 6,300 premature deaths and generate $72 billion in public health benefits across the U.S. For Kansas specifically, the analysis estimated that a complete transition to EVs could prevent 59 premature deaths and generate $627 million in cumulative health benefits by 2050.
Of course, these environmental and health benefits will only be realized with widespread EV adoption and continued investment in clean energy infrastructure. That‘s why it‘s so important for states like Kansas to prioritize policies and incentives that make EVs more accessible and affordable for all.
The Future of EVs in Kansas: Smart Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Technology
As a digital technology expert, I‘m particularly excited about the potential for EVs to not only transform transportation but also revolutionize the way we think about energy storage and grid management.
One key technology that is already starting to take hold is smart charging—the ability for EVs to communicate with the electrical grid and automatically adjust their charging behavior based on factors like electricity prices, renewable energy availability, and grid stability.
Many newer EVs come equipped with built-in smart charging capabilities, which can allow owners to automatically charge their vehicles during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper and more likely to come from renewable sources. Some utilities, including Evergy in Kansas, are also starting to offer special rates and programs to incentivize off-peak EV charging.
Looking further ahead, the next frontier in EV-grid integration is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. V2G allows EVs to not only draw power from the grid when charging, but also feed electricity back into the grid when needed, essentially functioning as mobile energy storage devices.
With enough EVs on the road and the right infrastructure in place, V2G could help utilities better manage the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, provide backup power during outages, and even generate revenue for EV owners by allowing them to sell energy back to the grid.
While widespread V2G adoption is still years away, several pilot projects and demonstrations are already underway across the country, including a recent V2G trial by Evergy in Kansas City. As the technology matures and more utilities and EV manufacturers get on board, V2G could become a key tool for accelerating the transition to a cleaner, more resilient, and more flexible energy system.
For individual EV owners in Kansas, the rise of smart charging and V2G technology could offer new opportunities to save money, support the growth of renewable energy, and even earn passive income by participating in grid services programs. As these technologies continue to evolve, it will be important for Kansas policymakers, utilities, and EV advocates to work together to ensure that the benefits are shared equitably and that the necessary infrastructure and regulations are in place to support widespread adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do EV batteries typically last?
A: Most modern EV batteries are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle, which is typically assumed to be around 200,000 miles or more. Many EV manufacturers offer battery warranties of 8-10 years or 100,000-150,000 miles, whichever comes first. While battery capacity will gradually decline over time, the vast majority of EV batteries will still retain 70-80% of their original capacity after a decade of use.
Q: How well do EVs perform in cold weather?
A: Like all vehicles, EVs can experience reduced range and efficiency in cold weather due to factors like increased energy demand for heating and reduced battery performance. However, most modern EVs are designed to handle cold weather conditions and come equipped with features like battery heaters and pre-conditioning to minimize range loss. In general, EV owners can expect a 10-30% reduction in range in very cold conditions, but this can be mitigated by storing the vehicle in a garage, pre-heating the cabin while plugged in, and using seat heaters instead of the cabin heater when possible.
Q: What should I know about public charging etiquette?
A: When charging at a public station, it‘s important to be mindful of other EV drivers and to follow some basic charging etiquette. This includes:
- Parking only in designated EV charging spots and only when actively charging
- Limiting your charging session to the amount of time you actually need to reach your desired state of charge
- Moving your vehicle promptly once charging is complete to free up the spot for others
- Properly storing the charging cable and connector when finished
- Reporting any damage or malfunctions to the station owner or operator
By following these guidelines, we can all help ensure that public charging remains accessible and convenient for the growing community of EV drivers.
Conclusion
As we‘ve seen throughout this guide, Kansas is becoming an increasingly attractive and viable place to own an electric vehicle. With a rapidly growing charging network, generous state and federal incentives, and the potential for significant fuel cost savings and environmental benefits, there‘s never been a better time to make the switch to electric.
Of course, the decision to buy an EV is a personal one that depends on factors like your driving habits, budget, and access to charging. But for many Kansas residents, an EV can offer a cost-effective, convenient, and environmentally responsible way to get around.
As the EV market continues to evolve and mature, Kansas has an opportunity to be a leader in the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation future. By continuing to invest in charging infrastructure, supportive policies, and public education, Kansas can help accelerate the adoption of EVs and unlock the many benefits they offer for drivers, communities, and the environment.
So if you‘re considering making the switch to electric, know that you‘ll be joining a growing community of EV owners in Kansas and beyond who are driving us toward a brighter, cleaner, and more connected future. Happy charging!
