KC, rev your (electric) engines. The City of KCMO was just awarded a $2+ million federal grant to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The money will be used to add charging stations in lower income neighborhoods + near communities with multi-family housing that also have a limited amount of private parking available.

Where are KC's current EV charging stations?

There are ~1,000 charging stations scattered about the KC metro operated by Evergy, and six locations with Tesla Superchargers. If you want to access Evergy's charging ports, you'll need to create a Charge Point account. Its Level 2 Chargers provide a charge equal to ~40 miles for $1.92 and take ~1.5 hours. DC Fast Chargers do it in 15 minutes and cost $2.40.

Pro tip: You can plan your road trips with peace of mind by utilizing ChargeHub. It's a free app that locates EV charging stations for you.

Charging at home

Want to easily charge your EV from the comfort of your house? You have a few options.

Level 1 chargers plug into a standard 120-volt (NEMA 5-15) electrical outlet. While it doesn’t require extra equipment for your home, it can take several days to fully charge the car.

Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt (NEMA 14-50) receptacle — like the one used for home appliances — and can charge your EV in about 4-6 hours. Evergy offers both KS + MO residents an up to $500 rebate for those who install a Level 2 outlet + sign up for a Time Of Use plan. Kansans also get a $250 rebate just for installation.

EV charging stations as far as the eye can see | Map courtesy of Evergy

All those savings have you craving your own private port? Hit the brakes. Before you race ahead, make sure you apply for an electrical permit (KCMO uses Compass KC; Wyandotte County has a five-step online app) and hire a licensed electrician to install it for you.

Are EVs easy on my wallet?

In addition to the climate impact, EV drivers save an average of $500-$1,500 per year in refueling costs and ~40% on maintenance costs over the car's lifespan. The IRS also gives up to $7,500 in credits for individuals + businesses that purchase new EVs.

Thinking about getting around gas prices but don’t know where to start? Let us give you a jump on your research. Check out Evergy's tool for comparing EVs to see if you can find the right fit.