One of the biggest barriers to widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption is access to convenient charging. For drivers without a home charger, powering up can take a little more planning than it does for homeowners. But Aspen resident and new EV owner Tim Johns says public charging has been simple, cost-saving, and a perk to his day-to-day life.
“I always joke with my girlfriend that we should take my car because it’s free,” says Johns, who has made a habit of finding conveniently located chargers and building efficient routines—walking, playing with his dog, or running errands—while boosting the battery.
We talked with Johns to understand why he went electric and how he’s become an expert in convenient and free charging in the Aspen region.
A text exchange leads to a new ride
As part of Colorado’s Vehicle Exchange Program (VXC), Johns traded in his 2013 Volkswagen GTI for a Volkswagen ID.4 this past year, reducing the amount he would pay for a new car by thousands of dollars. VXC, a program unique to Colorado, gives income-qualified drivers of old or high-emitting vehicles rebates of up to $6,000 for used or $9,000 for new EV purchases.
Oftentimes, the VXC voucher is higher than the value of the car participants trade in, as was the case with Johns. When he calculated how much it would cost to replace his brakes and a whole laundry list of other issues with his car, he realized it was an optimal time to go electric and lower the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price in the process. By relying on advice from his EV-driving coworkers at the Community Office for Resource Efficiency and doing some research on which cars would work well in the mountains, he made the plunge.
The process was incredibly easy, says Johns. He applied on the VXC website, which included his title and registration, and got accepted four days later with a code he could bring to dealerships participating in the VXC program. Then, he completed his entire car purchase over text with Emich Volkswagen in Denver.
“I inquired online, and we texted back and forth for a couple of days. I explained exactly what I wanted, and what features I wanted out of my car, and explained that I was using the VXC program,” says Johns. “They made it so simple—I knew what my car payment was going to be before I stepped into the dealership.”
Goodbye, cheap gas hunts
When Johns drove his gas-powered car, locating cheap gas was tiresome and time-consuming. He would often drive to Woody Creek or combine filling up with an errand in Glenwood Springs. Whenever his tank would get low, he would maneuver his day to get to the right gas station. Despite his efforts, he was still spending a decent amount of his budget on gas.
“I was always playing those games in my head [to find affordable gas]. When I got an EV, it’s the same kind of game, but you’re saving money, and it’s easier. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Now, he’s an expert on free or fast chargers in the area by using his favorite app, PlugShare. He’ll plug in, buy groceries at Whole Foods, or play with his dog for 20 minutes at a fast charger or walk home while at Level 2 charger.
“It’s a good opportunity to take a walk and observe your neighborhood to get to know things a little bit better,” he says.
Johns says every EV owner learns the ropes of charging as they go. He’s found it works best to keep the battery between 20 and 80 percent, and he’s learned that it often stops charging at 80 percent unless he prompts it to go higher (as is the case for most EVs). He’s also aware of making sure he’s only charging for as long as his car needs it, abiding by the public charger rules.
“I know people who have horror stories where they get charged $100 for plugging in to go from 40% to 100%,” he says. Those situations usually happen when drivers stay parked long after their charging session is done, which can trigger idle fees and block access for others.
A smooth ride ahead
As far as other benefits of making the switch, Johns has noticed how smoothly the car handles and how much energy he recaptures while braking—a feature called regenerative braking—that makes his daily driving feel easier and more efficient. The instantaneous response from a foot on the gas is still taking him by surprise, months later.
“You’re immediately going the exact speed that you press on the pedal,” he says.
Not everyone has the option to install a home charger, but Johns’ experience shows there are plenty of ways to make an EV work in Colorado, with meaningful perks along the way. Public charging isn’t just doable—it can become part of the routine.
For those considering an EV, check out the following rebate, charging, and free coaching services:
- Colorado’s Vehicle Exchange Program
- PlugShare (interactive EV charging map)
- CLEER’s ReCharge Colorado EV coaching services
