Electric Vehicles

We’re investing in EV technology. Learn how an electric vehicle might benefit you!

The Electric Vehicle Advantage

Our EV1 has hit the road and is on a mission to educate the public on the benefits and advantages of electric vehicles (EVs)! The demand for electric vehicles continues to grow throughout the country and in our local area, as interest in clean technology grows and we want to ensure you have some good information about EVs to help you decide if investing in an EV is right for you.

MPW is investing in EV technology not only because interest in it continues to grow but also because it’s a cleaner technology that reduces emissions, will save the Utility money on fuel purchases, and nationally, helps our country have a greater diversity of fuel choices, reduces emissions, which contribute to climate change and reduces ecological damage. If any of these things are important to you, we encourage you to read on!

Did you know electric vehicles (EVs) can save you significant money on fuel costs?

EVs generally cost far less to “fuel” because they use electricity instead of gasoline — and electricity prices tend to be more stable and consistently lower per mile than the cost of gasoline

Transportation is one of the largest household expenses in the U.S., and fuel costs for gasoline vehicles fluctuate widely due to market volatility. By comparison, most EV owners charge primarily at home, where electricity rates are more predictable. This often results in substantial annual savings, since EVs convert energy more efficiently and typically cost less per mile to operate than gas-powered vehicles.

Bottom line: On average, EVs cost significantly less per mile to drive than gasoline vehicles — often around half as much when charged at home — making them a powerful way to reduce long-term transportation costs.

To compare Alternative Fuels, go to Alternative Fuels Data Center: Vehicle Cost Calculator

Charge and Go – Easy Ways to Charge an EV

Charging an EV is convenient! Rather than standing at a pump filling up with gas or diesel, charging an EV often takes place while sleeping, not to mention that you’ll no longer have to breath in toxic fumes from pumping gas/diesel. Understanding the different levels of charging an EV can help you evaluate whether an EV will be suitable for your driving needs. There are three main EV charger categories that are based on the maximum power the charger outputs to the battery:

Level 1 (the household outlet way to charge) – Provides charging through a common residential 120-volt (120V) AC outlet. Level 1 chargers can take 40-50+ hours to charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty and 5-6 hours for a PHEV.
Level 2 (more common use for frequent drivers) – Offers higher-rate AC charging through 240V (in residential applications) or 208V (in commercial applications) electrical service, and is common for home, workplace, and public charging. Level 2 chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours
DC Fast Charge (used most often in public charging stations) – Direct current fast charging (DCFC) equipment offers rapid charging along heavy-traffic corridors at installed stations. DCFC equipment can charge a BEV to 80 percent in just 20 minutes to 1 hour. Most PHEVs currently on the market do not work with fast chargers.
Level 2 and DCFC equipment has been deployed at various public locations including, for example, at grocery stores, theaters, or coffee shops. When selecting a charger type, consider its voltages, resulting charging and vehicle dwell times, and estimated up-front and ongoing costs.

For more information go to: Charger Types and Speeds | US Department of Transportation

Wondering Where to Charge Your EV?

Recommended Apps

PlugShare — Best for Global Coverage & Community Reviews
PlugShare is consistently ranked as the most comprehensive EV charging map worldwide. It helps drivers find chargers from all networks with crowd-sourced photos, reviews, and reliability reports.

ChargePoint — Best for Level 2 & Everyday Charging
ChargePoint operates one of the largest charging networks in North America, especially strong for workplace, retail, and Level 2 charging.

EVgo — Best for DC Fast Charging in Metro & Highway Areas
EVgo focuses heavily on fast-charging corridors and major metro areas, offering 50–350 kW charging.

EV Connect — Best for Real-Time Availability & Reliability
EV Connect stands out for reliability, real-time charger status, and seamless payments — often praised for ease of use.

Tesla App — Best for Tesla Owners
While limited to Tesla chargers, it remains the most seamless charging experience for Tesla vehicles and now supports the expanded NACS network.

Electrify America — Best for Nationwide High-Speed Fast Charging
One of the largest DC fast-charging networks nationwide with many 150–350 kW locations.

Muscatine EV Charging Stations

MPW’s EV charging station, a Level 2 charger, is located in our front parking lot and available for the public to use. Though the majority of your EV charging will occur at home, you can find several other local and national public charging stations using mobile apps, making it more convenient to charge your EV on the go. Search your app store for “EV Charging App” or look for specific apps like PlugShare or EV Connect.

Current Muscatine EV Charging Locations by Address:

*First hour is free, courtesy of MPW at MPW, Musser Library, The Merrill Hotel, and the Muscatine Mall

MPW, 3205 Cedar St, Muscatine, IA 52761
Musser Public Library, 408 E 2nd St, Muscatine, IA 52761
The Merrill Hotel, 119 W Mississippi Dr, Muscatine, IA 52761 (west-side parking lot)
Muscatine Mall, 1903 Park Avenue (east-side of Walgreens in the Mall lot)
Musco Sports Center, 500 S Houser St, Muscatine, IA 52761

This article, Understanding Electric Vehicle Charging, provides some great detailed information that may further aid in your decision-making process on what type of charger might best suit your needs.