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SMECO EV Recharge

E.V. (Electric Vehicle) Recharge Logo for SMECO, logo with electric car and electric car charging port in circular form, around car.SMECO plans to offer charging stations for electric vehicles throughout Southern Maryland. We have partnered with Shell Recharge to install up to 60 charging stations throughout our service area.We are working with state, municipal, and local governments to determine locations for the SMECO EV Recharge stations. The installations will include level 2 chargers, which can charge most electric vehicles in a few hours, and direct current fast chargers, which can charge most vehicles up to 80% in half an hour.EV owners can use the Shell Recharge mobile app to find the nearest station, start and end charging, easily make payments, and receive real-time notifications.Visit this page for updates, including announcements about upcoming locations for charging stations.

SMECO EV Recharge Stations:

Unless otherwise indicated, all Level 2 chargers are equipped with two J-1772 connectors.

Accokeek

  • Accokeek Library, In partnership with Prince George’s County – Sustainable Energy, Livingston Road, one unit, two Level 2 plugs

California

Charlotte Hall

  • Charlotte Hall Library, New Market Road, one Level 3 unit, one CHAdeMO connector and one CCS/SAE connector, cannot be used concurrently

Dunkirk

Hughesville

Indian Head

La Plata

Leonardtown

Lexington Park

Lusby

Mechanicsville

Owings

Port Tobacco

Prince Frederick

Solomons

St. Mary’s City

Waldorf

White Plains

Charles County’s First Station Video

Virtual Ribbon-Cutting

St. Mary’s County government held a virtual ribbon-cutting for the SMECO EV Recharge station at the Leonardtown library.

Frequently Asked Questions

EV – electric vehicle
kW – kilowatt (demand)
kWh – kilowatt-hour (usage over time)

What’s the difference between level 1, level 2, and level 3 charging?

Level 1 EV charging – plug your vehicle into a standard 120-V outlet, similar to plugging in a lamp or a toaster. EV drivers typically plug in at home in a garage or driveway. It takes a long time to charge a vehicle’s battery when utilizing 120-V Level 1 charging, usually 12 hours or more.

Level 2 EV charging – plug into a 240-V outlet, like your electric dryer or stove may use. Some EV owners may install a 240-V outlet in their garage for faster charging. Some businesses may have a Level 2 charging station open to the public. With the voltage and amperage of the Level 2 charger, the EV battery may take 4 to 8 hours to charge. Many publicly available Level 2 chargers are being installed throughout the United States, and there is a movement to install Level 2 chargers at home.

Level 3 charging (also called Direct Current Fast Charging) - Level 3 chargers use three-phase 277/480-V service, which requires a larger transformer and access to three-phase distribution lines. While installing a Level 3 charger is costly, it is the way of the future for faster public charging; a vehicle takes just 30 to 60 minutes to attain a healthy charge.

What does it cost to charge an EV at a SMECO Recharge station?

SMECO charges 18 cents per kWh for a Level 2 charger, which allows a vehicle to pull 7 kW (demand). Using 7 kW for one hour equals 7 kWh. (7 kWh x 18 cents = $1.26 per hour)

If your EV gets roughly 4 miles per kWh, after one hour of charging, 7 kWh will provide 28 miles of travel (7 kWh x 4 miles = 28 miles).

To go on a 100-mile trip, your EV would need to charge for about 3½ hours at a total cost of $4.54 (100/28 = 3.6 hours, 3.6 x $1.26 = $4.54  or  3.6 x 7 x .18 = $4.54).

SMECO charges 34 cents per kWh for a Level 3 DC fast charger, which allows a vehicle to pull 50 kW (demand). Using 50 kW for one hour equals 50 kWh. (50 kWh x 34 cents = $17 per hour)

If your EV gets roughly 4 miles per kWh, after one hour of charging, 50 kWh will provide 200 miles of travel (50 kWh x 4 miles = 200 miles).

To go on a 100-mile trip, your EV would need to charge for ½ hour at a total cost of $8.50 (100/200 = ½ hour, .5 x $17 = $8.50   or  .5 x 50 x .34 = $8.50).

A SMECO residential customer is charged about 11.7 cents per kWh (not including the taxes and fees that appear on a monthly bill), so charging your EV at home would cost less. Try the savings calculator on our Electric Vehicle Guide page.

EV Chargers Frequently Asked Questions