Electric Vehicles

A woman charges a white electric vehicle (Nissan Leaf) at a public EV charging station inside a parking garage in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Navigating Your Electric Vehicle Journey

With an electric vehicle (EV), Fort Collins residents can save money on fuel and maintenance, improve air quality, reduce your carbon emissions and conveniently charge at home or work.

EV Basics and Benefits

Types of EVs: What's the Difference?

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

Runs entirely on electricity
No gas engine or tailpipe
Charges at home or public stations
Typical range: 80–370 miles
Best for: Daily driving and local trips

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

Runs on electricity first, then gas when needed
Smaller electric range: 20–60 miles
Great for people who want flexibility for longer trips
Best for: Mixed local and highway driving

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Runs on gas and electricity together
Charges through driving (no plug-in needed)
No electric-only range

Transitioning to an EV

Now’s the time to transition. More EV types and manufacturers are becoming available. EVs may be eligible for state tax credits. Check with the Colorado Energy Office.

Contribute to cleaner air by driving a vehicle that puts out zero tailpipe emissions.
Sick of going to the shop? EVs have fewer maintenance needs than traditional vehicles because they don’t have as many parts. Annual cost comparisons show that driving an EV offers significant ongoing savings.
You can skip the gas station. There are options to charge at home, in some workplaces or at a public charging location.
Compare the annual fuel cost of your existing car side-by-side with an EV.
Leave range anxiety in the rear view. Car manufacturers are increasing vehicle range per charge, and more and more charging stations are regularly being installed.

Charging at Home

The first step on your road to charge at home is deciding if it is better to use a Level 1 or a Level 2 charger.

Level 1 Charging

Works well for people with low daily milage
A typical GFCI-protected 120 V outlet is recommended for Level 1
It is referred to as ‘trickle charging’ because it is slow – it charges at 4–5 miles per hour
Typically, no installation is needed as GFCI outlets are present in garages and outdoor spaces.

Level 2 Charging

Works well for people who drive longer distances each day
Uses a 240V outlet (like a dryer)
Much faster: charges at 10–25 miles per hour
Requires installation by a licensed electrician
May need electrical panel upgrades

What you can expect from an electrician’s visit

Assess your electrical panel to ensure it can handle the additional charging load
Install a dedicated 240V circuit if one is not already available
Mount the EV charging unit on a wall or other suitable location
Connect the charger to your electrical system safely and according to code

What if your electric panel is not large enough for the new charger load?

Your electrician will reach out to electricprojectengineering@fortcollins.gov to discuss the costs associated with increasing the service size to your home. They will apply for a permit and schedule an inspection with the City Building Department before beginning their work.

Public Charging in Fort Collins

Fort Collins Utilities owns several EV charging stations around the community. Charging stations cost drivers a flat rate of $1/hr.

The locations are as follows:

Downtown Civic Center Parking Garage
Downtown Firehouse Alley Parking Garage
Mulberry Pool
Senior Center
South Transit Center
EPIC (Edora Pool Ice Center)
Platte River Power Authority

Other Public Charging Stations

There are many charging stations around Fort Collins. Click the button below to view their locations, availability and other details.

*Please note, charging stations are listed here for awareness only. The status of individual chargers may vary.

View Interactive Map

What Fort Collins is Doing to Support EVs

Fort Collins Utilities is preparing for a clean, electric future by:

Developing a city-wide Electric Vehicle Readiness Roadmap
Supporting smart charging and off-peak use
Making sure the grid can handle more EVs

EV for your Business

Fort Collins Utilities supports local businesses and multifamily property owners in adopting electric vehicles and installing EV charging infrastructure. Whether you’re upgrading your fleet or adding charging stations for employees and customers, we’re here to help you save money, reduce emissions, and lead the way in sustainability.

Why Commercial EV Charging?

Lower Operating Costs: Electric vehicles cost less to fuel and maintain compared to gasoline-powered vehicles.
Attract Customers & Employees: Offering convenient EV charging can boost your business appeal.
Reduce Carbon Footprint: Transitioning your fleet and properties to electric vehicles helps Fort Collins reach its clean energy goals.

First Steps

Do Initial Research

Here are a few questions to consider:

What kind of charger do you want for your property?
Who is going to use it (employees, customers or the public) and for how many hours a day?
What is your budget for chargers and monthly electric bills?

Hire a Contractor

To install a charger at your commercial property, you'll need to hire a contractor to discuss your charging station needs, evaluate the capacity of your electric service and review your approved site plan.

If your charging station plans do not require any site plan modifications, and your electric service capacity is large enough to add a charger(s), the contractor will apply for an electrical permit, install the charger(s), and schedule an inspection with the City's Building Department.
If your charging station plans require site plan modifications, your contractor will submit a minor amendment to the approved site plan. (See the 'Minor Amendments' tab for more information.) A fee is required to submit a minor amendment. If your electric service capacity needs to be upgraded, your contractor will submit a Customer Owned Service Information Form (C-1) and request an upgrade.
For multifamily units, a fixed fee is charged to upgrade each premise. An electric capacity fee is also charged for commercial service upgrades based on the increased voltage amount. These fees can be substantial, so please see the 'Electrical Service Upgrade Fees' tab for more information. After the upgrade, the contractor will apply for an electrical permit, install the charger(s), and schedule an inspection with the City Building Department.

Rebates and Resources

Rebates for Utilities' customers

Rebates are available to help offset installation costs for Level 2 charging stations at businesses and multifamily housing properties.

View Efficiency Works Rebates

State resources

Drive Clean Colorado lists several infrastructure funding opportunities here

Visit Drive Clean Colorado

EV Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to charge my EV?

It depends on the size of the vehicle's battery and whether you’re charging it during on peak or off-peak hours. For example, let’s say you are charging your electric vehicle during off-peak hours and it has a 24-kilowatt-hour size battery. If the electricity costs $0.08 per kilowatt-hour, then the cost for one full charge at home would be $1.92 (assuming the battery is fully depleted).

The best time to charge an EV is during off-peak hours as the rates are three times less than on-peak hours. You can find more information on Time-of-Day (TOD) rates at the Fort Collins Utilities Residential Electric Rates page.

What types of public charging are available?

Level 2 public chargers (240V AC) are the most common

Found at workplaces, shopping centers, parking garages, and some public stations
Adds ~20–30 miles of range per hour
Requires a dedicated 240V circuit and compatible EVSE (charging station)

Level 3 chargers, also called DC Fast Chargers (DCFC)

Typically found along highways, major travel routes, and some urban locations
Converts AC to DC directly in the station for very fast charging
Adds 60–200+ miles of range in 20–60 minutes, depending on vehicle and charger

What do EVs mean for Fort Collins Utilities?

As the community transitions to more and more EVs, Fort Collins Utilities is ready to ensure that we continue to provide highly reliable electric service. Our system is well-designed for EV electric loads and we are committed to improving the flexibility of our grid to help increase renewable generation and reduce carbon emissions.