Many people ask the single biggest question about electric cars: What will I spend to charge the vehicle?
If you’re looking at an electric car vs. a gas car, doing some upfront research on charging compared with gas costs will help you make an informed decision. Remember that many new EVs come with some free charging at public stations.
To answer the question of cost, we enlisted the help of John Voelcker, a longtime automotive journalist and industry analyst specializing in electric vehicles. He’s heard every argument made for (and against) electric vehicle ownership, including recharging costs compared to traditional refueling.
Don’t sweat it. The math involved is pretty simple. It helps to have a recent electric bill for the most accurate estimate. You’ll want to calculate the amount you pay for electricity in a given month. Then we’ll provide examples so you can determine how much you spend on each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity used.
“For home charging, find your electric bill, then divide the [number] of kilowatt-hours you used into the bottom-line dollar total. That’ll give you the price you paid per kWh,” Voelcker explains.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. household pays about 16 cents per kWh.
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Let’s apply this rate to a typical electric car. This example does not take into consideration any discounts provided by your utility.
“A conservative rule of thumb is that an electric car gets 3 to 4 miles per kWh,” Voelcker says. “So divide the total miles you drive each month by 3 to get the kWh you would use monthly. Multiply that number by your cost per kWh. The dollar amount you get will most likely be lower than what you pay each month to buy gasoline.”
To put this into perspective, let’s give an example. Suppose you drive about 1,124 miles per month (Americans go an average of about 13,489 miles annually). For an EV, you will use about 375 kWh in that time frame. Using the U.S. household average of about 16 cents per kWh, charging an electric car at home would cost nearly $60 per month.
According to AAA, the average price of gas hovers at $3.22 per gallon as of this writing. So, filling up a 12-gallon gas tank currently costs about $39. Things get a little tricky because, as we all know, cars and trucks use vastly different amounts of fuel.
Let’s say you’re driving a car that brings a combined average of 30 miles per gallon during a mix of city and highway driving. Using that same 12-gallon tank as a reference point, you’ll have 360 miles of driving range for each fill-up. If you’re driving the same 1,124 miles per month, you’ll need to refuel three times each month and spend about $117 ($39 x 3).
Again, this is only an estimate since fuel prices and mileage vary. But considering few cars and SUVs come close to delivering a 30 mpg combined average, our fairly conservative number-crunching in this scenario makes it clear that recharging will cost less than refueling a car. The financial gap narrows with a more fuel-efficient vehicle, but it remains.
Electricity rates are subject to many factors, including the region where you live, the time of year, and even the time of day when peak charges apply. For the most part, electricity usage and costs are at their lowest late at night. That’s good news for anyone considering an EV, according to Voelcker.
“While shoppers worry about access to public charging stations, they need to know that as much as 90% of electric car charging is done overnight at home,” Voelcker said. “The cheapest way to charge your electric car is almost always at home, overnight. Some utilities have special low rates for the overnight period when their demand is lightest.”
Where you live directly impacts your electric bill. People living in Massachusetts pay about 28 cents per kWh of energy use, more than double the kWh cost in states like Louisiana (about 11 cents per kWh) or Wyoming (nearly 12 cents per kWh).
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When talking about public Level 2 charging and Level 3 fast-charging systems, the prices are harder to narrow when compared to standard at-home costs. That’s because charging networks vary in price, not to mention availability around the country.
You can always opt to install a Level 2 charger in your garage. The cost isn’t cheap. About $2,000 for parts and installation is a reasonable ballpark figure. Moving up to Level 2 means you’ll cut your charging time sometimes by half. And it can potentially add value to your home.
“Every electric car (Tesla included) can use public Level 2 stations,” says Voelcker, “but Nissan Leafs use one fast-charging standard (called CHAdeMO) while every other EV uses a different fast-charging standard called CCS.”
Many electric cars and charging networks plan to adopt Tesla’s proprietary NACS charge port, with many debuting them for the 2025 model year. Many states, local municipalities, and utility companies offer rebates and incentives for electric car owners to install home chargers. Those help lower costs further.
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Voelcker explains the difference sounds more complex than it is. “The vast majority of fast-charging locations have both kinds, with a different cable on each side of the station. It’s like the same gas pump could dispense both regular gasoline and diesel fuel from different hoses.”
As for the price, a 240-volt (Level 2) recharge could cost you anywhere from zero dollars to a fixed hourly rate. Charging networks often provide membership programs to minimize your recharge cost. That’s especially useful if you can’t regularly charge your vehicle at home.
The Electrify America network determines pricing for DC-fast chargers by charger location, your plan, and, for per-minute locations, the maximum power level your vehicle can accept. For example, to use a DC-fast charger at an Atlanta-area local grocery location, the Electrify America Pass Pricing costs 36 cents per minute based on vehicle max power. Other popular charging networks include ChargePoint and EVgo. Like many charging networks on the PlugShare app, users can find charging stations, leave reviews, and provide charging tips to other EV drivers. Tips include whether or not the charging station is in use and if it’s working properly.
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Unlike a typical 240-volt Level 2 home charger system, you will find Level 3 chargers in commercial settings because they’re prohibitively expensive for a private individual to install them at home.
Tesla uses its dedicated Supercharger network with more than 50,000 across the globe. But the rates can vary widely depending on region, timing, the Tesla model you’re charging, and the tier you choose for your recharge speeds. Tesla offers four charging tiers. One important caveat: Select Tesla Superchargers now work for non-Tesla vehicles. In 2023, the Supercharger network began opening select locations to non-Tesla cars.
Voelcker stresses that home charging is the best option for anyone considering an electric car. Yet, equally important is knowing where to find EV perks close to home.
“Some workplaces offer charging for employees’ cars … But electric-car owners quickly learn which public stations near them are free, which charge for charging, and how much they cost,” he said.
For example, a bustling parking lot in a crowded city center might lure EV owners with the promise of free electric car charging. But the resultant fee for parking there could easily zoom past what you’d have paid to fill up even the thirstiest gas-powered car or truck. Still, drivers will find the network of chargers growing with plenty of free options, including at malls, hotels, grocery stores, and more.
Voelcker’s final advice to EV owners: “Always ask before plugging in!”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated since it was originally published.
Electric vehicles may be more popular than ever, but how much does it cost to charge an electric car where you live? Before buying an electric car, it’s a good idea to do the math and find out how much it will cost you to keep it charged.
The cost of charging an electric car depends on where you live, which type of charger you use, and whether you charge it at home or on the go. Here’s what you need to know about electric vehicle charging stations, and how to determine how much it costs to charge an electric car in your state.
There are three different ways to charge an electric car: Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging. Each one has a different charging speed and cost.
Level 1 charging means using an ordinary electrical outlet, such as a standard 120-volt outlet in your home or garage. This is the slowest method, and it could take all night to reach a full charge, but you’ll pay the same rate you usually pay for electricity.
Level 2 charging refers to a 240-volt charging station. This is the most common type of charging station you’ll find on the road, and you can also install one at home for faster charging speeds. It should take around 4 to 10 hours to charge your electric car.
DC fast chargers are found at public charging stations, such as the Tesla Supercharger network. DC chargers are fast — it should take less than an hour to charge your EV — but they’re more expensive. You’ll either pay by the minute or per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
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The cost of charging an electric car depends on which charging method you use, the car’s battery capacity, and the average price of electricity in your area.
The U.S. The Department of Energy estimates that the 2023 Tesla Model 3 has annual fuel costs of $550, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year. The 2023 Nissan LEAF has estimated fuel costs of $650, or $1.06 per 25 miles.
That’s about $45 to $55 per month. Of course, your actual charging costs may be higher if you rely on public EV charging stations versus home charging, or if the cost of electricity in your state is higher than the national average.
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Gas prices vary from one gas station to the next, and public EV charging stations are no different. Some locations offer free EV charging, such as at shopping centers or hotels, but this is usually limited to Level 1 or Level 2 charging.
You may also be eligible for free charging at certain charging networks if your EV comes with free charging. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay each time you charge up.
In California, Electrify America charges EV drivers by the kilowatt-hour: 48 cents per kWh for guests and 36 cents per kWh for members. Members pay a $4 fee each month.
In Texas, guests pay 19 cents per minute for slow charging (up to 90 kW), and 37 cents per minute for faster charging (up to 350 kW). Members pay a slightly lower rate.
If you’re heading on a road trip, you’ll want to find out which EV chargers are available along the way, and whether it makes sense to buy a membership in advance.
See also:In most cases, it’s cheaper to charge an electric car at home than it is to use a charging station. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average cost of electricity in 2021 was 11 cents per kWh.
Some states were above average, such as California (almost 20 cents per kWh), but that’s still less than the rate that Electrify America charges. You may also have to pay a fee to join a charging network, or a “session fee” each time you charge up.
What about the cost of installing a home charging station? A home charger could cost $1,000 or more, but there are tax credits and other incentives available in some states, and most EV owners will find this option cheaper in the long run.
A battery electric vehicle (BEV) runs entirely on electric power, while a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) also has an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car versus a plug-in hybrid? In terms of the price per kilowatt-hour, it’s the same: you’ll pay the same rate at EVgo or Electrify America whether you’re plugging in a fully-electric car or a PHEV.
But the total cost and charging time will be less, because plug-in hybrids have a smaller battery pack. For example, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric has a capacity of 40.4 kWh, while the Hyundai IONIQ PHEV only has an 8.9-kWh battery.
Just remember that you’ll also need to fill up your plug-in hybrid’s gas tank. When both types of fuel are taken into account, the annual fuel cost for the IONIQ Electric is $550, compared to $750 for the plug-in hybrid.
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Yes, charging an EV is generally cheaper than filling up a gas-powered car. CNBC did the math and found that driving 100 miles in a gas-powered car costs an average of $14, while driving the equivalent amount using electric power costs just over $5.
They point out that the exact amount depends on the electricity rates in your area, with drivers in San Francisco paying more for both electricity and gas, but still paying less per mile to charge an EV than to fuel a gas-powered vehicle.
You’ll also pay more if you charge your EV at fast charging stations, which can be more than twice the price of charging your EV at home.
Some public charging stations are free for anyone to use, but most aren’t. You’re more likely to find free EV charging at hotels, office buildings, or shopping centers. You may also get free charging included as a perk when you buy a new EV.
Still, most charging networks require you to pay when you charge your EV. Here are some of the fees you might encounter:
A
membership fee
to join a
charging network
A
session fee
to start your charging session
A
per-minute
or
per-kWh fee
to charge your EV
An
idling fee
if you leave your car plugged in after it’s charged
No, Tesla charging stations aren’t free. Some early Tesla models came with free access to the Tesla Supercharger network, but that’s no longer the case for new models.
The exception is if you use a Destination Charger. These chargers are found at hotels and other businesses, and are typically free for paying customers of those businesses.
Tesla batteries are designed to last for at least 1,500 battery cycles, or up to 500,000 miles of driving, assuming your model has around 300 miles of range.
Over time, your battery’s capacity will decline, and you’ll get fewer miles of range with each charging cycle. Some EV owners avoid fast charging to slow down this process, but Tesla claims that degradation isn’t a major concern with Tesla batteries.
The biggest cost of a home charging station is often installation, since you’ll need to install a 240-volt outlet if you don’t have one already.
For example, the Tesla Wall Connector is a Level 2 charger that retails for $425 and costs between $750 and $1,500 for a professional installation. The Tesla Mobile Connector costs $230, and is a portable charger that doesn’t require installation, but offers slower charging speeds.
Other brands charge similar prices for comparable devices. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a rebate for installing a charging station at home.
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Calculating the cost of charging your EV at home is easy: simply take your electric bill, find your per-kilowatt energy costs, and multiply this by the size of your EV battery. If you don’t have your electric bill on hand, use the national or state average.
For example, let’s say you have a brand new Tesla with a 100-kWh battery pack, and your average electricity rate is $0.15 per kilowatt-hour. Multiply the numbers together and you’ll get $15: it will cost you $15 to fully charge your EV at home.
Of course, most of the time you won’t need to go from 0% to 100%. The EPA estimates that the 2023 Tesla Model 3 gets 100 miles of range per 25 kWh of power.
If you drive 100 miles to and from work every day, then you’ll need to add 25 kWh to your battery every day: 25 kWh of electricity at a rate of $0.15 kWh = $3.75.
There’s one more thing to consider: the time of day you charge your EV. Some energy providers offer time-of-use (TOU) discounts, such as free nights or weekends. Some public charging stations offer time-of-use discounts too. If you charge your EV during off-peak hours, such as overnight, then you may pay less than you would if you charged it during the day.
Check your electric bill to determine if your energy rates vary based on the time of day. Then, use those numbers to determine how much it costs to charge an electric car at night or during off-peak hours instead of during the day.
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The cost of charging an electric car can be as low as $3.75 per 100 miles at home as opposed to $12 at a fast charging station. You can reduce your costs by planning ahead and only charging your EV at home, or by charging at free public charging stations.
If you’re going on a road trip, you can download the PlugShare app to find charging stations on the go, or join a charging network to get lower members-only rates.
Finally, sign up for a free electricity plan with Just Energy, and charge your electric car at off-peak hours so you get the best rates.
Brought to you by justenergy.com
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