How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?

Electric cars are becoming more and more popular not only with people who are environmentally conscious but also to those who want to save money. There are many studies showing that while electric cars may be more expensive to buy, users can save money on fuel costs in the long run. But how much does it cost to charge an electric car?

In this blog post, we will answer that question and give you a few other things to consider if you’re thinking of making the switch to electric!

What Factors Affect the Cost of Charging an Electric Car?

The answer to how much it would cost to charge an electric car is not as straightforward as you may think. That’s because the cost of charging an electric car varies depending on a number of factors.

Below are some factors that affect the cost of charging an electric vehicle.

1) What Type of Charger You’ll Use

If you purchase an electric vehicle, you will soon learn that there are different types of chargers to power up your vehicle. These chargers are categorized as:

• Level 1 – these are usually 100 or 120-volt chargers  that come with the electric vehicle and can be plugged into any electric outlet. The downside is that it takes a long time to charge your EV at around 3 to 5 miles per hour.
• Level 2 – These are 240-volt chargers that allow you to charge 20 to 30 miles per charging hour. You can go to a public Level 2 charging station or install a charging station at home.
• Level 3 – These are super fast chargers that deliver 480 volts. Depending on the Level 3 charging station, these chargers can charge 3 to 20 miles per minute.

2) Your Vehicle Type

Different car models have different battery capacities and charging requirements. So how much you’ll pay to charge your electric car depends on the type of electric car you have.

If you need to buy a charger or install a home charging station, the make and model of your EV will also affect the cost of these charging equipment. Some chargers and batteries also eat up more electricity compared to others.

3) Where You Live

How much it costs to charge an electric car also depends on where you live. Some states have more public charging stations and the competition lowers the price of charging.

There are also states such as California that offer free EV charging stations. There are currently 542 free EV charging stations in the state. If you live in a place where there is a free charging station nearby, this can save you a lot of money because you won’t have to pay anything.

However, if you reside in a place where there are only a few public fast charging stations, this can make this charging option way more expensive.

4) Your Electricity Rate

Majority of electric vehicle owners opt to charge at home. This is the most convenient and often the cheapest way to charge an electric vehicle. If you plan to charge your EV at home, then the cost of charging will depend on how much is the cost of electricity in your area.

The average electricity cost in the United States for residential properties is 14.26 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). You have to determine the cost of your electricity rate per kWh to calculate how much you’ll pay extra when charging your EV at home.

Costs of Charging an Electric Car

Now that you know the different factors that affect the cost of charging an EV, we’ll give you some estimates of how much it costs to charge an EV depending on the type of charger you’re going to use and how to calculate your rate.

When calculating the cost of charging an electric car, you will need to pay attention to the kwH per 100 miles, which is the electricity required for an EV to travel 100 miles.

According to a government website www.fueleconomy.gov, the average is 34.6 kWh/100 mi based on 231 electric vehicles.

Cost of Level 1 and Level 2 Home Charging

If you are charging at home, you need to multiply your electricity rate per kWh to the kWh per 100 miles. Take note that these figures will vary depending on your electricity rate in your state and the model of your vehicle.

For example, Louisiana only charges 10.42 cents per kWh , while Hawaii charges around 30.55 per kWh.

When it comes to the kWh per 100 miles, you also have to check your vehicle. For instance, a 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV Automatic clocks in at 28 kWh per 100 miles while a 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD consumes 29 kWh per 100 miles.

If we use the United States averages, the calculation will go this way:

$0.1426  per kWh (average electricity cost – residential)

multiplied by

 34.6 kWh per 100 miles (average electricity required to travel 100 miles) equals

$4.93 per 100 miles or $0.04 per mile

Cost of Level 2 Public Charging Station

Many public charging stations charge by the hour or by kWh so it depends which charging station you go to or what is available in your state.

Level 2 charging stations usually charge 20 to 30 cents per kWh. So if you’re charging in a Level 2 charging station, you will need to spend:

$0.20 per kWh (Level 2 charging station charge)

multiplied by

34.6 kWh per 100 miles (average electricity required to travel 100 miles)

equals

$6.92 per 100 miles or $0.07 per mile

Cost of Level 3 Charging Station 

Level 3 chargers are super fast chargers so they charge a premium but can save you a lot of time especially if you’re on the go. These stations usually charge between 40 to 60 cents per kWh.

$0.40 per kWh (Level 3 charging station charge)

multiplied by

34.6 kWh per 100 miles (average electricity required to travel 100 miles)

equals

$13.84 per 100 miles or $0.14 per mile

Knowing the Cost of Charging an Electric Car in Clinton TN Before You Buy

It’s important to know the cost of charging an electric car before you buy one. Dealerships are starting to offer more options for electric vehicle buyers, so it’s important to do your research and find out what best suits your needs when it comes to buying an EV.

If you need more information about EVs, don’t hesitate to contact Rusty Wallace in Clinton TN. As your hometown dealer, we are always happy to assist you in finding your next vehicle.