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. 

How Long Does It Take to Charge Electric Cars? 

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). 

How Much Does It Actually Cost to Charge an Electric Car? 

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. 

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at a Charging Station in the U.S.? 

Man Charging up Electric Vehiclesource

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.  

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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. 

Is It Cheaper to Charge an Electric Car at Home or at a Charging Station? 

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. 

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Plug-in Hybrid? 

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. 

Is EV Charging Cheaper Than Gas? 

Woman Charges Electric Car Plugin Hybridsource

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.  

Are Electric Car Charging Stations Free? 

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 

Are Tesla Charging Stations Free? 

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. 

How Long Do Tesla Batteries Last? 

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. 

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Charging Station? 

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. 

How Do You Calculate Electric Car Charging Cost at Home? 

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. 

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Night? 

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. 

How Do You Reduce the Cost of Charging an Electric Car? 

Charging Electric Car Woman Smiles While on Phonesource

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.  

The search is over. Call 1-866-217-7061 to get the best energy plan for your home.

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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