How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Vehicle?

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle? Well lately, most drivers have had this thought run through their mind. Now that gas prices are through the roof, a number of drivers are turning to Google search to find out if electric charging is really more cost-effective. However, this isn’t surprising.

Recent data from AAA suggests the national average for gasoline has reached $4.881 this month. This unthinkable figure demonstrates an exorbitant increase from the estimated $3.06/gal exactly one year ago. In spite of this, drivers have begun trading in their gas-guzzling engines for a greener alternative. Electric vehicle sales are now breaking quarterly records due to the  gas pump woes this year.

Though this spells good news for the environment, the switch from combustion to electric requires some adjusting. Besides the fact that you’re limited to a certain driving range, the price of electric vehicles is often more expensive than conventional cars. Making it quite difficult for the everyday buyer to transition to green. Despite these setbacks, drivers are become more intrigued by electric mobility.

Fact is, this is not a trend. Electric vehicles are here for the long-run, that’s clear to see. With the recent EU ban, it’s probable more countries will follow suit in the elimination of combustion engines. If not now, at least in the next few decades. Therefore, the sooner you get on board, the more likely you’ll reap the benefits of this new way of driving.

So, to answer your question, we’ve outlined ways to determine how much it cost you to charge an electric vehicle. Both at home and at a remote charging station.

How much will it cost to charge an electric vehicle at home?

We’ll start off by saying there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. That said, you can easily configure how much it will cost you by taking a look at your electric bill. On average, an electric vehicle gets around 3-4 miles per kWh. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. household pays an estimated 14 cents per kWh. If you want a more accurate portrayal of what you’ll pay, grab your electric bill then divide the kilowatts used by the total dollar amount.

Next, you’ll take that 3-4 mile average and divide that by the total miles you drive each month. Once you get that number, multiply it by the cost per kWh. Whatever amount you get is typically the baseline for what you’ll pay each month for charging an electric vehicle at home. If you’re confused, that’s alright. Not everyone loves math so let’s break it down with numbers.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say Tim drives approximately 1,050 miles per month. Take that figure and divide it by 3 miles (the average electric span per kWh) to get the total amount of kWh used in a 30 day period at home.

1050 miles/3 kWh = 350 kWh

Now that we know the amount of kilowatt-hours used, we can take Tim’s electric bill into account and decipher the cent average per kHw. Let’s say Tim’s household average is 13.5 cents per kWh, which is just below the national median. Simply multiply 350kWh by 0.135 to get your answer.

350 kWh X 13.5 cents (0.135) = 47.25

To conclude, Tim would spend $47.25 per month to charge his electric vehicle. Not too shabby, right?

How much does it cost to charge your car at a remote charging station?

You won’t always have the luxury of being close to home when you need to fuel-up. But luckily, charging stations are popping up across shopping centers and local businesses nationwide. In fact, there’s even apps that help you navigate where to find the closest charging station. With that said, cost might be a consideration when you’re away from the home base.

In general, the average cost per kWh is about $0.30 to $0.60 at a mobile charging station. This means, an almost empty battery may cost you a total of $30 to completely recharge. On the other hand, a relatively full or half-way full tank will only need $10 or less to fuel up. As a good rule of thumb, EV drivers should stray away from completing depleting their battery. This maintains better battery health over time.

And though remote charging stations are more costly than at charging at home, it’s still less expensive than filling up a gas tank. The only variance you’ll see in cost is dependent on the make and model, but more specifically the size and efficiency of your EV’s battery. On top of that, the faster the charging, the higher the rate you’ll see. A Tier 2 recharge will save you time, but not necessary money. If you’re crunched for time, you will end up paying a bit more.

Overview

Although you could make a case that electric vehicles are still a costly endeavor, their long-term benefits are vast. The main advantage to driving an electric vehicle nowadays, besides the environmental factor, is the joys of eliminating gas costs. As you can see, the cost of charging an EV is not nearly comparable to the amounts that drivers pay at the gas station.

All in all, we hope this information gives you a better understanding of the cost of electric charging. If you’re interested in learning more about electric vehicle ownership, check out the following Headlights.com articles for more news:

• Electric Vehicle Sales Increased By 60% in Q1
• Volvo C40 Recharge: Defining the Future of Electric Luxury
• Top Choices for Electric and Hybrid SUVs