How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car? Complete EV Charging Cost Guide

Many people wonder how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle daily. This guide breaks down charging costs, explains how to calculate expenses, and compares pricing across different scenarios and models.

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

1. Determine the electric vehicle’s battery capacity

Battery capacity is measured in kWh (kilowatt-hours), which represents the total amount of energy the battery can store when fully charged and serves as the basis for calculation.

2. Calculate the cost of a single full charge

Charging cost (USD) = EV battery capacity (kWh) × Electricity rate (USD/kWh)

For example, using the U.S. average electricity rate of $0.18/kWh, charging a vehicle with a 75 kWh battery capacity would cost $13.50 per full charge: 75 × 0.18 = $13.50.

3. Calculate Total Costs for Different Charging Routines

Based on charging habits such as weekdays and weekends, track the frequency of each type of charge. Sum the “cost per charge × frequency” to determine the total daily, weekly, and monthly charging costs.

For example: If you top up the battery once daily on weekdays (20% → 100%), the cost per charge is $12. If you fully charge the battery once on weekends (20% → 80%), the cost per charge is $15.

Total weekly charging cost: $60.00 + $30.00 = $90.00.

Charging costs vary by region:

• Low-cost areas ($0.09/kWh): $45.00 per week
• U.S. average electricity rate ($0.18/kWh): $90.00 per week
• High-cost areas (California, $0.34/kWh): $170.00 per week

Price Comparison of Popular Electric Vehicle Models

Impact of Battery Capacity on Charging Costs

Small batteries (40–60 kWh): Approximately $8.00–$12.00 per full charge.

Medium batteries (60–90 kWh): Approximately $12.00–$18.00 per full charge.

Large batteries (90 kWh and above): Starting at $18.20 per full charge.

How much does it cost to charge an EV vs. fuel up with gas?

Energy costs can vary considerably depending on the vehicle model and its efficiency. Here, we compare the costs of charging electric vehicles and refueling gasoline-powered cars using several popular models as examples.

Fuel Costs for Compact Sedans

Fuel Costs for Midsize SUVs

Fuel Costs for Pickup Trucks

How much does it cost to charge at home vs. in public?

Home charging is the most economical option. Public charging stations generally charge higher rates due to additional service fees, site costs, and operational expenses. Specifically, public Level 2 stations cost at least $0.07 more per kWh than home charging, while the price difference for DC fast charging is even more significant. Based on an average annual mileage of 12,000 miles in North America, the specific cost comparisons for different charging scenarios are as follows:

To learn more about the differences between home charging and public charging, please click EV Home Charging VS Public Charging.

Factors Affecting Charging Costs

Electricity Rates

• Regional Variations: Residential electricity rates vary significantly across U.S. states, ranging from approximately $0.14 to $0.31 per kWh, with rates in California and the Northeast being notably higher.
• Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates: Rates are higher during daytime peak hours and lower during nighttime off-peak hours, with price differences reaching 3–5 times.

Charging Scenarios and Station Types

• Residential Level 2: The cheapest option, at approximately $0.18/kWh, with no service fees.
• Public Level 2: Located at shopping malls and office areas, costing approximately $0.25–$0.40/kWh (including service fees).
• DC Fast Charging: At highway or fast-charging stations, $0.45–$0.50/kWh; equipment and grid costs are high.

Charging Efficiency

• Home chargers are about 85–90% efficient; fast chargers are about 85–95% efficient, with higher losses at lower temperatures.
• This means if you pay for 10 kWh of electricity, the battery only receives 8.5–9.5 kWh.

Vehicle Efficiency

• Energy consumption (kWh/100 miles): Varies significantly by model; efficient vehicles use about 23 kWh/100 miles, while large SUVs and pickups can reach 35–40 kWh/100 miles.
• Temperature and Driving Conditions: Cold winter temperatures, high-speed driving, and frequent acceleration all increase energy consumption, which indirectly raises costs.

Comparison of Level 1 and Level 2 Charging Costs

Many car owners focus solely on the difference in charging speeds between Level 1 and Level 2 charging, but they often overlook the hidden costs associated with energy loss. Below, we provide a detailed comparison of the cost differences between the two charging methods, based on actual electricity rates and battery capacity.

Level 1 EV Charger Cost (120V Standard Outlet)

1. Direct Electricity Costs

• Electricity rate: Approx. $0.14–$0.20/kWh (U.S. household average: $0.18/kWh)
• Filling a 60kWh battery: 60kWh × $0.18 ≈ $10.80

2. Efficiency Loss

• Efficiency: 70%–75% (significant energy is wasted as heat)
• Loss: 25%–30%

3. Actual Cost (60 kWh Battery):

• Actual Cost: (60 × 0.14) ÷ 0.75 = $11.20
• Compared to Level 2 charging, each full charge costs approximately $1.87 more. 

Level 2 EV Charger Cost (240V Dedicated Circuit)

1. Direct Electricity Costs

• Electricity rate: $0.14–$0.20/kWh
• To fully charge a 60 kWh battery: $10.80

2. Efficiency Loss

• Efficiency: 90%–95%
• Loss: 5%–10%

3. Actual Cost (60 kWh Battery):

• Actual cost: (60 × 0.14) ÷ 0.90 ≈ $9.33

Calculations are based on an electricity rate of $0.14/kWh.

Smart Charging: How Time-of-Use Rates Can Save You Money

Time-of-Use Rate Structures:

In North America, standard time-of-use rates are divided into two main periods with significant price differences:

• Peak Hours: Typically from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on weekdays, with rates ranging from approximately $0.35 to $0.42 per kWh;
• Off-Peak Hours: Generally from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM the following morning, with rates as low as $0.08–$0.16/kWh.
• Overall, nighttime off-peak rates are 54% to 81% cheaper than peak rates.

Taking the Chevrolet Bolt EV as an example, with a battery capacity of 65 kWh:

• Peak-Hour Charging Cost: $30.33
• Off-Peak Charging Cost: $10.11
• Savings per charge: $20.22

Over the course of a year (50 full charges), charging during off-peak hours can save a total of $1,011.11.

Conclusion: By understanding how EV charging costs work and applying smart charging strategies, you can significantly reduce your overall vehicle operating expenses. A reliable home charging station, such as a ZENCAR charger, can help you take full advantage of time-of-use electricity rates for more convenient and cost-effective charging.

FAQ

Is solar charging a worthwhile investment for electric vehicle owners?

Yes, if you live in a sunny area with high electricity rates and plan to stay in your home long-term, solar power brings great long-term savings.

How do charging network membership fees affect costs?

Membership fees are fixed expenses. Frequent public fast charging earns discounts to offset the fee, while occasional use will raise your total costs.

When is the cheapest time to charge an electric vehicle?

Home charging is cheapest from 11 PM to 7 AM. Public fast charging usually costs the least between 11 AM and 3 PM thanks to solar power.

Will charging an electric vehicle increase my electricity bill?

Yes, but by taking advantage of nighttime off-peak rates and using smart charging, you can keep the additional costs to a minimum.

What is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric vehicle at home?

Sign up for time-of-use (TOU) rates, use a residential Level 2 charging station, and utilize smart features to automatically charge during nighttime off-peak hours.

How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle at home each month?

Monthly home charging generally runs $40–$130 across North America, and overnight charging can cut expenses further.

Is it cheaper to charge an electric vehicle at night?

Yes. In most parts of North America, electricity demand is at its lowest during nighttime hours, resulting in lower rates. Charging at night can effectively reduce costs.

Does a larger battery capacity mean higher charging costs for an electric vehicle?

Assuming the same electricity rates and charging efficiency, a larger battery pack will cost more to fully charge each time.

How can I reduce the cost of charging an electric vehicle?

You can reduce EV charging costs by using time-of-use (TOU) rates to charge overnight and taking advantage of smart charging features.

Are electric vehicles cheaper than gasoline-powered vehicles?

Yes. With home charging and regular use, EVs have a lower total cost of ownership thanks to lower energy bills and fewer maintenance needs.