While gas prices are displayed on the same large, easy-to-read signs in every state and at every station, costs to charge an EV are not as obvious. Plus, unlike gas vehicles, you can “refuel” your EV at home, where electricity prices will be slightly different than at public chargers.
It’s easy to get bogged down by these details and lose track of what owning an EV would mean for your wallet. But you can get a ballpark estimate by looking at some basic components of EV charging costs: the energy costs (gas, electricity) in your area, vehicle type, and miles driven.
Assuming you’ve already purchased an electric vehicle–and taken advantage of any state and federal rebates–here’s how to quickly calculate how much it’ll cost to use it on a daily basis.
1. Look Up Gas and Electricity Costs in Your State
Prior to starting at PCMag, I worked in Big Tech on the West Coast for six years. From that time, I got an up-close view of how software engineering teams work, how good products are launched, and the way business strategies shift over time. After I’d had my fill, I changed course and enrolled in a master’s program for journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago. I'm now a reporter with a focus on electric vehicles.
Electric Car Charge Time & Cost Calculator Our Charging Time & Cost Calculator allows you to calculate how much it will cost and how long it will take to charge your electric car.
01. Please select the electric car you would like to charge Manufacturer Model Derivative Can't load the car data, please try selecting another vehicle.
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Disclaimer: Charging speeds are estimates and are based on assumptions so should only be used for general comparative purposes. Actual charging rates and speeds depend on vehicle charging ability, ’useable’ battery, energy loss and current state of charge as charging speeds can decline at around 80%.
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What is it?
It is a calculator that estimates electric vehicle charging time and cost.Use it if you plan to charge your EV at home, at work or at any AC charging point.
The calculator is not applicable to DC charging stations, as DC fast charging works a bit differently.
We promise to add a separate DC charging calculator in the near future!
How to use it?
- Pick an electric car from the dropdown list;
- Set the current and desired state of charge (20-80% by default);
- Choose the socket you’re charging from or manually adjust voltage and amperage;
- If you want to calculate the cost of charging, fill in how much you pay per kWh of electricity.
HOME CHARGING
Assuming you have a garage and/or access to the power grid, charging electric car at home is the most convenient and cost effective way to recharge an EV. It costs about $10.50 for keeping your car fully charged . Called Level 1 charging, it takes between 8 to 24 hours to obtain a full charge, using a basic 110-volt charging unit which plugs into a standard electric outlet. However, spending around $250-$400 to have an electrician installing 240-volt lines in your garage will take advantage of Level 2 charging which can restore a drained battery in as little as four hours. The electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) will be also needed as an external Level 2 charging unit, which can cost between $300 and $1200. The cost of electricity is much more stable than the price of gasoline. Be aware to check the electricity supplier and the plan you use in your area.
LEVEL 2. PUBLIC CHARGING
1 Hour of Charge - 30 km of Driving Range
Level 2 public charging is often called as a destination charging. It is a great solution, if you plan to stay at your ‘destination’ for several hours. The costs of charging your electric car at a public charging station can differ depending on the station’s owner. Some Level 2 public charging places are free-to-use, while other stations are pay-per-use, charging a fee, such as a start rate, a rate per minute and/or a kWh-rate. The average cost for pay-per-use is $1.00/Hour or $2.50/Charge. Typically, public charging stations charge $0.11 to $0.15 per kilowatt-hour or $2 to $8 for a complete fill up. You will find units installed in areas where there is a higher concentration of electric vehicles, retailed parking lots, public parking garages, and near larger cities. You can either use a credit card being on a pay-as-you-go basis, or through an account with a charging network.
LEVEL 3. PUBLIC CHARGING
1 Hour of Charge - 250 km of Driving Range
A far quicker, upgraded alternative of standard Level 2 public charger is Level 3 public charging station, also known as DC Fast Charging (DCFC). It brings a given electric vehicle’s battery up to 80% of its capacity in around 30 to 45 minutes. Most Level 3 charging stations are pay-per-use and most of them bill by the minute for an average cost of $15/Hour. It is available near metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, Level 3 charging is the costliest, while it is the fastest way to charge an electric vehicle.