Article at a Glance
- EV charging costs $10–$15 per 100 miles, with rates varying by location and method.
- Charging is generally cheaper than gas, with total charges costing $10–$40 compared to $30–$80 for fuel.
- Home charging costs $10–$25, public stations range from $15–$40 based on speed and battery size.
- EVs travel 150–300 miles per charge, influencing where drivers choose to recharge.
Although many advantages exist when driving an electric vehicle, you may be worried about the cost of charging it. When considering a switch, operational costs for charging the electric car versus operating a gas-powered car can be a key decision point. It’s also important to understand your locations and sources for charging, which play a role in the EV charging cost. Learn more about electric car operational charging costs with our comprehensive guide.
What Does It Cost To Charge an Electric Car?
The average cost to charge an electric car for about 100 miles of range is $10 to $15. The potential range of costs varies greatly, though. Some people may pay as little as $2.50 or $3, while others may pay $25 or $30.
The exact cost depends on the electric rates in your area, the type of electric car you own, the charging location, and the method used to generate the power. For example, it typically costs more to visit a commercial station and use the maximum charging speed than to charge in your garage overnight. Dynamic pricing, which takes time of day and overall power demands into account, also affects the EV charging cost.
How To Find a Free Public Charging Station for Your EV?
It is possible to charge your electric vehicle for free at a public charging station, but you may have to find an option.
Your best option for free EV charging is to seek out businesses with EV charging stations. These entities might offer free charging if you make a minimum purchase while you shop.
Public entities like museums or libraries might offer free charging while you visit.
Some employers may create EV charging stations at work and offer free charging to employees during the workday. This can be a nice perk to keep employees happy and to promote the business’s commitment to protecting the environment.
Is EV Charging Cheaper Than Gas?
Charging an electric car is usually cheaper than operating a car with gasoline. However, it can be difficult for people to compare the two quickly.
The EV stores power in its battery by measuring kilowatt-hours, or kWh. Because gas-powered cars measure fuel usage in miles per gallon, or MPG, comparing the two becomes easier if you consider the EV car’s operational costs in miles per gallon equivalent or MPGe.
You use a formula to create the MPGe rating comparable to the MPG on a gas-powered car. A typical EV has MPGe ratings from 80 to 120, while gas-powered cars typically range from 15 to 35 MPG.
The MPGe rating isn’t perfect, as the cost to charge an EV varies based on the factors mentioned earlier. However, it does give you a rough comparison between the cost of operating a gas-powered car and an EV.
Cost To Charge an EV vs. Gas Fuel Fillup
Charging an electric car is nearly always cheaper than filling up at a gas station. The average cost to charge an EV from empty can range from $10 to $40. However, some locations are more expensive.
The average cost to fill a gas-powered car from empty to full at a gas station ranges from about $30 to $80, although it depends on the size of your gas tank and the fluctuating cost of gas.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge Your EV at Home?
The EV charging cost at home can range from about $10 to $25.
The home charging costs for an EV will depend on what you pay for electricity. The cost of charging an EV from solar can be lower than charging through the local power grid. It also depends on the time of day you charge if your local power company uses dynamic pricing.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge Your EV at a Public Charging Station?
The cost to charge an electric car at a public charging station is slightly higher than at home, usually ranging from $15 to $40 to fill an empty battery.
The actual public charging costs depend on the size of the EV’s battery and on the speed at which you’re charging. At a fast-charging station, you’ll pay more per hour than if you charge at a slower rate.
Solar power can lower the cost of charging an EV than charging from the power grid. If your company wants to begin offering a public charging station for visitors to the business or employees, solar can make the station less expensive to operate.
How Far Can an EV Go on One Charge?
The EV charging cost calculations may also depend on how far you can drive on a single charge, perhaps allowing you to reach a cheaper charging station. The range for how far an electric car can go on one charge typically is between 150 and 300 miles. However, some models can travel 500 miles or more before needing another charge.
Multiple factors affect the distance an EV can travel on a single charge, including:
- Vehicle design, including whether it’s an aerodynamic design
- Load the vehicle is carrying
- Capacity of the battery
- Driving conditions
- Temperature outside
- Age of the batteries
- Air pressure in the tires
- Speed of travel
- Quality of the road
Additional Read: Meet Our Energy Efficiency Experts
Get Sun-Fueled Electric Driving With Verde Solutions
At Verde Solutions, we offer commercial EV charging solutions. We can help you set up a solar-powered EV charging station at your business that can draw customers or encourage employee loyalty. If you have a fleet of EVs for your business, we can create efficient EV charging cost options.
To learn more about the cost of charging an electric car with solar power, contact Verde Solutions. We offer EV charging solutions that perfectly fit your commercial needs. Call us today at (800) 541-1137 for more information and to discuss some solutions.
