How Much Does It Cost to Fully Charge an Electric Car: A Comprehensive Guide

Electric cars have become increasingly popular, thanks to their environmental benefits and cost savings. However, one of the key questions that often comes up is: how much does it cost to fully charge an electric car? Factors such as battery size, miles per kWh, and electric utility rates all play a significant role in determining the answer.

Understanding Electric Car Batteries

Electric cars come with a variety of battery sizes, ranging from as little as 4 kWh in PHEVs ( plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) to as much as 100 kWh in full electric vehicles (EVs). This article will use the example of a Chevrolet Bolt, which has a 60 kWh battery. Understanding the capacity of your vehicle's battery is crucial for calculating charging costs and managing your usage.

Electric Utility Rates and Costs

Electric utilities charge different rates per kWh, which can vary greatly depending on the location. Some utilities offer special rates for charging EVs, often referred to as off-peak rates. The national average for electricity is about 17 cents per kWh. This rate can range from a few cents to half a dollar per kWh, depending on the utility.

Let's consider an EV that's driven around 15,000 miles per year at the average rate of 17 cents per kWh. The annual cost for electricity to charge the car would be approximately $650.

Our Example: The Chevrolet Bolt

The Chevrolet Bolt has a 60 kWh battery. An average driver might get about 4.6 miles per kWh, meaning that a fully charged battery would provide roughly 282 miles of range. At a utility rate of 24 cents per kWh, the cost to fully charge the depleted battery would be about $14.40.

However, it's recommended to not charge the battery above 80% frequently or to discharge it below 20%. This means that the typical battery use might involve less than 60 kWh of capacity, or around 36 kWh, which would cost approximately $8.64 to fully charge at 24 cents per kWh.

Daily Charging and Off-Peak Rates

Many drivers, including the author, drive around 30 miles a day. Since the battery provides about 30 miles per charge, they aim to charge the battery about twice a week. This may be done by plugging in for an hour or two every day. During this time, an hour of charging adds about 17 miles to the range, and two hours of charging costs about $1.80 at the regular utility rate of 24 cents per kWh.

To fully charge with a level 1 charger that came with the car can take up to 50 hours, depending on temperature. A level 2 charger reduces this time to around 17 hours, and a faster level 2 charger can do it in only 9 hours. If off-peak rates were available, it could further reduce these times and costs, but many utilities require the installation of a "free" level 2 charger with internet connections and programming.

Level 2 Charger Installation and Off-Peak Rates

Our utility offers an off-peak charging discount but requires the installation of a "free" level 2 charger with internet connections and programming. The author may get to this project some time in the future. For now, an old level 2 charger is plugged into a 20A 240V dryer socket, and a level 1 charger is plugged into a standard 120V 20A socket.

The level 2 charger is about half the charge rate at 16A, and a faster one would require wiring a 30A 240V circuit. The author hasn't found a need for faster charging yet, and the cost savings don't outweigh the inconvenience of installing a new circuit. The installation contract requires a licensed electrician and could cost a hundred dollars or more. If the author was saving $0.50 per day, it might take a year to recover the cost of the electrician. Getting an appointment for the work could take several weeks or months.

Conclusion

Electric car charging costs depend on many factors, including battery size, utility rates, and charging methods. Understanding these factors can help you manage your charging expenses more effectively. Whether you opt for off-peak rates, level 2 charging, or accepting slower charging times, the goal is to find a balance between cost, convenience, and environmental impact.

If you're looking to reduce your charging costs, consider the following tips:

Use off-peak rates when available Keep your car's battery within a healthy usage range (20-80%) Choose appropriate charging methods based on your daily driving needs

By carefully managing your charging schedule and choosing the right methods, you can significantly reduce the cost of using your electric car.