Charging an EV is like refueling a gasoline car. Most EV owners claim that it is greener and cheaper to operate electric cars. However, the biggest concern is how much you should pay to charge the car. Some people charge their vehicles at their home charging stations, whereas others look for public charging stations. Before owning an EV, you can explore some information about the cost of charging an electric car.
Determining the cost of charging electric cars at your home
The most important step is to know the cost of electricity in your region. You can find information from your last month’s electric bill. The monthly cost needs to be divided by the kilowatt-hours consumed in a particular month. You can then multiply the result by the KW-hour capacity of your EV. It will help you calculate the overall cost per charge.
If you have estimated the number of miles covered by your vehicle every year, it lets you know the cost per year. Determine how many miles you have driven in a year. Divide it by your car’s range and multiply the output by the cost per charge.
The cost of home charging is affordable
If you want the cheapest solution, you can charge your EV at your home. Level 1 chargers are commonly used for charging stations at residential premises. If there is a 240V outlet, the adapter cord will be easily accessible. In case you have no 240-volt outlet, install a Level 2 charging station or use a wall plug.
But, this installation project will make the process costlier. Still, you will save money on public charging services. Multiple state and federal government incentives are available to offset the installation cost. Eligibility criteria and the amount will be different for every state.
At a Level 2 home charging station, the EVs consume energy at the rate of 7.2kWh.
The average capacity of plug-in EVs is about 50kW. So, it takes 7 hours to fully charge the car on a V2 charging unit. For example, a public charging station (Level 2 charger) may charge $1.50 per hour. Thus, a full charge will cost about $11. You can compare it to the cost of charging an EV at the home charging station. You will save almost 50% if you have an EV charging infrastructure at your home.
How is EV billed for charging at the charging stations?
The charging company can calculate the charge in different ways. In most cases, it depends on the overall time frame for which you use the electric car. EV charging stations across Canada choose different approaches for the billing process.
For instance, a driver stops his car at a particular charging station, and he needs to pay around $0.27/minute. However, he has to be $12.15 plus taxes if it takes 45 minutes to charge up to 80%.
Level 2 EV charger- What is the cost of charging at public stations?
At a charging station with Level 2 chargers, the EV charging cost varies with the cost per kWh. The company providing charging services and the location are significant factors making a difference in the cost. For instance, some EV charging providers have set a rate of $0.48 per kWh. In many regions, the charge will be on a per-minute basis. So, it may be around $0.03/minute. The maximum power level and the charging speed also affect the cost. So, it is difficult to determine the particular cost in advance.
Level 2 EV charging stations and the average costs
The standard rate for charging EVs at the Level 3 charging stations in Canada is around $15/hour. Although the rate is comparatively high, you will experience a faster charging solution. So, based on your budget, you can choose between Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations.
Idle fees at public charging stations
Many charging networks in Canada incentivize those who properly use the charger. They have set a charge for idling. The fees will vary with location and network. For instance, the minimum idle fee per minute is $0.40. Some networks across the country do not set up termination charges for members. However, there is a variation in the credit card charges.
To avoid the idling fee, you must move the EV within a short time of having 100% charged. Make sure you have monitored your charging session to pay the accurate amount. Many charging networks provide an app to check the charging duration.
Never overlook freebies
Many EV models in Canada are available with different free public charging facilities. You can take advantage of free chargers in some areas, such as parking sites and shopping areas. You may also leverage benefits from free chargers at the workplace. Several free Level 2 charging services are accessible to customers at the entertainment zones.
Are you paying a reasonable amount for EV charging at public charging stations?
Pricing rates set by the charging network or the site-host owner affect the overall cost. Some site hosts try to provide free public charging facilities to attract more customers. It is a strategy to boost the dwell time of customers. However, in other places, you have to check the per-mite costs. But, there is no way to determine how much electricity has flown into your vehicle.
When it is a per-minute charging rate, the charging systems have a standardized electricity flow into the car. But, some stations provide reassurance, such as a 20-minute supercharge.
Conclusion
Charging your EV at your home and paying the utility company for the consumed electricity can be the best choice. There will be a difference depending on the energy price. You may need to invest in the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging at home. However, the future costs of charging the car will be low. You can also look for a public charging station to charge your EV’s battery. The brief guide will allow you to calculate the cost of charging an electric car.