How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in 2022?

For the first time ever, it's possible to take a long road trip in an electric vehicle. The main drawback is that you'll need to keep your car charged on all but the shortest journeys. It's not easy to figure out how much it will cost. Electricity prices vary widely from one state to the next since there are so many different kinds of chargers and charging networks. Depending on the sort of charger you are using, you should expect to pay between $10 and $30 to recharge your electric vehicle while driving. In this way, the cost of an electric vehicle (EV) road trip is equivalent to the cost of a gas-powered vehicle for the same travel. However, there are other variables that might confuse this seemingly straightforward calculation of how much it cost to charge an electric car.

Charging Costs for Electric Vehicles

How much it costs to charge your electric vehicle at a public charging station is determined by the network of charging stations and their geographic location. In many jurisdictions, on-street charging may be paid for by the session. It is possible to utilize them for free with a network membership.

According to the power rating of the public charging station and whether it is slow (lamppost charging), rapid (car parks), or Rapid, the cost of charging varies (Motorway service stations). While some drivers may be able to use these free charging stations without paying, most drivers consider them to be one of the more costly alternatives available at highway service stops. A quicker charge (usually in 20-40 minutes) and more convenience are the main reasons why electric cars are more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. Lidl and Tesco's Pod Point quick chargers cost 23p/kWh and 24p/kWh, respectively, for 30 minutes of charging, which works out to roughly £6-7 for about 100 miles of range.

Factors That May Actually Increase Your Electric Bill Monthly

According to data from the Energy Information Administration, charging an electric vehicle at home costs an additional $38.50 per month, which translates to a 33% increase in the typical monthly energy bill. The fact that you can travel 1,000 miles for less than $40 is astounding, but that might change depending on how frequently you drive and where you reside. In November 2021, the average kWh rate in California was 23.76 cents, resulting in a monthly cost increase of $66.53, assuming all other parameters remained constant.

The expense of driving a less efficient EV may also be higher. A less efficient EV, such as the Audi E-Tron Quattro, requires more energy to go the same distance, increasing the cost somewhat from $38.50 to $59.13 on average. EPA-rated efficiency is met in the best-case circumstances shown in this article. In actuality, much like a gas-powered automobile, the efficiency of an electric vehicle varies with the driving circumstances (vehicle load, height changes, temps).

Home Charging Costs

When you acquire an electric car, you may charge it at home using level one EVSE and a specialized branch circuit. But a level one EVSE is sluggish; thus, charging your vehicle rapidly is tough.

For this reason, many homeowners choose to use more sophisticated, level two chargers. 10 to 20 miles per hour of charging time may be achieved using a level two EVSE. For a level two EVSE, you will need specialized charging equipment in addition to a separate electrical circuit that is capable of handling higher power. Installation costs are also required. Equipment costs $400 to $6,500, and installation costs $600 to $12,700 for a level two EVSE system on average.

Using Solar Energy

Solar panels on the roof of your house are another option for generating electricity that may be used to charge your vehicle. However, the cost of installing solar panels and an EVSE (electric vehicle charging station) is high. After taking into account any applicable federal solar tax credits, the price of a solar panel system with a capacity of 10 kWh might vary anywhere from $17,538 to $23,458.

How Do Prices Compare to Gas-Powered Vehicles?

The purchase price of an electric car is often more than that of a comparable gas-powered vehicle; however, the expenses of maintenance and fuel for electric vehicles are typically lower. Fuel cost reductions vary from $3,000 to $10,500, excluding equipment as well as installation expenses, according to the US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. An electric car's fuel expenses may be estimated using the Department of Energy's vehicle cost calculator.

Conclusion

If you're going on a road trip, the cost of recharging your electric vehicle might range from $10 to $30. An electric car may be more expensive to operate on a long road trip than a conventional vehicle. Utilize programs like One Better Route Planner and even PlugShare to design a route that includes charging stations and use grocery and hotel chargers wherever feasible to save expenses.