Before you even pull off the lot in a new electric vehicle, charging is likely on your mind. With these cars using batteries that recharge at home or public stations versus traditional fuel engines, there will be some changes you’ll need to make moving forward.
First, your EV comes with an at-home charger, usually in the form of a Level 1 or Level 2 cable/station. You want to install this somewhere dry and protected from the elements, as well as figure out what voltage/power you need for weekly charges. This process can seem intimidating to some people, but overall, it’s easy as time passes.
There are different kinds of chargers and stations. Pricing for your electricity varies, but it shouldn’t cost more than it would to put fuel in your tank. There are even times when plugging in is cheaper for EV owners, which we will cover throughout this article. Stick around because we’re here to help you with all your EV-related charging questions!
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In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Tesla and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, energy.gov, and other government websites.
The Basics Of Charging Your Electric Vehicle
- There are three charger types for electric vehicles.
- Most EVs include a Level 1 or Level 2 charging cable/system.
When it comes to charging your electric vehicle, there are three main charging types: Level 1 (120 Volt), Level 2 (240 Volt), or DC fast charging (Level 3). Some models will be able to have Level 3 fast charging, while most plug-in hybrids do not have that capability. Your EV will most likely come with a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, which you can easily plug into your garage outlet or a protected wall in your home. EVs are a lot like our phones because they come with the basics and need to be recharged when their battery hits a certain level.
You also want to remember that charging times vary by output, with Level 1 being your slowest, Level 2 being the second fastest, and Level 3 being the quickest option. Any EV can use Level 1 or Level 2 chargers, although most true EVs (no gas engine) can use Level 3.
Charger Types And Output For EVs
|
Charger Type |
Output |
Time to Charge |
|
Level 1 |
120 volts |
About 5 miles per 1 hour of charging* |
|
Level 2 |
220 volts |
About 25 miles per 1 hour of charging |
|
Level 3 |
400-900 volts |
~100 – 300+ miles per 30 minutes of charging |
(Data sourced from the EPA)
It’s worth mentioning that not all vehicles *need* to be rapidly charged. You can easily plug in your car overnight with a Level 1 or Level 2 charger and be fine by morning. Most times, fast charging will cost more because of the high energy outputs, which are better suited for public charging or traveling long distances.
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The Price You’ll Pay To Charge An Electric Car
- The average cost per kWh of electricity to charge an EV in the U.S. is 16 cents.
- Most EV owners spend around $60 monthly on electricity for their cars.
Moving onto the price you can expect to pay for EV charging as an owner, this is *on average* close to 16 cents per kWh across the United States. Most times, electric car charging doesn’t need to happen more than 1-2 times weekly and shouldn’t use an excessive amount of energy if you plan accordingly.
Per the Department of Energy, the average United States household spends roughly $60 per month charging one electric car, often staying under $800 annually. If you charge an EV one time each week using a Level 1 or 2 charging station or cable, you can expect to keep costs below $15. That said, the normal person driving on U.S. roads in an electric model travels 1,124 miles per month, which would require about one charge per week if your car has ~300 miles of range.
Try To Find Free Charging When Possible
As an EV owner, locating local free charging stations for your car is always good. Typically, these are located at malls, offices, schools, public parks, and other popular areas. When it’s time to do some shopping or at work/school/etc., plugging into a rapid charger (Level 3) for 15-30 minutes is all you need to be good for a week of driving. Sites like PlugShare are good examples of resources for you as an electric car owner, locating FREE charging stations near your current zip code.
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Choosing The Right Time To Plug In Matters
- You want to charge your EV battery once it hits under 10 percent.
- Most manufacturers recommend only charging an EV to 80 percent at home.
Regarding when it’s time to charge an electric vehicle, there are two factors to consider. First, once your battery level reaches under 10 percent, it is time to charge it. You can wait until you get home and leave your car plugged in through the evening OR drive up to a fast charger. One thing to note, however, is that many Tesla Superchargers or DC fast charging stations cost money and will require payment. You could spend as much as $25 per recharge using a Supercharger for your EV.
Many manufacturers and experts also suggest charging from 0-80 percent on regular occasions, while longer distance travel or times between electricity can go to 100 percent.
Generally, the battery in your electric car should be maintained between 30 and 80 percent capacity. You also do not need to charge it every night.
Plug In Your EV After Peak Energy Hours
Most electrical grids experience a ‘peak’ timeline during the day, charging customers more money per kWh consumed. For instance, the city of Mesa in Arizona recommends avoiding EV charging between the hours of 6 AM to 10 PM, instead charging between 11 PM and 5 AM. This is the standard recommendation for most US cities, with peak times being early morning before work and then once everyone comes home in the evening.
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Charging Your EV Shouldn’t Cost Too Much Or Take Much Time If You Do It Right!
- There will be three charging types for EVs, ranging in price and power.
- Most EV owners spend less on electricity than fuel-reliant owners spend on gas.
One thing you’ve learned in this post is that EV charging doesn’t have to be painful. Generally, your electric car won’t be more than ~$60 to electrify each month and could only require one charge each week if you live close to your work, school, and other attractions or activities. The total cost of operating an EV is less than a fuel-reliant model, and if you choose the right time and place to plug in, you may be able to get free power.
There are three charger types for an electric car: Level 1, 2, and 3. Levels 1 and 2 are usually standard for electric models off the dealer lot, while Level 3 fast charging stations are popping up more and more throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Enjoy your electric vehicle!
