How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV?
Similar to filling up your tank with gas, the cost of charging an electric car is determined by many factors including the price of electricity in your area, whether you’re charging at home or at a charging station, the size of your car’s battery pack, the time of day at which you charge, and more.
Most people have a general idea of how much it costs to fill up their tank; similarly, owners of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) will quickly learn the general cost to recharge their car’s battery at home and around town.
Very broadly speaking, charging your Electric Vehicle (EV) at home overnight is typically the most reliably economical option, while charging at a public Level 3 DC fast charger carries higher costs.
But if you’re considering owning an EV for the first time and are looking for an approximate cost of charging an electric car or SUV on a regular basis, there are ways you can make a more informed financial decision.
We created this guide specifically to help you better estimate the cost of charging an electric car vehicle at home or on the go, because stepping into the unknown is one thing, but driving into it is another.
Cost to charge an electric car at home
Variables to consider when estimating at-home EV charging costs
Here are some of the different variables you need to keep in mind when estimating the cost of charging your electric vehicle at home:
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The cost of electricity varies from state to state and even city to city within the same state, ranging from roughly 13 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 47 cents in the continental United States (as of August 2023).
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Perhaps obvious, but still worth stating, is the fact that larger batteries hold more energy (and thus will cost more) to charge to full capacity. Battery Powered Electric Vehicles (BEVs) typically have larger batteries than Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), as the former relies solely on battery power for all its driving and thus needs a larger battery to accommodate extended range.
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Energy prices fluctuate based on demand, even from hour to hour. In general, demand for electricity is lower at night, meaning it’s typically cheaper to charge your car at night, during off-peak times. Demand is also often lower during seasons when the weather is mild, like spring and fall, making it generally cheaper to charge your EV during those seasons (depending on where you live).
How to estimate your at-home EV charging costs
The following steps can get you to a rough estimate of at-home EV charging costs as well as estimates for total monthly charging costs. Keep in mind that the results of these calculations are just approximations and that actual costs will almost certainly differ to some extent. For more intensive estimates, you can also use the Alternative Fuels Data Center cost calculator.
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● Your price per kWh: If you don’t know the cost of your home’s electricity by kWh, you can typically find it on your electricity bill. You might need to divide the total amount of your bill by the kWhs used during the given period. If you don’t feel like hunting down your most recent electricity bill, you can get an estimate by looking at state averages.
● Your car’s battery size: Your electric car’s battery size can be found in your car’s Owner’s Manual, by asking your dealer, or via a quick internet search. Electric car battery sizes are measured in kWhs.
● The average miles you drive per month: If you haven’t been keeping track of your monthly miles driven on your odometer, you can check the Federal Highway Administration’s annual miles per driver average for your age and gender and divide by 12. You may also be able to check miles traveled in any mileage tracking apps you may have downloaded.
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For this example, we’ll be assuming a price of 17 cents/kWh (roughly the median average in the U.S.) and a car with a battery of 18 kWh (on the lower end for BEVs, but on the higher end for PHEVs). Assuming you’re fully recharging this hypothetical battery:
17 cents/kWh x 18 kWh battery = $0.17 x 18 = $3.06
In this scenario, it would cost just over $3.00 to recharge this car’s battery at home.
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Today’s EVs travel between roughly 2 and 5 miles per kWh. Erring on the conservative side, divide your total miles driven by 3 to see how many kWhs you use to get where you need to go each month. For our example, let’s say someone drives roughly 1,200 miles per month. Assuming that someone is using a BEV vehicle, they would need roughly 400 kWhs per month.
17 cents/kWh x 400kWh = $0.17 x 400 = $68.00
In this scenario, it would cost about $68 to recharge your car over the course of a month. Again, this is just a hypothetical scenario; costs will differ depending on several variables, including the ones discussed above.
Should I charge with a Level 1 or Level 2 charger at home?
If you’re able to charge your BEV or PHEV at home, there’s nothing simpler than plugging your car into your 120V outlet (the standard, grounded outlet for most North American homes) and letting those electrons run their course. Almost all BEVs and PHEVs come standard with a Level 1 charging cable.
PHEVs, with their relatively small battery packs, can typically recharge fully overnight using Level 1 charging. Therein lies the beauty of plug-in tech and you-already-have-it infrastructure.
2023 Mazda MX-30 European model shown. Limited availability only in California.
If, however, you have a BEV or see one in your automotive future, you may need to use Level 2 charging to charge your car’s larger battery pack. Level 2 charging uses a 240V source (or 208V in commercial applications) and charges your car more quickly. Newer homes may already have a 240V source in their garage, while in older homes 240V-capability is typically limited to the home’s laundry room. Homeowners may be able to install a Level 2 charger within their garage by working with an electrician and obtaining the proper permits.
You can learn more about different charging systems and how to set these up in our articles on EV Charging Levels: Differences & Benefits and How to Charge Your Electric Vehicle.
How to save when charging your EV at home
1. Charge at night
Electricity prices are based on supply and demand. During the day, when businesses are open and offices occupied, demand is usually up and electricity therefore typically costs more; whereas during the evening, when those same businesses and offices are closed, demand and rates tend to go down in most areas.
This works out for most electric vehicle owners, who are typically at home and asleep during these hours, making it the perfect time to charge your car. Many chargers can be programmed to charge during certain hours, so you don’t have to wait by the plug to get the lowest rates.
PHEV owners can reach a full recharge overnight in the right conditions. That means you can easily take full advantage of your vehicle’s all-electric mode first thing in the morning.
2. Ask your utility company about electric car rates and TOU plans
Since electric companies are formed to sell electricity, they have a vested interest in expanding the EV market; so many will incentivize rates for owners of electrified vehicles, offering discounts or promotions to keep them plugged in at home. These can take the form of:
● Reduced rates when recharging, specific to EV owners
● Time-of-use (TOU) plans (not exclusive to EV owners)
● Rebates attached to the installation of home charging equipment
Check with your local provider to establish which route to take to see if you can reduce your one-time outlay or monthly bottom line.
Electric car charging station costs
If you’re unable to charge at home, and will rely on commercial charging, there are many available options in this growing market. As with at-home charging, costs are reliant on a range of variables, including local electricity prices, government regulations, the provider, and more.
Costs aren’t always easy to determine. You typically need an app to reliably access the exact cost of charging your car at a public charging station, as prices can fluctuate day to day and hour to hour.
See options and the costs you’re likely to encounter below.
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Level 2 charging stations can add roughly 10-20 miles of range for every hour in which your EV is plugged in. To quickly and reliably establish costs, it's best to download an app or regularly perform internet searches, as prices can vary from day to day, hour to hour and station to station.
Depending on the provider, you may need to pay on a per-minute basis or a per-KWh basis. And depending on your location, you may need to pay sales tax. Some charging networks let station owners set prices, so pricing may vary from station to station, even if they share a provider.
Some charging stations let you pay with a credit card, but many allow you the option to pay via a charging network’s app or tap-to-charge with your mobile device.
A note on free level 2 charging: Free Level 2 charging stations are often found at shopping centers and have been installed to encourage EV owners to… well, shop! These stations typically set a voluntary limit to charging time, with the current recommendation being around two hours.
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DC fast charging is the fastest charging alternative available to EV owners (many PHEVs are not compatible with DC fast charging, however). It is also the most expensive, sometimes twice as expensive as the price you would pay at home. Pricing is dependent on the same variables as Level 2 charging but almost always costs more per kWh.
But if you need a quick recharge, DC fast charging can typically bring most EVs up to 80% capacity between 20 minutes and an hour,according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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Many charging stations will post guidelines and best practices for using their equipment, particularly regarding how long they recommend leaving your car plugged in. When prepping your car for a charge, check these guidelines for any incidental fees that could run up your bill. Some charging stations require parking fees. Others will charge a “lingering” or “idle” fees if you leave your car plugged in for too long. While charging your car at a public station, it’s best to keep a close eye on the time and the specified fees to avoid charges you weren’t expecting.
Charging your Mazda PHEVs
Learn more about the Mazda PHEV ownership experience
Whether it’s Mazda’s Le Mans-winning rotary engine or today’s family of Skyactiv® and e-Skyactiv® engines, Mazda has always strived to be at the forefront of adapting advanced technology.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV and CX-70 PHEV showcase Mazda's continuous pursuit of these technologies and our commitment to more sustainable, efficient, and thrilling driving experiences. Mazda's craftsmanship and state-of-the-art engineering are evident in every nuance of our PHEVs, designed to deliver an effortless, joyful driving experience every time.
With their all-electric capabilities and advanced hybrid powertrain, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and CX-70 PHEV are the perfect choice for drivers who want to reduce their driving emissions without sacrificing style or performance.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Information herein is subject to change without notice and without Mazda incurring any obligations. You acknowledge that we have no duty or obligation to maintain or update any such information and agree that your reliance on any such information is at your own risk.