Home EV Chargers and Their Changes to Your Electric Bill

Car purchasing time is often very stressful: new vehicle, new payment plan, and new insurance coverage. The choices are incredible: sedan, truck, SUV, economy, luxury, or utility, domestic or foreign. Most of these options are also available as electric vehicles (EVs) or internal combustion engines (ICE), so deciding on a vehicle just got more complicated.

Perhaps you are considering the purchase of an EV with a home EV charger but have very little information about such a purchase. While there are tremendous amounts of information from various sources, here is a bit more from an electrician source.

Cost of Maintenance of Home EV Chargers

Okay, this is a little out of the ordinary, but be patient. As you might know, there are three types of Home EV Chargers.

• Level One charging comes free with the vehicle, so the only cost of consistent Level One charging is the electricity required for charging. The charging cable uses a normal electrical outlet. However, a complete charge may take as long as 24 hours.
• Level Two charging uses an advanced charging station, usually installed in a residential garage. Charging with a Level Two charger takes only a few hours. Consider the cost of a home EV charger and installation in your decision. The charging station may require an upgrade to your electrical service panel.
• Level Three charging is usually completed at a commercial charging station. No equipment or installation is required; a complete charge can be accomplished in approximately 30 minutes. However, expect to pay $10 to $30 per charge.
• There is evidence that Level Three charging decreases the battery life of EVs; consider utilizing Level Three charging as needed, but it should not be for everyday use.
• EV batteries should neither be drained completely nor charged completely. For the length of life, it is best to charge the batteries in the 80 to 90% range.

Cost of Charging

In determining the daily, monthly, and annual costs for charging, a little math is involved. It is not difficult but takes several steps. Locations and vehicle types will be the variables in the formula.

• The average EV will require .32 kWh/mile for charging.
• The average driver drives 13,500 miles/year or 1,125 miles/month.
• In Houston, electricity is sold by kWh; the current average cost is $.13/kWh. So, the formulas look something like this:

13,500 miles/year x .32 kWh/mile x $.13/kWh = $561/year

1,125 miles/year x .32 kWh/mile x $.13/kWh = $46/month, or about $1.60/day

Now, adjust the formula by plugging in the variables for your EV (kWh/mile), your average miles/year, and your local cost/kWh.

Putting it All Together

The cost of maintenance extends beyond those described above. An ICE requires the maintenance of an engine, transmission, and radiators that are not required for EVs. However, both require maintenance of tires, brakes, and windshields.

The cost of a Level Two EV charger can be factored into your formulas.

A comparison of the fuel cost for an ICE and the charging cost for EVs is substantial. To determine fuel costs for an ICE, determine the miles per gallon for your preferred vehicle. We will use 30 mpg for our formulas.

• 13,500 miles / 30 mpg = 450 gallons    450 gallons x $3.50 = $1575 /year
• 1,125 miles / 30 mpg = 37.5 gallons    37.5 gallons x $3.50 = $131.25 /month, or about $4.38/day

Plug in your variables to make them specific for your location and vehicle.

This information should accompany information from other sources, such as vehicle costs and vehicle maintenance. Together, the information will help you make a decision that matches your life situation.

Have Questions About Home EV Chargers Installation?

With our four decades of experience as a Residential Electrician Contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to help answer your Home EV Chargers installation questions.

We have financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call our teams of Electricians at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your electrical repair, Whole Home Generator installation, and electrical installation needs.