Electric cars have received a lot of attention over the past few years, with more and more people looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and save money. One of the most significant questions you may have when considering an electric car is, “How much does it cost to charge?” Knowing the answer to this question will give you an idea of how much money you need to budget for charging, as well as how much you can expect to save compared to driving a gas-powered vehicle.

First, let’s start with the basic concept of charging an electric car. The cost of electricity varies depending on your location and the time of day you charge your vehicle, much like how gas prices fluctuate. Your car’s battery is charged with electricity from an outlet, which is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The cost of electricity is generally measured in cents per kWh or dollars per kWh.

Now, let’s break down the costs of charging your electric vehicle. This will, of course, vary depending on many factors.

1. Cost of Electricity: As mentioned earlier, the cost of electricity varies depending on your location and time of day. Overall, charging an electric car costs between 10 and 30 cents per kWh, but the average assumes electricity at 20 cents per kWh. Therefore, if an electric car has a 60-kWh battery, it would cost between $6 and $18 to fully charge. Looking at the monthly cost of charging an electric car, assuming you charge every night, you are looking at a bill of $36-$108.

2. Battery Capacity: The battery capacity of your electric car will also impact charging costs. Larger batteries will take longer to charge and will be more expensive to top off.

3. Charger Type: The type of charger used to charge your electric car will also affect the cost. Level 1 charging is done through a standard household outlet at a rate of about 3-5 miles per hour. Level 2 charging is done through a specialized home charging station at a rate of about 15-25 miles per hour. Level 3 (also known as DC fast charging) is done at public charging stations and can charge the car up to 80% in around 30 minutes. Level 3 charging is the most expensive as these public charging stations are more expensive to use.

4. Cost of Installation: If you want to install a Level 2 charger in your home, the cost will vary depending on your location and electrical system. The installation cost will be additional to the cost of the charger but estimates are in the $500 to $2,500 range.

Another thing to note is that many electric vehicles come with their own charging station, which means you don’t have to go out and buy one. This is a significant cost saver as charging stations can be expensive, especially if you don’t use one frequently.

Overall, charging an electric car is much cheaper than filling up a gas-powered car, but it’s important to keep in mind the factors that can influence charging costs. While it varies, on average, it costs between $6 and $18 to fully charge an electric car. That being said, cost savings from an electric car are not just in charging. You can save on maintenance too. Unlike a gas-powered vehicle, there is no oil change, transmission repair, or exhaust system maintenance that you need to worry about. While you may need to replace the battery at some point, it would likely be after thousands and thousands of miles and not for the first ten years.