Electric cars have become more prevalent in recent times as the price of gas increases and the fight against air pollution continues. After studying EVs, I can boldly state that charging an electric car is cheaper than fueling a gasoline-powered vehicle.
However, the big question is, “How much does an electric car charger increase electric bill?” Typically, you should consider spending around $30 – $60 monthly, as the case may be.
Nevertheless, you will find some valuable information about the cost of charging an electric car, especially a Tesla, and how many amps the EV draws as you charge.
How Much Does an Electric Car Charger Increase Electric Bill?
Do electric cars increase your electric bill? Absolutely! An electric car charger increases your home electricity bill by $30 – $60 monthly. However, this amount may not necessarily increase your expenses compared to driving a gas-powered vehicle.
In other words, what you would have spent buying gas is now converted to paying for the extra monthly electric cost incurred by charging your EV. Nonetheless, fueling a car powered by an internal combustion engine is almost 3 times the cost of charging an electric vehicle.
For instance, if you drive a Compact Sedan, you will pay about $0.05 per mile to charge the EV compared to the sum of $0.14 required to fuel your gasoline-powered vehicle to cover the same distance.
However, it is vital to note that the size of your EV’s battery and your driving style determine how much you will spend charging the car per month.
How Much Does Tesla Increase Electric Bill?
If you’re asking, “How much does Tesla increase electric bill? Generally, the average cost of charging all Tesla models is around 4.56 cents per mile. Therefore, your Tesla may increase your monthly electric bill by around $50.
If you drive a Model X with a battery capacity of 100 KWh and a charging efficiency of around 85%, you will have to spend $15.29 for a full charge, based on the $0.15 KWh average electricity cost in the United States.
With respect to the 351 miles range of the 2023 Model X, the EV’s cost per mile will amount to $0.044 and $4.40 per 100 miles, respectively.
Meanwhile, it is crucial to state that the kind of charger in use, the car’s features, the electricity cost in your city, and the extent to which you’re charging the battery are factors that impact your Tesla home charging electric bill.
What’s The Standard Cost to Charge an Electric Car?
You will spend about $56.48 per month charging your EV if you drive 1,058 miles, which is around 353 KWh in a month, based on the 16 cents per KWh United States household average from October 2022. This will amount to about $677.76 a year.
Nevertheless, this cannot be compared to the cost of keeping a gasoline engine-powered vehicle on the road. Regular car owners in the U.S. spend an average of $179 in fueling their vehicles monthly.
In other words, although EVs are usually costlier to acquire, an electric car running cost is generally cheaper than gasoline-powered vehicles. Nevertheless, it doesn’t change the fact that electric and regular gasoline vehicles have pros and cons.
How Many Amps Does An EV Charger Draw?
Most electric cars can draw around 32 amps per hour, adding 25 miles of range per hour as you charge. However, this charging outcome depends on the EV model and the type of charger you use.
Tesla chargers are built to draw around 15 – 300 amps, depending on the Tesla EV model and the charger type. Usually, the higher end of the estimate is at commercial charging points designed to provide relatively higher power output, while the lower end is familiar with home chargers.
The rule of thumb is the higher the amperage, the faster your electric vehicle will charge and vice versa. However, ensure to stick to the recommended charger for your EV to avoid any challenges.
Is It Cheaper To Charge An Electric Car At Home?
Yes. It is cheaper to charge your electric car at home than at a commercial charging station. However, this exercise will boost your monthly electricity bill by a few bucks. Nonetheless, the additional charging cost is fair because you would have spent the same or even more fueling a gasoline car if you own one instead.
Most electric car owners recharge more than 70% at home or work, while they augment for any necessary recharge at a commercial charging point.
It is important to note that charging your EV at home will take longer than a commercial charging point because most home chargers have lower amperage.
However, if you don’t have any trip that necessitates using a commercial station, patiently utilize your home charger. Meanwhile, find out what it takes to install a home EV charger if you’re yet to have one.
Typically, a Level 2 EV home charger can cost around $1,000 – $3,000. This can be an extra cost after acquiring your EV; otherwise, you may consider using a commercial charging station for now.
Conclusion
Now that you’re aware, you may not need to ask, “How much does an electric car charger increase electric bill?” However, there’s another big question – Would you prefer to incur the cost of fueling a gasoline-powered vehicle regularly or pay the additional bill for your electric car?
The major cost challenge for owning an electric car is the cost of acquisition. However, running an electric car costs nothing compared to fueling an internal combustion engine-powered vehicle regularly.
Therefore, it is okay to go for an EV if you’re considering buying your first car or acquiring a new one even if you will eventually increase your electric bill with an electric car.