As more homeowners switch to electric vehicles (EVs), one of the most common questions is: “Will charging at home cause my electric bill to skyrocket?” The short answer is: it depends on your driving habits, your local utility rates, and whether you take advantage of smart charging strategies. Let’s break it down.
How Much Energy Does an EV Use?
On average, an EV consumes roughly about 30 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles driven. To put that in perspective:
If you drive 1,000 miles per month, your EV will use roughly 300 kWh.
At a U.S. average rate of $0.16 per kWh, that equals about $48 per month in added electricity costs.
Your exact costs will vary depending on your utility’s rates and whether you live in a high-cost area like California or a lower-cost region.
Comparing EV Charging to Gasoline Costs
Even if your electric bill goes up, it’s important to compare it to what you would have spent on gas:
Driving 1,000 miles in a gas car that averages 25 MPG at $4 per gallon costs about $160 in fuel.
The same distance in an EV at $0.16 per kWh costs around $48.
That’s a savings of over $100 per month in this example—even though your electric bill increases.
Ways to Keep Your Electric Bill Lower
Charging at home doesn’t have to mean a huge spike in your bill. Here are some smart charging strategies to consider:
1. Take Advantage of Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates
Many utilities offer discounted rates for charging at night when demand is low. Charging between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. could cut your costs by 30–50%.
2. Install a Home Solar System
Pairing EV charging with solar panels can significantly reduce or even eliminate the added electricity cost. If your panels generate excess daytime energy, you can offset the power used to charge your EV at night (dependent upon your utilities Net Energy Metering program details).
3. Use Smart Charging Features
Most EVs and chargers let you schedule charging sessions. You can program your car to automatically start charging when utility rates are cheapest.
The Bottom Line
Yes, charging your EV at home will increase your electric bill—but typically by less than what you’d otherwise spend on gas. For most drivers, the trade-off is a higher utility bill in exchange for much lower overall transportation costs. And with smart charging habits or solar, you can minimize—or even erase—that extra expense.
Contact Sunlux today to discuss your EV Charging needs and whether solar can help offset the increase in energy usage from charging your EV at home. Call us at 877-467-6712 or visit our website at www.sunlux.com