Fuel like petrol and diesel are becoming increasingly scarce daily due to their consumption, raising prices. In addition to burning petrol and diesel to run cars cause a lot of air pollution, electric vehicles are the next obvious step forward.
This is why automotive companies worldwide are focusing on developing more electric vehicles for a greener future. Recent developments regarding this have allowed more electric cars and bikes to be released in the last few years, slowly changing the global automotive landscape.
However, unlike fuel cars, electric cars must run on electricity stored in their batteries. Therefore, instead of refueling your vehicle in under a minute, you might now have to wait hours to charge your vehicle battery fully.
Therefore, when you are on the move, traveling between cities, you might have to stop at charging stations for an hour before resuming your journey. This is why people are interested to know how much does it cost to charge an electric car before switching to an EV.
If you have this question, you are in the right place. Read this post to learn more about EV charging costs and how much time they take.
How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car?
Understanding how much does it cost to charge an electric car is difficult because of various reasons. Some of the reasons why costs will variate are:
1. Type Of Charger
Regarding EV charging stations, there are different kinds of chargers. Some stations will have regular chargers that are available in most stations. On the other hand, some stations will be fast charging stations with better chargers.
Here, EV charging costs will depend on the charger used. Stations with better chargers will charge extra for charging your car faster. The vice versa also remains to be true.
Therefore, in this regard, the car battery’s strength plays a significant role in dictating EV charging costs. The different levels of EV chargers are:
- Level 1: These are the slowest chargers you can get at charging stations. These chargers will take around 15 hours to charge most EVs fully. These chargers will cost between $3 to $5 per hour charged.
- Level 2: These second-grade chargers are slightly better than Level 1’s. These chargers will take around 8 hours maximum for your average EV. The chargers will cost between $8 to $12 per hour charged.
- Level 3: These are the fastest chargers, available only at the biggest charging stations. These will charge your EV in under 2 to 3 hours. These chargers will cost around $20 to $30 per hour charged.
2. Car Battery Percentage
When you enter the charging station, how much battery you have left determines your charging cost. This is a no-brainer because the same logic also applies to fueling stations.
3. Commercial And Residential Electricity Costs
One of the primary factors that determine your charging costs is the place where you charge it from. Since most RVs can be charged from your home, doing so is the cheapest option that is available to you.
On the other hand, charging your EV from public charging stations will cost significantly more. Therefore, it’s best to get your EV charged to full at home as much as possible.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery?
If you are wondering how to charge a car battery, then it’s very easy. All you need to do is plug in one end of the charger to the car and the other to your power source.
But have you ever wondered how long it takes to charge car battery?
This answer is dependent on two factors:
1. Strength Of Charger
Again, as I have mentioned before, the type of charger and its strength play a significant role here. The better the charger is, the faster it will charge up your EV.
Level 1 chargers will charge your EV the slowest, taking up to 12 hours for a full charge. On the other hand, Level 2 chargers will charge your EV the fastest, taking only 2 to 3 hours.
2. Total Battery Capacity Of The EV
The total amount of charge that your battery can store also dictates your charging time. If your EV battery can store enough charge to last 200 miles on the road, it will take more time than an EV, letting you travel to a maximum of 100 miles at full charge.
How Can I Save Money While Charging An Electric Car?
How much does it cost to charge an electric car can be reduced significantly if you take the proper steps. But what are the right steps?
The best method of saving your hard-earned money as much as possible is by charging your EV at home. Residential electricity costs are significantly lower than at commercial places, which might charge three times more.
Therefore, try to charge your EV as much as possible before setting off from your house.
Then, later in your trip, make pit stops at any motel or hotel you can find. This is because these places will provide you with electricity ports. If you are smart enough to carry your charger and cables, you can simply plug them in and charge your EV!
Charging your EV at commercial charging stations should be your last option since they cost the most out of all the available options.
Faster Charge, More Costs
If you are wondering how much does it cost to charge an electric car, then know that the prices differ. The costs depend on where you are charging from, what charger you used, and how much you have charged.
However, it’s best to charge it at home or from hotels and motels with charging points. Commercial charging stations cost the most. Therefore, whenever you leave your house, get your EV charged to full and don’t forget to carry your charger with you at all times!
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