How Much Do Electric Charging Stations Cost?  

If you’re looking to break free of the time and cost of visiting gas stations around Orange County, California, the dealers at Beach Boulevard of Cars in Huntington Beach are excited to help with their large inventory of electric vehicles. They offer emission-free engines during use, but they’re friendlier to your pocketbook with lower running costs because they lack oil changes and multi-speed transmission and rely on plugging in to power up. It is a different offset for electric vehicle (EV) expenses. You still have wipers, tires, and insurance, which are costs you can’t escape no matter what drives the machine.

What cost is-Home Charging at Level 1?

Charging at home is by far the most convenient and least expensive way to charge your battery, often costing less than buying gas for an internal-combustion car. However, this Charging type is also the slowest and can take 11 to 20 hours for a full charge because it depends on a standard 120-volt outlet. It requires no special installation and works well if you use your vehicle for short in-town errands.

To calculate the cost of charging your battery from zero to full, multiply the total battery capacity, which is expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh), by your electrical rate. According to the California Air Resource Board, this cost varies by location but averages about 18 cents per kWh in California. For example, Level 1 charging for the 40-kWh battery of the 2023 Nissan LEAF® costs $7.20 when you multiply 40 kWh by 18 cents.

You can reduce your cost even more by scheduling the charge when electrical rates are at their lowest, typically from 1 AM – 4 PM and 9 PM – 8 AM.

What cost is for Level 2 Charging?

Level 2 charging demands a dedicated 240-volt or 208-volt electrical circuit so that it can power up a battery faster in just 3 to 8 hours. This outcome is the typical level of a public charging station or device installed at your home. The higher voltage of Level 2 charging costs more, at about 30 cents per kWh, which means that the 70-kWh battery of a 2023 Ford Mach-E costs $21 to reach total capacity.

Adding a Level 2 charging device to your garage costs around $2,000 for parts and labor. However, many states, municipalities, and utility companies grant incentives to lower the cost of home charger installation. For example, the Residential EV Charging Incentive Program of the South Coast Air Quality Management District offers up to $500 toward the cost of a home charger installation.

How much for DC Fast Charging?

DC Fast Charging blazes through battery charging with a 480-volt connection but is only available at public stations in heavy traffic corridors, such as shopping malls, and is unsuitable for all EVs. This type of Charging can fill up a battery to 80 percent in 20 minutes to an hour but is the priciest at 40 cents per kWh. Charging the 58-kWh battery of the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 to 80 percent can cost over $18.50.

Where to Find Public Charging Stations?

If a brand offers complimentary or subscription-based public Charging, their dealers can give you a list of those stations. Otherwise, you can look for such chargers using desktop or mobile apps like PlugShare, which encourages you to search by location and reveals details of each charger.