Regan Brown
Electric cars are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional gas-powered vehicles. With no need to visit a gas station, electric car owners can enjoy the convenience of charging their vehicles at home, work, or at public charging stations. Electric cars are also more cost-effective, with a 2020 study showing that EV drivers spend about 60% less on fuel each year compared to drivers of gas-powered cars. In this guide, we will explore the different methods of fuelling an electric car, the costs involved, and how to locate charging stations in your area. We will also compare the benefits of charging at home versus using public charging stations, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to charge your electric vehicle safely and efficiently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fueling an electric car at a charging station | Not very different from fueling a gas car |
| Filling up an electric car at home | Simple, cost-effective, and convenient |
| Charging time | Depends on the charging equipment and the size of the vehicle's battery and its available charging capacity |
| Charging equipment | Onboard charger, power electronics controller, thermal system (cooling), traction battery pack |
| Cost of fueling an electric car | Lower than fueling a gas-powered vehicle |
| Efficiency | Depends on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity it consumes per 100 miles |
| Electricity costs | Vary by region, time of day, and charging speed |
| Public charging stations | More expensive than charging at home |
| Range | Most EV models go above 200 miles on a fully-charged battery |
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What You'll Learn
Charging at home
Charging an electric car at home is simple, cost-effective, and convenient. All electric cars come with a cable that can be plugged into a standard wall outlet, so you can charge your car at home with no additional equipment installation required. This is known as Level 1 charging, which works well when you have sufficient time to charge, such as overnight. Level 1 charging is ideal for plug-in hybrid electric cars with smaller batteries, but it can also be sufficient for some battery-electric car owners, depending on their daily range needs and the length of time they are parked and charging. Level 1 charging adds about 3.5 to 6.5 miles of driving range per hour of charging time.
Charging your car at home will cause your electricity bill to rise, and the amount it increases will depend on factors such as when you charge it and where you live. Electricity costs, like gas prices, can vary significantly by region. However, charging your car overnight when electricity demand and prices are lower can save you up to 30% on that charge. Many electric utilities offer lower electricity rates for charging during off-peak hours, and many EVs can be programmed to automatically charge during those hours when rates are low.
Level 2 charging is considerably faster but requires installing a charging station, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). This type of charging station requires a dedicated 240-volt or 208-volt electrical circuit, similar to what is required for a clothes dryer or electric range. Level 2 charging is found at many public and workplace charging stations and is also installed in many homes. Depending on battery type, charger configuration, and circuit capacity, Level 2 charging adds about 14 to 35 miles of range per hour of charging time.
DC fast charging, also known as Level 3 charging, provides the fastest available fill-up. However, it requires a 480-volt connection, making it unsuitable for home use, and not every electric car model is equipped for it. These charging stations are typically found in shopping centres and along major travel corridors.
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Public charging stations
There are three levels of charging at public stations. Level 1 works well when you have sufficient time to charge, adding about 3.5–6.5 miles of range per hour of charging time. Level 2 is considerably faster, adding about 14–35 miles of range per hour of charging time, but it requires installing a charging station. Level 2 is found at many public and workplace charging stations and in many homes. Level 3, or DC fast charging, is the fastest option, but it is unsuitable for home use, and not all electric car models are equipped for it. Level 3 stations are often found in shopping centres and along major travel corridors.
To use a public charging station, you will need to pay by card, either before or after charging. You will then need to connect the charging cable to your car. All electric cars come with a cable that can be plugged into a standard wall outlet, and Level 1 and 2 chargers use the same standard connector. However, Level 3 chargers have different connector types, including CHAdeMO, Combined Charging System (Combo or CCS), or Tesla connector systems.
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Cost of charging
The cost of charging an electric vehicle (EV) depends on several factors, including the type of charger, the location, and the electricity rates in your region.
Charging at Home
Charging an EV at home is generally the most cost-effective option. The cost will depend on your local electricity rates, which can vary significantly by region. In the US, the average cost of electricity is around 15.95 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), but this can range from as low as 3 cents/kWh to 60 cents/kWh in different states. In the UK, the average cost of electricity is about 24.5p per kWh.
To calculate the cost of charging your EV at home, you can divide the number of kWh you used by the total cost on your electric bill. This will give you the price you paid per kWh. Then, multiply this by the number of kWh your EV battery can store. For example, if you have a 70kWh battery and pay 15.95 cents per kWh, your cost to charge would be around $11.17 (USD).
Public Charging Stations
Charging your EV at a public charging station is typically more expensive than charging at home. Public charging stations often have fees that are higher than home charging rates. In the US, public charging stations may charge around 50 cents per kWh, which is significantly higher than the average household electricity rate. In the UK, the average cost of public charging is about 48p per kWh, compared to 32p per kWh for home charging.
Workplace Charging
Some employers offer free or reduced-price EV charging as an employee incentive. Charging at work can be a convenient and cost-effective option for EV owners who have access to workplace charging points.
Rapid Charging
Rapid chargers offer faster charging speeds, which can be useful for EV drivers who need to recharge quickly during a long journey. However, these chargers often come with higher prices. In the UK, rapid charging points typically cost around £19 for a 30-minute, 90-mile charge.
Cost Comparison with Gasoline Vehicles
Overall, the cost of charging an EV is typically lower than the cost of fueling a gasoline vehicle. The savings from charging at home can offset any higher costs incurred during occasional road trips or public charging. Additionally, EV maintenance costs are generally lower than those of gasoline vehicles.
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Hydrogen fueling
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are powered by an electric motor, but instead of a large, heavy battery, they have a fuel-cell stack. In this stack, pure hydrogen passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water vapour. This makes them a type of hybrid vehicle.
Filling up an HFCV at a hydrogen fuelling station is very similar to fuelling a standard car with gas. The nozzle and hose at a hydrogen pump are different from those at a gas pump, but the overall process is the same. Hydrogen fuelling stations are often located at existing gas stations. Filling up a hydrogen-powered car takes around 3 to 5 minutes and the vehicle can typically go 300 miles or more on a full tank.
There are very few hydrogen-powered cars on the roads, and as of mid-2022, all of them are in California, the only state with a network of retail hydrogen fuelling stations. The limited number of fuelling stations means that, unlike electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars cannot be refuelled at home. The Toyota Mirai, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, and the Hyundai Nexo SUV are the only hydrogen-powered cars to have been offered for sale. However, Honda has now ended production of the Clarity, and Hyundai has sold very few Nexos.
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Charging times
The time it takes to charge an electric car varies from 30 minutes to 12 hours or more. This depends on several factors, including the size of the battery, the speed of the charging point, the state of the battery, the max charging rate of the vehicle, and the max charging rate of the charge point.
A typical electric car (60kWh battery) takes just under 8 hours to charge from empty-to-full with a 7kW charging point. However, most drivers opt for a top-up charge rather than waiting for their battery to recharge from empty-to-full. Top-up charging, combined with overnight charging at home, is an effective way to keep your electric car ready to go.
The range per hour varies depending on how efficient your car is. Small full battery electric cars (e.g., Renault Zoe) are the most efficient, getting 30 miles of range per hour charging at 7kW. In contrast, the biggest full battery electric cars (e.g., Audi e-tron Quattro) are heavier and get around 20 miles of range per hour at 7kW.
Charging speed is also influenced by environmental factors like temperature. Electric cars are more efficient and get slightly better range per hour in summer than in winter. Additionally, the charging speed slows as the battery gets closer to full to prevent damage to the battery.
Different types of chargers, such as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (DC fast chargers), offer varying charging speeds. Level 1 chargers can take 40-50+ hours to charge a BEV to 80% from empty, while Level 2 chargers can do the same in 4-10 hours. Level 3 chargers, or DC fast chargers, can charge a BEV to 80% in just 20 minutes to 1 hour. However, it's important to note that not all vehicles are compatible with DC fast chargers, and heavy use of DC charging can degrade battery health over time.
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Frequently asked questions
All electric cars come with a cable that can be plugged into a standard wall outlet. You can also use charging stations, which are increasingly available in communities nationwide.
The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on the charging equipment and the size of the car’s battery and its available charging capacity. Level 1 charging adds about 3.5–6.5 miles of driving range per hour of charging time. Level 2 charging is considerably faster but requires installing a charging station. DC fast charging (Level 3) provides the fastest available fill-up but is unsuitable for home use.
The cost of charging an electric car depends on various factors, such as the electricity rates in your region and the time of day you charge your vehicle. Charging your car at home will cause your electricity bill to rise, but you can save money by charging during off-peak hours when rates are lower. Public charging stations tend to be more expensive than charging at home, but they offer faster, higher-voltage charging.
Yes, charging an electric car at home is simple, cost-effective, and convenient. You can charge your car while you sleep, and you may also be able to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours.
