Does A Vehicle Charging Station Increase Your Electric Bill?
With climate change being a real concern, many people have opted in to buying an electric car. An electric car doesn’t emit as many fumes as a car that needs fuel to drive, but it does require a vehicle charging station. One of the factors to consider is the price of your electric bill if you’re using an at-home vehicle charging station. Although the number of public charging stations is increasing across the United States, statistically, most electric car owners do the majority of their charging at home.
If you’re thinking about buying an electric car then we’re here to help you learn more about the pros and cons. Let’s break down what you can expect with a vehicle charging station at home, as well as some of the benefits of owning an electric car.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge Your Electric Car at Home?
The cost of charging your electric vehicle at home depends on a number of factors.
These different factors include:
- How often you need to charge your vehicle
- The cost of electricity in your area
- How much power your electric car uses
How often your electric vehicle needs to be charged depends on how far and how often you plan on driving it. The average person in the U.S. drives 15,000 miles in a year and the average cost of electricity is 12 cents per kWh. Taking those numbers into consideration, it will cost the average person $45 per month in electricity to charge their electric vehicle at home. This results in major cost savings compared to a gas-powered vehicle that would cost approximately $120 per month.
The Benefits of Buying An Electric Vehicle
Although getting an at-home vehicle charging station will increase your electricity bill, there are many benefits to buying an electric vehicle.
Energy Efficient
Since fully electric vehicles run on electricity instead of gas, these vehicles are a lot more energy efficient. Compared to gas-powered cars that only convert around 12%-30% of energy from gas, electric vehicles convert 77% of energy that powers them.
Lower Carbon Emissions
Electric vehicles don’t release direct emissions like gas-powered cars do. Long-term, this makes them more environmentally friendly compared to traditional vehicles. Although the electricity used to charge them does release carbon emissions, it depends if the power plants make use of fossil fuels or not. Many cities in the U.S. offer solar-powered vehicle charging stations which are very environmentally friendly.
Cost Savings
The cost savings for owning an electric vehicle compared to a gas-powered vehicle is both the short-term savings and long-term.
The short-term savings are that it is less expensive to power your vehicle with electricity compared to gas. The long-term savings are that it costs less to maintain your electric vehicle. Electric cars have a regenerative braking system that tends to last much longer than traditional vehicles brake systems. Electrical car batteries also have a much longer lifespan and there is no such thing as an oil change.
Quiet Performance
Because an electric vehicle doesn’t have an engine, the car itself is incredibly quiet. This makes it a much more popular vehicle choice for quiet neighborhoods.
Installing A Vehicle Charging Station at Home
The average American that owns an electric vehicle does 80% of its charging at home. This makes it essential to install a vehicle charging station at home. To plug your car in at home, you will need either a level 1 or level 2 charging station. A level 1 charging station allows EV owners to plug their car into a standard outlet.
A level 2 charging station for your home requires a professional electrician to install but increases the miles of range per hour for your car. This makes it much more energy efficient over the long-term as it takes less time to charge your car. This comes with a fee upfront and an installation fee but will save you less in the long run.
Ask Art for Your At-Home Vehicle Charging Station
There are many benefits of investing in an electric vehicle. To make sure your at-home vehicle charging station is installed properly, look no further than Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric. We’ll make sure you’re charging your car in the most efficient way possible. Give Art a call today to discuss your vehicle charging station and installation needs.
