Charging an electric car is much cheaper than refuelling a gas-powered vehicle. Typically, it costs between $6 & $20 to charge your car at home, while $10 to $30 at public charging stations.
Multiple factors affect the cost, such as the battery size, location, & electricity rates.
If you take advantage of the off-peak rates, you can save significantly by charging your Electric Vehicle (EV) at home.
Types of Home EV chargers
Charging your EV at home is generally the cheapest & most convenient way to power your car. You’ll normally find two types of chargers at home:
- Level 1 charger (Standard Outlet – 120V): For these home chargers, you don’t need to set up extra equipment, but charging is slow. It adds around 3-8 km (2-5 miles) of range per hour.
- Level 2 charger (240V): You’ll require a special home charger & the charging speed is much faster. It adds 30-50 km (20-30 miles) of range/hour.
EV Home Charging Cost Estimate (2025)
The cost to fully charge at home varies from $6 to $20. It really depends, and I say that considering the average electricity cost in North America, which ranges from $0.10 to $0.25 per kWh, & the typical EV battery size of 60-80 kWh.
However, there are extra costs involved for setting up the charging station at home. For example, a level 2 charger can cost from $700 to $7,500 (including the charger, electrical work, & permit).
The permit costs can go up to $200 if required, & the installation labor can add to the extra preliminary costs.
Related: Average cost to maintain a car
EV Charging Cost by Car Model (2025 Data)
EV charging costs can vary widely depending on your car’s battery size, charging efficiency, and driving habits. Below are estimated costs for a full home charge in 2025, based on the North American average residential electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh (≈ C$0.20 per kWh).
| EV Model | Battery Size | Est. Cost per Full Charge (USD) |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 57 kWh | ~$8.55 |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 Long Range | 77.4 kWh | ~$11.61 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended | 91 kWh | ~$13.65 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EUV | 65 kWh | ~$9.75 |
| Porsche Taycan 4S | 93.4 kWh | ~$14.01 |
Note: The U.S average residential electricity rate is about 17.47 cents per kWh.
EV Charging vs Gas Cost
A study from 2020 showed that EV drivers spend about 60 percent less each year on fuel costs compared to drivers with gas-powered cars. Roughly calculating for over a year, you save anywhere between $1,000 & $2,500 by going eco-friendly, depending on how much you drive your EV.
Here’s a quick cost per 100 miles comparison that shows a clear contrast between electric and gasoline vehicles.
| Vehicle Type | Energy Use | Fuel Price (USD) | Cost per 100 mi |
| Electric (EV) | 28 kWh | $0.15 kWh | ~$4.20 |
| Gas Car | 28 mpg | $3.16 per gal | ~$13.39 |
With average gasoline prices in Canada at C$1.48 per L, a gas car (8.4 L/100 km) costs around CAD 12.43 per 100 km. On the other hand, an EV using 17.5 kWh/100 km at Toronto rates (15.92 cents/kWh) costs just CAD 2.79 per 100 km.
This shows that it is significantly cheaper to charge your electric car than to fill it up with gas.
Use the fuel cost calculator to estimate fuel costs for your gas vehicle.
EV Charging Costs by Region (North America)
As you might’ve already guessed, the charging costs vary across North America, adding the factor of electricity rates. Here’s how they stack up in major cities:
| City / Region | Estimated Cost to Fully Charge a 60 kWh EV* |
| New York City (US) | $9.60 |
| Los Angeles (US) | $10.80 |
| Dallas (US) | $7.20 |
| Toronto (CAN) | $6.22 (Approx. C$8.40) |
| Vancouver (CAN) | $7.55 (Approx. C$10.20) |
| Montréal (CAN) | $4.88 (Approx. C$6.60) |
Key insights
- In Montréal, a full 60 kWh charge costs C$6.6, which is among the lowest in North America.
- Hydro-powered cities like Vancouver & Montréal offer the lowest costs that make EV ownership economical.
- Los Angeles tops the list for charging costs, reflecting both higher electricity rates in California & potentially higher network fees.
- The U.S. Midwest & Texas offer some of the lowest urban charging rates in the country, narrowing the cost gap with Canadian averages.
Resources: Hydro-Québec 2024, Electricity rates by State
Public Charging Stations Costs
Image: EV chargers at Green P Parking
Even if you don’t own an EV yet, you probably have seen EV charging stations in parking spots & wondered how much they cost.
Both slow & fast chargers at public charging spots give you flexibility while travelling. It can cost up to $2 per hour & more than $6 for overnight charging or fast chargers.
Some networks charge you by the minute, while others charge by kWh.
| Level 2 Chargers | Found at malls, workplaces, hotels | Free / $1-$2 per hour |
| DC Fast Chargers(Level 3) | Found on highways, rest stops | $0.30-$0.60 per kWh /$10-$30 per full charge |
My experience with public charging spots is that I have never spent more than $6 to charge my car for a few hours.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
It takes anywhere from a few hours to overnight to charge an electric car fully, depending on your battery size and type of charger.
| Charging Type | Speed | Time to Full Charge |
| Level 1 | 3-8 km/h (2-5 mi/h) | 24-48 hours |
| Level 2 | 30-50 km/h (20-30 mi/h) | 6-12 hours |
| Level 3 (DC fast) | 250-400 km/h (150-250 mi/h) | 30-60 minutes (80%) |
Can I Charge My Electric Car For Free?
Yes, you can charge your electric car for free in most public spaces. You’ll usually find Level 2 chargers at shopping centers, hotels, public libraries, municipal buildings, and some workplaces.
Although we do not recommend that you always rely on them because they may not be available & they have time limits.
Frequently Asked Questions: EV Charging Costs
Can I get a free EV home charger?
It’s unlikely that you can get a free EV home charger. Some regions offer rebates, promotions, & incentives that significantly reduce the cost.
Take Ford, for example. The company offers a free EV home charger along with no installation cost when you buy or lease a new Ford EV.
Is it cheaper to charge at home than at a station?
Yes, it is 2 to 3 times cheaper on average to charge your electric car at home than to charge at a fast public charging station.
Can I charge my EV with a regular outlet?
Yes, you can use a regular outlet that’s readily available at home to charge your electric vehicle, but the charging speed is slow, taking up to 48 hours to fully charge.
How long does a charge last on an electric vehicle?
If you’re an average person who drives not more than 60 km/day, you can enjoy a whole week with a single charge. Newer EV models can last up to 800 km or sometimes more.
Is it better to charge my electric car to 80%?
We generally recommend charging your EV to 80 percent rather than 100 percent for optimal battery health. That may come as a shock (no pun intended) to a lot of people, but experts suggest keeping the charge between 80 to 90 percent.
It has proven to preserve battery capacity & extend its lifespan. After 80 percent, the charging speed slows down, making it less cost-effective.
Final Thoughts
I’ve heard this from many of our customers who own an electric car that they are happy with charging at home. You might incur upfront costs for installation & extra equipment, but you could potentially save thousands on fuel. It comes down to making a financially sound decision & thinking long-term.
