Not all electricity costs the same
What you pay to charge can vary by 300% or more. It depends on when and where you plug in. Getting this right can save you a lot.
Types of electricity pricing
Flat rate
Same price all day. Simple, but often not the cheapest if you can be flexible.
Time-of-use
Different prices at different times:
- Off-peak: Nights and weekends. This is the cheap stuff.
- Peak: Weekday evenings. Costs the most.
- Shoulder: Everything in between.
EV-specific tariffs
Some providers have special rates for EV owners with really cheap overnight charging. Worth asking about.
Dynamic pricing
Price changes hourly based on the market. Can be super cheap or surprisingly expensive.
Where you charge matters
At home (cheapest)
- You control when you charge
- No extra fees
- Can charge overnight when it's cheap
- US average: around $0.18/kWh (varies by state from $0.10 to $0.35+)
- EU average: around €0.29/kWh (varies widely by country)
At work
- Often free or subsidized
- Check what your employer offers
Public slow chargers
- Shopping centers, parking lots
- Middle of the road pricing
- US: typically $0.25-0.40/kWh
- EU: typically €0.35-0.55/kWh
DC fast chargers (most expensive)
- Great for road trips
- You pay for the convenience
- US average: around $0.35-0.40/kWh (some networks charge more)
- UK: 50-75p/kWh depending on network and speed
- EU: €0.50-0.80/kWh is common
How to save the most
1. Charge at home overnight: Set it to start when rates drop
2. Look for EV tariffs: Could cut charging costs 30-50%
3. Use fast chargers only when you need to: They're expensive
4. Grab free charging when you can: Work, some stores, etc.
Know your actual costs
Use the calculator with your real electricity rate. Don't just use the number on the brochure. Factor in when you actually charge.
Bottom line
Even paying top rates, EVs usually cost less per kilometer or mile than petrol. But being smart about charging can double your savings.