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How much does public electric car charging cost?
If I buy an electric car, will it cost me more to use a charging station than it would to fill up my current gas-powered car? It doesn’t really make sense for me to switch to an electric vehicle if it costs me more to drive it everywhere.
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Most public electric car chargers aren’t free—except for a few. Charger types are labeled based on how rapidly they’ll charge your electric car, ranging from Level 1 to
Level 3
. For a small vehicle, using a public charging station could cost between $10-15, while for a larger vehicle using the same Level 1 charger, it could be $40-$50. Most charging stations have a rate of $.30-$.60/KWh—meaning you’re being charged based on how much energy is being delivered to your electric car over time. Level 3 chargers are the fastest, but can also degrade your battery quickly if used too often. The middle path that many EV drivers are taking is to have a
Level 2 charger installed at home
. Level 2 chargers are quicker than Level 1 and less harmful to your
electric car’s battery life
than a Level 3. Installing a home charger won’t help you charge back up while on a road trip, but if you’re using your electric vehicle primarily as a commuter car, then leaving it on the charger for the night will be more efficient (and quicker) with a home Level 2 charger available. Level 2 chargers help you get back on the road in a flash—but not as quickly as
Jerry
can help you track down the best car insurance policies. As a licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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