The constant rise of gas and other fuel types may have you ready to switch to that electric car. With inflation hitting the economy and supply markets in all industries, you need to find the best ways to reduce costs. Before you make the switch, you need to know the difference between the cost to charge an electric vehicle being charged regularly compared to the traditional gas-powered one in your garage.
Fuel Costs of a Gas Powered Vehicle
The costs for a fuel-powered vehicle are taken at the pump when you fill it with gas or diesel, depending on the car. This means that you already have an extra utility expense unrelated to your home. With the average fuel tank holding between 12 and 15 gallons of gas, and gas averaging approximately $6.00/ gallon in some areas, you are looking at $72.00 to $90.00 to fill up your tank each time. Depending on how many tanks you need to fill up for the month, you would multiply that number to get a monthly estimate on fuel costs.
Charging Costs of an Electric Vehicle
Using electricity in your electric vehicle is not free. If your home is powered by your local electrical company 100%, you will pay for this power, just in your electricity bill. Based on past data from Kelly Blue Book, it takes about 394 kWh to charge an electric vehicle for a month. With an average cost of $.20 in some places, you will see approximately an $80.00 difference on your energy bill each month.
If you drive your EV a little more some months than others, you can expect it to add about $20 more to your bill for the month, but it will not be the equivalent of the second tank of gas.
So, Can it be Cheaper?
Based on traditional energy power compared to gas prices at the pump, the charging costs of an electric vehicle are still cheaper than conventional fuel. There is a way that you could make your costs even less. If your home is already on solar energy, even if it is partial, you can use that energy that is generated specifically for vehicle charging.
If you are not pulling any energy from the grid to charge your vehicle, you are not using energy. This means that your fuel cost is essential at $0 each month. Even if you do use some power from the grid to cover the costs of your EV charging, this could cut the cost above in half, making it even more attractive to make the switch.
Let Solar Show You How Much It Can Save
If you are considering an Electric Vehicle and a solar energy system, now is the time for both. The benefits of solar energy can go beyond your fuel costs, plus it’s excellent for the environment. We pride ourselves on assisting customers in making the transition to solar energy. Contact us today for more information and get an estimate for your home.
