Americans are rapidly embracing electric cars, with over 2 million EV vehicles now on roads nationwide. And that booming adoption brings plenty of first-time EV buyers wondering – how much will it really cost me to charge this thing?
Charging costs prove tricky to pinpoint given massive variances across utility rates, car models, battery sizes and more. But focusing just on statewide residential electric rates shows monumental discrepancies in home charging costs based purely on your location.
Let‘s explore this together. Below I analyze charging costs for a popular electric vehicle – the Tesla Model X with a 100 kWh battery – using each state‘s current average electric rates. You‘ll quickly spot certain regions where home charging costs a small fortune, while folks in other states fill their EV ‘tank‘ for practically pennies.
Understanding these major cost differences can help anyone considering an electric vehicle determine if home charging seems feasible in their area or if alternatives might serve them better.
Determining Statewide Charging Costs
First, how exactly did we estimate full charge costs for a Tesla Model X in each state? Excellent question. Here’s a quick overview of the methodology:
Vehicle Assumptions
We based estimates on charging costs for the 2021 Tesla Model X Long Range. This luxury SUV comes equipped with a massive 100 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing an impressive driving range of 405 miles per full charge based on EPA estimates.
Of course, any electric vehicle with a smaller or larger battery would charge faster or slower. But the Model X provides a useful standard for comparison here.
Charging Method and Speed
To determine charging times and estimate full ‘tank‘ costs, we assumed charging the Model X at home using a high-powered Tesla Wall Connector. This Level 2 (240-volt) charger provides up to 44 mph charging speeds.
For a 100 kWh Model X battery, that equates to a charging rate of 11.5 kW per hour. So theoretically, reaching a 100% charge would take 8.7 hours with a 60-amp home setup.
Statewide Electricity Rates
Here’s where costs differentiate hugely state-by-state. Using recent residential electric rate data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, we simply multiplied each state’s cost per kWh by the Model X‘s massive 100 kWh battery requirement.
This provided an accurate comparison of full home charging costs across the country.
Now let’s examine those results in more detail, from the five cheapest states for EV charging to the five priciest.
The 5 Least Expensive States for Home EV Charging
1. Washington – $10.40
Thanks to abundant and affordable hydroelectric power, Washington tops this list as the nation‘s cheapest state for home EV charging by a significant margin. Residential electric rates sit at just $0.104 per kWh – far below the $0.16 / kWh national average.
With automakers rolling out exciting new EV models annually, growth trends show no sign of slowing as the state pushes to electrify a larger share of vehicles. Fortunately Washington‘s infrastructure and renewable generation capacity help keep costs down even amid rising demand.
2. Utah – $10.90
This state made big news in 2022 by installing new EV charging stations at every state park. Thanks to Utah legislation requiring utilities to source 20% from renewables by 2025, electric rates remain affordable – around $0.109 per kWh.
Rocky Mountain Power does warn some variability in future costs as new generating plants and infrastructure come online. But Utah still looks to advance major projects expanding renewable energy, EV infrastructure and grid capacity over this decade.
3. Idaho – $11.00
Idaho sits just behind its neighbor at approximately $0.11 per kWh, aided by hydro dams helping stabilize costs year-over-year. And local utilities received $1.3 million in state funding recently to install more DC fast charging stations – aiming to motivate more drivers to go electric.
4. North Dakota – $11.70
One might assume North Dakota‘s frigid winter temperatures drive electrical bills through the roof. But thanks to abundant wind generation capacity, residential rates stay under $0.12 per kWh on average.
EV drivers benefit from both a $2,500 tax credit to reduce purchase costs and up to 35% back installing home charging equipment. Given incentives like that combined with low utility rates, EV operating costs compare very favorably to gas vehicles.
5. Oregon – $11.90
Oregon rounds out the top 5 averaging $0.119 per kWh. This state allowed electric tax credits to expire, but most utilities still provide special rates and rebates for home EV charging to stimulate local adoption.
For example, Portland General Electric offers plans with 30-50% lower rates during overnight hours – perfectly aligning with charging an EV at home. Smart charging technology even allows you to control session timing to leverage rock-bottom prices.
Over 75% of Oregon’s net electricity generation already sources from renewables. And continued investments in wind and solar power should help maintain affordable rates moving forward.
The 5 Most Expensive States for Home EV Charging
Now let’s examine the flip side – the five most expensive states for home EV charging based on current residential electric rates across the U.S.
1. Hawaii – $44.80
Hawaii’s energy landscape proves utterly unique, given its remote island location far from the continental grid systems. Heavily depending on petroleum and diesel imports already leads to sky-high electric rates averaging $0.45 per kWh – nearly triple the rates seen in Washington and Utah!
Add surging fuel costs and increased tropical storms threatening aging grid infrastructure, and Hawaii’s charging disadvantage becomes obvious. But local legislators push utilities to invest more heavily in renewable sources year after year. So hopefully solar, wind and geothermal projects could provide savings over time.
2. New Hampshire – $30.40
This New England state normally maintains prices below regional averages. But recently a combination of rising imported fossil fuel costs and urgent infrastructure upgrades have caused rates to leap over $0.30 per kWh – doubling costs for EV drivers.
To ease the sting somewhat, New Hampshire exempts electric vehicles from a 5% registration fee imposed on gas cars. But addressing those more foundational grid issues will prove essential to lowering costs again.
3. Massachusetts – $26.20
Regional utilities like Eversource and National Grid confirm residential rates have climbed nearly 20% across Massachusetts over 24 months. Contributing factors include a reliance on pricier heating sources in winter and new state clean energy programs partly funded via consumer fees.
On the bright side, EV buyers qualify for a $2,500 point-of-sale rebate along with preferential policies like permission to use high-occupancy highway lanes. But incentivizing more distributed solar adoption could prevent authorities from implementing further demand charges.
4. Rhode Island – $24.60
Despite dropping slightly year-over-year, Rhode Island still averages around $0.246 per kWh largely thanks to imported natural gas feeding over 90% of in-state generation. Pair that with a colder-than-average winter outlook pushing up electricity usage and heating bills even higher.
For consumers willing and able to purchase an electric vehicle, Rhode Island does provide a $2,500 EV rebate. More Level 2 and DC fast charging stations are also slated for development using Volkswagen settlement funds. But lowering those core energy costs remains imperative to incentivize mass EV adoption statewide.
5. Alaska – $24.00
Given its harsh arctic climate and remoteness from continental grid connections, Alaska unsurprisingly lands among the top 5 most expensive states for home EV charging. Depending on isolated diesel generators and pricier shipped-in fuels leaves few alternatives currently.
Efforts are underway to shift investment toward renewable energy projects across Alaska’s scattered microgrids. But with temperatures frequently plunging far below zero degrees Fahrenheit in winter, sufficient capacity and batteries for stability remain challenging hurdles.
Clearly massive discrepancies exist in residential charging costs ranging from as low as $10 to as much as $45 for a full ‘tank’ between the highest and lowest states.
What ultimately causes such huge cost differences among states? And can drivers expect rates to remain stable over their vehicle lifespan? Let‘s explore a few key factors influencing local pricing.
What Determines Electricity Rates in Each State?
As evidenced above, rates for home EV charging vary drastically state to state. Regional differences in electric bills historically come down to a combination of factors:
Electrical Grid Efficiency
Upgrading aging transmission lines, transformers and hardware reduces efficiency losses and expenses passing to consumers. For example, Arkansas lawmakers recently approved programs providing utilities $20 million annually to modernize systems – which could stabilize local rates.
Power Generation Sources
Renewables like solar, wind and hydro offer lower operating costs once equipment installation completes. But lack of sustained breezes or sunshine necessitate careful planning to supplement generation. Relying more heavily on fossil fuels leaves states vulnerable to market changes too.
For context, Kentucky residents have faced up to 15% increases recently as utilities shift away from cheaper coal reliance. Meanwhile Oregon’s wealth of hydro and wind resources kept rates lower at around $0.11 to $0.13 per kWh.
Infrastructure Expansion
To accommodate soaring EV adoption, electrical infrastructure must scale rapidly from power stations to transformers to charging ports. At least $60 billion investment is needed by 2030 according to industry estimates. Costs of major grid upgrades often pass directly to homeowners and businesses.
California‘s rates already trend higher than most of the U.S. given aging systems straining to support EV growth and summer air conditioning demands. Pending legislation also allows increased charges on consumers specifically for infrastructure projects benefiting public EV charging.
Electrical Supply and Demand Imbalances
Heating needs in winter and AC usage in summer cause predictable seasonal spikes in electricity demand. But increasingly extreme weather events now overwhelm grids unprepared for such heavy loading.
For example, Texas saw extended winter storms in 2021 trigger statewide blackouts from demand surging higher than supply availability. Post-storm price surges reaching $9 per kWh drove massive utility bills for consumers as generators sought to recover earnings.
Policy and Regulation Differences
Energy policy also significantly impacts rates between states. Renewable portfolio standards, demand response programs, time-of-use pricing plans, special EV charging tariffs and other key regulations help balance costs. Or drive rates higher if lacking.
California is presently debating baseline credits enabling homes with rooftop solar to sell unused power back to the grid. Adopting helpful programs like this prevents lawmakers from approving general rate increases on consumers instead to meet budget needs.
So in summary – a state’s existing infrastructure health, generation sources, grid capacity, energy policies and future investments represent key factors determining the local costs shouldered by homeowners and EV drivers for their electrical supply.
Weighing Public Charging vs Home Charging Cost Effectiveness
Given the sheer variety of residential power rates across America, you may wonder if solely relying on public charging stations might prove more budget-friendly long-term.
But while curbside charging offers obvious conveniences, analysis shows home charging delivers substantially lower costs per kWh in practically every instance.
According to a recent report tracking usage across over 100,000 public charging points nationwide, average costs for drivers ranged between $0.34 and $0.63 per kWh among Level 2 and DC fast charging stations. That‘s 2 to 6 times higher than residential rates in many states.
The reasons behind such massive price differences relate to:
Convenience Premiums: Hosts of public charging stations apply pricing markups knowing drivers value location convenience and fast charging availability while traveling over finding the absolute lowest rate possible.
Peak Pricing: Commercial charging stations often apply significantly higher per kWh costs during daytime hours given area traffic patterns and periods of highest use. Just as with residential time-of-use plans, off-peak overnight rates may run 50-80% cheaper.
Electric Demand Charges: Many urban and highway corridor charging plazas sit connected to commercial utility accounts. They pay inflated demand charges anytime charging network loads exceed allotted thresholds. These costs then pass through to drivers.
Network Subscription Fees: Companies like Electrify America and EVgo build and operate DC fast charging networks accessible to members paying monthly or per session fees layered onto underlying electricity costs.
Ultimately this analysis highlights consistent value in installing Level 1 or Level 2 chargers at home for the vast majority of drivers. Smart charging also allows you to control timing based on TOU hourly rates or off-peak incentives. And nothing beats heading out each morning with a full charge from your own private pump!
I hope this state-by-state comparison helps provide useful context toward estimating your own potential EV charging costs based on current local electric rates.
Be sure to also check available rebates, tax incentives in your area and special EV charging programs from utilities aiming to motivate more regional adoption. Where underlying grid infrastructure stays robust and generation sources diversify over time, stability or even downward rate trajectory becomes likelier.
Let me leave you with a few quick takeaways:
- Residential charging costs for a full "fill up" on a 100 kWh EV battery span from just $10 to almost $45
- Factors like generation sources, grid efficiency and infrastructure strongly influence regional pricing
- Home charging proves far cheaper over the long run than public charging stations
I welcome any other questions in the comments below! Let me know what otherwise holds you back from considering an electric vehicle.
