How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Public Stations vs Home?
The True Cost of Charging an Electric Vehicle
One of the biggest advantages of driving an EV is the dramatic reduction in fuel costs. But how much does it actually cost to charge, and how do public station prices compare to home charging? Let's dive into the real numbers.
Home Charging Costs
Home charging is by far the most economical option. The cost depends on your local electricity rate, which varies by province, state, and utility provider.
Average Electricity Rates (2026)
| Region | Avg Rate ($/kWh) | Cost per Full Charge (60 kWh) | Cost per 100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta, Canada | $0.12 | $7.20 | $2.40 |
| Ontario, Canada | $0.10 | $6.00 | $2.00 |
| British Columbia | $0.09 | $5.40 | $1.80 |
| California, USA | $0.25 | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| Texas, USA | $0.11 | $6.60 | $2.20 |
| UK | £0.28 | £16.80 | £5.60 |
| Germany | €0.30 | €18.00 | €6.00 |
| Australia | A$0.30 | A$18.00 | A$6.00 |
💡 Off-Peak Savings: Many utilities offer time-of-use rates. Charging between 11 PM and 7 AM can reduce costs by 30–50%. In Ontario, off-peak rates drop to $0.065/kWh — making a full charge cost just $3.90.
Home Charging Cost Breakdown
For a typical EV driver covering 20,000 km per year:
| Cost Category | Level 1 | Level 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $0 (included with car) | $500–$1,200 |
| Installation | $0 | $300–$1,500 |
| Annual electricity | $400–$600 | $400–$600 |
| Government rebates | N/A | -$500 to -$5,000 |
| 5-year total cost | $2,000–$3,000 | $1,500–$4,000 |
After accounting for rebates, many EV owners recoup their Level 2 installation costs within 1–2 years through fuel savings alone.
Public Charging Costs
Public charging costs vary significantly based on the network, charger type, location, and pricing model. Here's a comprehensive breakdown:
Public Level 2 Charging
| Network | Pricing Model | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ChargePoint | Per kWh or per hour | $0.20–$0.35/kWh |
| FLO | Per kWh | $0.25–$0.35/kWh |
| Blink | Per kWh or per session | $0.25–$0.49/kWh |
| Municipal/Free | Free | $0.00 |
| Hotel/Retail | Free or validated | $0.00–$0.20/kWh |
DC Fast Charging
| Network | Per kWh Price | Cost per 100 km | Monthly Sub Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | $0.35–$0.55 | $7.00–$11.00 | $12.99/mo for reduced rates |
| Electrify America | $0.43–$0.48 | $8.60–$9.60 | $4.00/mo (Hyundai/VW plans) |
| Electrify Canada | $0.37–$0.45 | $7.40–$9.00 | Included with some vehicles |
| Petro-Canada | $0.37–$0.47 | $7.40–$9.40 | N/A |
| FLO | $0.30–$0.42 | $6.00–$8.40 | N/A |
| IONITY (Europe) | €0.79 (ad hoc) | €15.80 | €5.99–€17.99/mo |
| Fastned (Europe) | €0.59 | €11.80 | €11.99/mo for €0.36/kWh |
⚠️ Watch for Idle Fees: Many networks charge $0.40–$1.00 per minute after your car reaches a certain charge level if you don't move it. Always unplug promptly!
Check real-time community-reported prices on our Prices page.
Home vs Public vs Gas: Annual Cost Comparison
Let's compare the annual fueling cost for a driver covering 20,000 km/year:
| Fuel Source | Cost per 100 km | Annual Cost (20,000 km) | 5-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home charging (off-peak) | $1.50–$2.50 | $300–$500 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Home charging (standard) | $2.00–$3.50 | $400–$700 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| Public Level 2 | $4.00–$7.00 | $800–$1,400 | $4,000–$7,000 |
| DC Fast Charging | $7.00–$12.00 | $1,400–$2,400 | $7,000–$12,000 |
| Gasoline (8L/100km) | $12.00–$18.00 | $2,400–$3,600 | $12,000–$18,000 |
| Premium gas (10L/100km) | $16.00–$24.00 | $3,200–$4,800 | $16,000–$24,000 |
🏆 Bottom Line: Even the most expensive EV charging option (DC fast charging exclusively) is still cheaper than gasoline for most drivers. Home charging saves 70–85% compared to gas.
Hidden Costs and Savings
Costs Often Overlooked
- Parking fees at public charging locations
- Idle fees for overstaying at fast chargers ($0.40–$1.00/min)
- Session fees — some networks charge a flat $1–$2 per session on top of energy costs
- Subscription fees — monthly plans from charging networks ($5–$18/month)
Savings Often Overlooked
- No oil changes — save $100–$200/year
- Reduced brake maintenance — regenerative braking extends brake life by 2–3×
- Federal/provincial incentives — up to $5,000–$7,000 for the vehicle itself
- Reduced insurance — some insurers offer EV discounts
- HOV lane access — time savings in congested cities
Money-Saving Tips for EV Charging
- Charge at home whenever possible — it's 3–5× cheaper than public fast charging
- Use time-of-use rates — schedule charging during off-peak hours (typically 11 PM – 7 AM)
- Join network memberships — monthly subscriptions often pay for themselves with 2–3 charges
- Find free charging — many malls, hotels, and workplaces offer free Level 2 charging. Use our Map to filter for free chargers.
- Charge to 80% — you'll save time and money at DC fast chargers since you pay per kWh and the last 20% charges very slowly
- Stack incentives — combine federal rebates with provincial/state programs and utility rebates
- Consider solar — home solar panels can reduce your charging cost to near-zero
- Use our price tracker — check community-reported prices to find the cheapest stations near you
Cost Calculator Example
Let's calculate the real savings for a typical scenario:
Driver Profile: 20,000 km/year, currently driving a sedan averaging 8L/100km with gas at $1.60/L
| Category | Gas Car | EV (Home Charging) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Energy | $2,560 | $480 | $2,080 |
| Oil changes | $200 | $0 | $200 |
| Brake pads | $300 | $100 | $200 |
| Total | $3,060 | $580 | $2,480/year |
Over 5 years, that's $12,400 in savings — enough to cover a significant portion of the EV purchase premium.
Use our Leaderboard to track your savings and compare with other EV drivers in your area.
Pricing Trends and the Future
EV charging costs are trending in both directions:
Getting Cheaper:
- Home electricity rates are stable or declining with renewable energy
- Competition among charging networks is driving public prices down
- More free charging options from retailers and employers
- Battery efficiency improvements mean less energy needed per km
Getting More Expensive:
- Some networks are raising DC fast charging rates
- Demand charges increasing for high-power commercial sites
- Government incentives may decrease as EV adoption grows
📊 Track prices in real-time on our Prices page where the community reports actual costs at stations across the country.
Start saving today. Find the most affordable charging stations near you on our Interactive Map or compare network pricing on our Brands page.