Solar Overview
Solar 101
How will an EV(electric vehicle) impact my utility bill??
As electric vehicles continue to gain popularity due to their numerous benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower operating costs, it is essential to understand the changes you might experience in your electricity consumption and billing.
Upon transitioning to an electric vehicle, you can expect an increase in your electricity usage, as you will now be charging your vehicle using your home’s power supply. The extent of the increase in your utility bill depends on several factors:
- The capacity of your vehicle’s battery: The battery capacity, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), determines the amount of energy required to fully charge your EV. Higher battery capacities correspond to increased electricity usage.
- Your driving habits: The number of miles you drive and your driving style will influence the frequency and duration of charging sessions. Frequent and aggressive driving necessitates more frequent charging, leading to higher electricity consumption.
- Electricity rates: The cost of electricity in your region, as well as any time-of-use (TOU) rates, will impact your utility bill. Charging your EV during off-peak hours may result in lower costs.
- Charging equipment: The efficiency and power of your charging equipment can affect the amount of electricity consumed during the charging process.
To provide an estimate of how much your electric bill could increase, consider the following example: If your EV has a 60 kWh battery and you drive 1,000 miles per month, you would need to charge approximately 20 kWh per 100 miles, based on an average consumption rate of 4 miles per kWh. This equates to 200 kWh of additional electricity usage per month. If your electricity rate is $0.12 per kWh, your utility bill would increase by approximately $24 per month.
Please note that this is a rough estimate, and individual factors such as your specific EV model, local electricity rates, and driving habits may result in variations in your actual utility bill.
utilities have EV specific utility rates that can help with the additional expenses associated with buying an EV but the best way to help offset the additional electricity costs it add rooftop solar to your home. This will save you the most money and help reduce your overall carbon footprint. Our Customer Experience Professionals will help guide you on how to size your system with your new EV purchase or future EV purchase. You can also use this website to see how much additional electricity you will need to support your EV and driving needs.Â