Several car manufacturers are adding electric vehicles to their lineups to satisfy customers’ demand for better fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly options. As a result, electric cars are beginning to show up in every vehicle class providing consumers with many options to pick from. Due to this, it is no surprise that consumers are beginning to consider electric car charging costs when making a purchase. Most electric car owners install a home charging station. However, with the high energy bills that car buyers deal with these days, it’s become essential to consider reducing your electric car charging costs to a minimum. This article will explore ways to reduce charging costs; let’s begin. 

How Much Does Charging an Electric Car Cost

Many factors determine how often you’ll need to charge your electric car. Questions like how much power your electric car uses, how often you need to charge, and electricity costs in your area come to play. How often you need to charge extensively depends on how far you drive your electric car. You’ll have to make several charging stops when going on a road trip as opposed to simply running errands. The average cost of electricity each year is €0.18 per kWh. Therefore, if you drive your electric car for 15,000 miles in a year, you’ll spend up to €54 a month or €700 a year to charge it. Overall, this still offers you higher savings than driving a petrol-powered car.

Costs also depend on where you charge them. Home-charging ports are usually convenient. They save you the hassle of having to stop over at a charging station every time. Additionally, plugging in at home means you pay for the electricity your car needs to charge. You usually need to install an electrical outlet near your vehicle. You could go with level 2, or DC fast charging, which can give you enough charge to go 80-145 kilometers in half an hour depending on the vehicle. Most people do their electric car charging at home. This means you pay your electricity rate to charge your vehicle. Keep reading if you’re looking to reduce the energy costs of charging your electric car.

How to Reduce Your Electric Car Charging Costs to Minimum

Finding the best charge for your electric car is nothing like looking for cheap fuel. Typically, you’re stuck with the utility serving your home and their rates. However, if you had a choice of utility plan, it could help you save hundreds of euros each year knowing what to pick. Below are some of the top tips on how you can reduce your electric car charging costs to a minimum.

Call Your Utility

One of the top ways to reduce electric car charging costs to a minimum is to contact your electric providers. By simply calling them, you can discover if they have unique rate plans you can take advantage of. Some top electricity providers have trained personnel available to explain the different rates. Unfortunately, most electric car owners make the mistake of never making that call and never finding out about the electricity rate plan that can save them money.

Do the Math Before Making a Purchase

Most people who intend to own an electric vehicle never inquire about rate plans. Most people assume all they have to do is purchase, go home, and plug. Most electirc vehicles come with batteries you can charge overnight. While it’s usually clear the amount of cost savings you can enjoy when you move from the pump to the plug, you also need to do the math for electric car saving.

Timing is Everything

When you own an electric vehicle and possess home solar systems or electric conversation habits, there might be no need to change from your household utility plan. However, time of use can sometimes be the reason for high prices, as most plans aim to discourage daytime power use. Therefore, if you don’t have solar power and have heavy daytime use of many electric appliances, it might be best to avoid time-of-use plans and stick to a regular plan.

Electric utility companies tend to charge more when using energy during peak hours. Therefore, you can save money by researching your utility’s off-peak hours and charging during this period. Luckily, it usually falls between late at night and early mornings. This means you can save money by charging your car while you sleep.

Locate Free Charging Points

It helps to know the charging points around your home and your workplace. Apart from knowing the closest charging stations, you should also find out if they charge a fee. While many public stations charge a fee, some are free. Additionally, some workplaces provide a free charging station for their workers. Also, you can find some stores with charging stations for their customers. Explore your neighborhood and carry out ample research. Most free and inexpensive charging stations do not advertise their offers. If you’re lucky to locate a free charging point, it could significantly reduce your charging cost.

Utilize Renewable Energy

Another way to cut down on charging costs is to use renewable energy to power your home. You can do this by installing solar panels in your home to charge your electric vehicle. Sometimes, making this choice qualifies you for many grants. If you also live in a country with energy deregulation, it might give you the option to choose your utility company. Some companies offer green electricity plan; the energy supplied matches renewable energy credits and are usually cheaper.

Conclusion

Many drivers save hundreds of euros when choosing an electric car over a fuel-powered car. However, most EV owners continue to worry about the energy costs they have to deal with when purchasing one. Luckily, this article touches on the best ways to reduce your electric car charging costs to a minimum. Utilizing some or all of these tips will make a significant difference in your electric bills.