Electric Vehicles: How Do They Impact Electric Bills?

The popularity of electric vehicles continues to rise. More and more people choose to drive electric cars instead of gasoline. It's great for the environment and can be pretty fun to drive! If you're considering moving away from fossil fuel vehicles, below are some things you should know about the impact of that choice on your electric bill.

How Do Electric Cars Impact Electric Bills?

There's a long-standing debate about whether electric cars can increase electric bills. The idea is that, since these vehicles need to draw power from the electrical grid, they'll increase demand and, therefore, costs. However, the truth is that electric cars will have a minimal impact on your utility bill so much so that you might not even notice it.

Driving an Electric Car vs. Driving a Gas-Powered Car

Determining how much impact an electric car will have on your utility bill comes down to comparing the various costs of owning both types of vehicles. While there are many differences between gas-powered and electric cars, gas-powered cars always need gas, while electric vehicles don't always need electricity.

This is because gas-powered cars require frequent fill-ups to keep running as often as every 300 miles while you can go much longer without charging an electric car.

As such, when considering the cost of owning an electric car vs. owning a gas vehicle, you'll need to consider how often you drive and where your driving habits take you. If you only drive for short distances or infrequently, then the cost difference between fueling up at the pump against charging your car up at home makes electric cars a no-brainer.

Average Cost

According to AFDC Energy the information below explains the average cost of an electric vehicle:

Most electric vehicle owners of plug-in electric vehicles charge their cars overnight at their own home using equipment that charges them at AC Level 1 or AC Level 2. A professional electric must install Level 2 charging equipment, and Mr. Electric of Fort Worth can help.

An electric vehicle consumes about 33 kWh on average, and the cost of electricity is $0.13 per kWh. As a result, the average cost per mile for an electric vehicle is about $0.04. It is estimated that charging an electric car with a 200-mile range will cost $9 on average.

Benefits of Electric Cars

• Safety - Electric cars are safer than gas-powered vehicles because they don't run on combustible fuels that lead to fires or explosions. They also have a low center of gravity, making them less likely to roll over in an accident.
• Environmentally Friendly - Electric cars produce no emissions, so they have less of an impact on the environment than cars that run on gasoline. In addition, EVs make less noise than regular cars, which helps reduce air pollution in urban areas and allows for more peaceful driving experiences.
• Affordable - Gas prices are skyrocketing right now (2022). Also, electric cars require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles and don't need oil changes or engine repair as often. You can save money by owning an EV instead of a standard car or truck.
• Efficient - Electric cars can travel farther while using less energy.

Drawbacks of Electric Cars

• Higher Purchase Price Electric cars have a higher purchase price than conventional gasoline cars. This is primarily because the batteries and motors in electric cars cost more at the moment. However, as electric car production rises, prices will decrease, becoming more affordable.
• Charging Requires Time Charging an electric car requires time. You can't just stop at a gas station and fill up in 5 minutes like you can with a traditional combustion vehicle. The majority of charging stations only provide Level 1 or Level 2 charging, which can take hours to charge your vehicle. If you want faster DC fast charging, you should plan on spending more money on your electric car or find one already equipped with it.
• Limited Range Electric cars have a limited range compared to combustion vehicles. Because of this, drivers have to plan their trips around charging stations or risk getting stranded without enough power to complete their journey.
• High Battery Replacement Costs Replacing the battery in an electric car can be costly. On average, you can expect to pay $5,000 for a new battery for an EV.

Upgrade Your Home Electrical Now

If you consider an electric vehicle, contact Mr. Electric in Fort Worth for more information to update your home's electrical system today. We have professional electricians to meet all electrical upgrade needs you have.