The advantages of having an electric car have been well-documented. They’re cleaner, quieter, and accelerate faster than most cars on the road today. But what about the costs?
When you buy a new or used car, there are often hidden costs that come along with it—insurance, taxes, registration fees and more. But for those considering purchasing an electric vehicle, there are additional costs, including how much it costs to charge an electric car and how much it costs to install the necessary electric car charger at home.
Here are some facts on the costs of electric vehicle charging that can help you decide if you want to go for an electric car.
The Benefits of Home Charging
Charging your electric vehicle at home is easy, convenient and cheaper than filling it up at the gas station. When you plug your car in at home, it will charge at a rate of 3.7kW, 7kW or sometimes 22kW. The rated power of most home EV charging points is 7kW, which will charge your electric car (60kWh) in under 8 hours from empty to full.
Consider the size of your car’s battery when choosing an EV charger. The more powerful the charger, the more expensive it will be, and the longer it will take to charge your vehicle from empty to full.
The Demand for Public Stations
As the demand for going electric rises, so does the charging infrastructure to meet it. The faster the charger, the more expensive it is. Rapid chargers are most common and can be found at motorway service stations. It typically costs 44p/kWh, up to £11 for 30 minutes of charging.
The Implementation of Solar PV
If you have solar PV installed in your home, the days of charging up your electric vehicle are a lot cheaper. As solar power is generated during the day when you’re not using it and stored in batteries, at night, when electricity demand is at its lowest, there will be excess supply. This means that when you plug in your car overnight, it will only cost about £2 to fully charge a Nissan Leaf from empty to full.
The Future of Electric Vehicles in North Ireland
The future of electric vehicles in North Ireland is looking bright. The country has been the site of many developments in electric vehicle technology, and it’s only improving. Electric cars are also getting cheaper and better, so more people can afford them. Additionally, there are a lot of incentives available for people who buy these types of cars—like tax breaks or free parking spaces at public lots.
All in all, it seems like electric vehicles are here to stay!
Conclusion
So, how do the costs stack up? There are multiple variables at play, but electric cars generally cost less to operate because they require far fewer moving parts and have much lower running and maintenance costs than petrol or diesel vehicles. That makes them a clear win for the environment and your wallet.
Ultimately, you will need to do the maths. Still, with petrol and diesel prices soaring, driving an electric vehicle might make an excellent investment – as well as being a step towards a cleaner environment.
Investing in electric vehicles is the way to go if you want to lower your energy expenses. If you’re planning to install an electric car charging station Belfast and want help choosing the right one, check out Design Electrical for your EV Installation services and products.