In the market for an EV?
Here’s how to understand your energy fuel savings, and the true cost of charging your EV.
Example: If you buy a Nissan Leaf, charge at home, and drive 1,000 mi/ month, your electric bill will increase by $62/month in added use.
HERE’S HOW TO CALCULATE:
1. Start with the electric car’s energy consumption rate, which is expressed as kWh per 100 miles. The average is 31kWh/100 mi. All EV window stickers base the MPGe on a national average of 12¢ per kWh. DO NOT USE THIS number. It is not representative of what YOU will pay.
2. Then figure out what you pay for electricity. If you are a PG&E customer living in the central coast, your average cost per kWh for electricity to charge your EV is 20¢/kWh.
3. Multiply 20¢/kWh by the EV models stated kWh/100 miles.
The sum is your cost per 100 miles driven.
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CURRENT EV MODEL kWh/MILES:
Hyundai Electric = 25 kWh/100 mi
BMW i3 = 27 kWh/100 miles
Scion iQ = 28 kWh/100 miles
Chevy Bolt = 28 kWh/100 mi
Chevy Spark = 28 kWh/100 mi
VW eGulf = 28 kWh/100 mi
Honda Fit = 29 kWh/100 miles
Fiat 500e = 29 kWh/100 mi
Mitsubishi = 30 kWh/100 miles
Nissan Leaf = 31 kWh/100 mi AVERAGE
Ford Focus Electric = 32 kWh/100 mi
Smart ForTwo = 32kWh/100 mi
Kia Soul Electric = 32 kWh/100 mi
Tesla Model S = 32 kWh/100 mi
Mercedes B-Class Electric = 40 kWh/100 mi
Toyota Rav 4 EV = 43 kWh/100 mi
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LET’S CALCULATE.
The Nissan Leaf is rated at 31 kWh/100 miles.
Average kWh energy costs = 20¢
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31 x 20¢ = $6.20 per 100 mile charge
$6.20 / 100 miles = 6.2¢ per mile electric costs.
The Nissan Leaf costs 6.2¢/mile to drive.
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COMPARE TO A GAS VEHICLE.
Driving a gas vehicle that gets 21 MPG, with gas at $3.50/gallon, the gas vehicle costs 16.6¢ per mile to drive. Driven 1,000 miles/month, the gas vehicle costs $167/month in fuel costs.
Gas Vehicle = $ 167/month in fuel costs
Nissan Leaf EV = $62/month electricity costs
SAVINGS = $105/month
SAVINGS MORE WITH AN EV PLUS SOLAR
Here’s where solar PV and battery storage can really magnify your savings.
Solar electric currently costs less than 8¢ per kWh to generate,
well under the average utility rate of 20¢ per kWh.
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8¢ x 31 = $2.48 per 100 mile charge
$2.48 / 100 miles = 2.5¢ per mile electric costs.
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If you drive the average of 1,000 mi/month, the Nissan Leaf
will cost you $25/month in electricity.
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Gas Vehicle = $167/month fuel costs
Nissan Leaf EV w/ solar = $25/month electricity costs
SAVINGS = $142/month
