Key takeaways:
- Electric vehicle home charger installation increases energy use, but with a few simple EV charging tips, you can keep your bills down.
- For instance, you can charge during off-peak hours or use solar power to charge your EV for less.
- Taking advantage of incentives and utility rebates available to Florida homeowners is another great way to save.
Are you thinking about installing an electric vehicle home charger? Charging your EV at home is convenient, but it will increase your electricity bills by approximately $40 a month for 15k annual miles.
However, you can keep your energy costs down by following a few simple tips. Here’s how much EV owners can expect to spend on charging in Florida in 2025 and how to save on at-home EV charging.
How Much Power Does an EV Charger Use?
Before talking about how much it costs to charge an EV, it’s important to understand how much power your EV uses.
- If you’re charging with Level 1, which is a simple power cord plugged into a standard 120V outlet, your EV is only using 1.2 to 2.4 kilowatts to charge.
- The amount of energy used by Level 2 chargers varies based on their performance, but 7.2 kilowatts is a realistic range for most chargers.
Does this mean Level 1 charging is cheaper? Not really. Level 1 charging is much slower, which means you need to leave your EV plugged in longer to get a full charge.
For instance, charging a 50 kWh EV battery with Level 1 charging will take over 20 hours, but getting these 50 kWh with Level 2 charging will take a little less than 7 hours. Your total energy consumption is 50 kWh in both cases, except that it took much longer to reach it with Level 1.
How Much Does At-Home EV Charging Cost in Florida?
The cost of charging your EV at home depends on how often you charge your vehicle and how much energy you need to get a full battery. You should also consider your utility’s charges per kWh.
In Florida, the average electricity rate is $0.15 per kWh. With EVs getting 3 to 5 miles of range per kWh of charge, you’re paying $0.03 to $0.05 per mile driven.
However, this cost will vary because electricity providers use pricing to match regular energy demand and will charge you more if you run your EV charger when the grid is under strain.
What Affects Your Energy Bill?
EV chargers increase your energy demand, but several factors determine how much you really pay.
Time-of-Use and Demand Charges
Some Florida utility companies offer different plans, including time-of-use (TOU) rates and demand response billing. TOU plans charge more for electricity during peak times, usually in the afternoon and evening, especially during summer heat waves. Charging an EV at these peak hours will cost you more.
With demand charges, your electricity provider charges you more if your total energy consumption goes above a certain threshold over a 15-minute interval. For instance, if you use more than 15 kWh with several appliances running simultaneously, you’ll see an extra charge on your bill.
Fortunately, most Florida utility companies do not charge time-of-use or demand charges for residential customers, but you can contact them to discuss these options if you’re interested.
Seasonal Charging Patterns
The summer months are hot and humid in Central Florida, and AC usage spikes. The grid can struggle to keep up, and utilities often raise their prices during the day to increase their capacity and encourage people to use less power.
You’ll probably notice that charging your EV costs more in the summer, especially if you have to top off your battery in the afternoon.
EV Charging Tips to Save on Your Energy Bills
Save money on EV charging with these simple strategies.
Be Mindful of When You Charge
Does your utility have a time-of-use rate or demand charges? Go over your bill to better understand how your usage is calculated, and be mindful of when you are charged:
- If you’re paying a time-of-use rate, avoid charging during on-peak hours.
- If your utility has demand charges, stagger your electricity usage so you don’t charge while running other appliances.
Buy a Smart EV Charger
Smart chargers come with scheduling features. It’s a great way to take advantage of lower time-of-use rates or avoid demand charges. All you have to do is plug in your EV when you get home, and charging will automatically begin on schedule.
Solar Panels and Clean Power
Central Florida has plenty of sunshine. Pairing an EV charger with rooftop solar panels means you can charge your car with clean energy and cut your energy bills. Some smart chargers can be programmed to align EV charging with periods when your solar panels generate surplus electricity, maximizing on-site energy use instead of exporting it back to the grid.
Take Advantage of Incentives
Some Florida utilities offer rebates and other incentives to help you save on EV charging.
For instance, you can get bill credits for charging your EV during off-peak hours with Duke Energy. If you’re a customer of Florida Light & Power & Light, you can sign up for a time-of-use plan and pay less during off-peak hours.
Get an Energy Audit
When you schedule an energy audit, a professional examines your home’s energy use closely. This is a great way to spot issues like old appliances, weak insulation, or aging wires that don’t transport power efficiently.
Ready to Install a Home EV Charger in Central Florida?
Charging your EV at home doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right electric vehicle home charger installation, you can have an energy-efficient charger that runs on an up-to-date infrastructure.
With EVPlugz by your side, figuring out EV charging is easy. We’re here to answer your questions and explore solutions for keeping your energy costs down.
Give us a call at 321-549-7002 or contact us online to learn more about EV charging.
FAQ
Will my energy bill go up after installing an EV charger?
Most people see their bills rise by $30 to $50 a month with at-home EV charging. You can lower your costs with off-peak charging or solar panels.
Can older homes install EV chargers?
Yes, but some older homes may need a panel upgrade or load management system installation. Our team can assess your set-up and recommend changes before installation.
How much energy does a Level 2 charger use?
It depends on the model, but typically, your Level 2 charger will use around 7.2 kilowatts.
