The biggest benefit of switching to an electric vehicle is never having to pay for gas again. But how much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle? When it comes to the cost of charging an EV, it depends on how and where you choose to charge. While the exact cost can vary depending on several factors, let’s break down the different charging options and what you can expect to pay for each. FACTORS AFFECTING THE COST OF CHARGING AN EV Several variables can influence how much it costs to charge your electric vehicle (EV): Vehicle Efficiency and battery size: More efficient EVs consume less energy per kilometre, which lowers EV charging costs. Battery size and vehicle model also play a role, with larger batteries costing more to fully charge. Charger Type: DC fast chargers (typically the quickest option) tend to be more expensive than Level 1 or Level 2 EV chargers due to higher operating and infrastructure costs. Driving habits and usage: Your daily driving patterns, including the distance you travel and your driving speed, dictate how much you’ll spend on charging. Longer distances, higher speeds, and more frequent use will increase how often you need to charge, raising overall costs. Charging network and station type: Pricing can differ significantly between charging providers. Faster stations often come with premium fees, while slower chargers may offer lower-cost or even free charging in some locations. Utility Rates: Electricity rates differ by province and time of use. In certain regions like Ontario, for instance, you can reduce costs significantly if you charge your EV overnight. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE? HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO CONVENTIONAL (GAS-POWERED) VEHICLES? Charging an EV is generally much cheaper than fueling a gas-powered vehicle, but the exact cost depends on where and how you charge it. On average, home charging can range between $1–$3 per 100km, while the same cost for fuel vehicles is much higher. For example, a household in British Columbia using 1,000 kWh of electricity per month pays approximately 13.19 cents per kWH. Since the average EV battery has a capacity between 60–100 kWh, a full charge would cost roughly $7.91 to $13.19. By contrast, filing up a fuel tank, at the current rate of gas, costs around 134.9c per litre (as of February 2026), filling a gas tank of 35 to 65 litres would cost around $47.2 to $87.68 On-the-go charging is almost always more expensive than charging your EV at home. Prices vary depending upon the charger type and provider: DC fast chargers often cost around $15–$20 per hour Level 2 EV chargers may cost approximately $1.50–$2 per hour HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN PUBLIC? As of April 2026, there are 14,500+ public charging stations across Canada, many of which are operated by network providers that require users to access chargers through mobile apps such as FLO or ChargePoint. Public charging is typically fee-based, with costs varying by location, provider, and charger type. Most stations offer either Level 2 or DC fast charging. There are several factors that influence what you’ll ultimately pay: Your location and local electricity rates The charging network or provider you use and their pricing policies The type and speed of charger This cost can be calculated: Per hour: You’re charged based on how long your EV remains plugged in. This model is common but may be less cost-efficient if your vehicle charges slowly. Prices can range from about $1.00 per hour to $15–$20 per hour. Per kWH: You pay for the exact amount of electricity consumed. This can be more cost-effective for longer charging sessions. Per session (flat fee): A fixed price is charged per charging session, regardless of duration or energy used. This is often the most expensive option. Time-based and flat fee billing methods are most commonly used in Canada. Some charging networks also offer membership plans that provide discounted rates, subscription pricing, or additional perks for frequent users. Free Charging For Electric Vehicles Many businesses and public spaces offer free or discounted charging to attract visitors and increase footfall. You can often find free on-site charging at locations like malls, hotels, office buildings, public parks, and parking lots. While some of these are reserved for employees or customers, others are available to the general public as well. Some free charging stations place limits on usage, e.g. offering only a set amount of energy or a limited charging time before fees apply. While this may not fully charge your vehicle, it can still be useful for quick top-ups and short trips. Yes, but: Many previously free stations are gradually transitioning to a pay-per-use model. So, free charging is not the most reliable option. It’s a good perk to have but shouldn’t be used as your only charging method. Pros and Cons Of Public Charging Pros: Access to free or discounted charging in some locations Convenient for top-ups while you’re out Cons: Wait times or queues at busy stations Parking fees may apply, even if charging is free Idle fees may apply if your vehicle remains plugged in after charging is complete; so you might have to stay with your vehicle while it charges HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CHARGE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT HOME? More than 80% of EV owners prefer charging at home, as it’s the cheapest and most convenient way to do so. Home EV charging costs depend mainly on your vehicle’s battery size and your local electricity rates. In Canada, electricity is often billed using time-of-use (TOU) rates. This means prices vary depending on the time of day: There are peak (high demand) periods during the day when rates are the highest, mid-peak hours (moderate rates) and off-peak (low demand) times at night when rates drop to the cheapest. Rates vary by province. In places like Ontario and British Columbia, electricity is cheapest overnight (often between 11 PM and 7 AM) thanks to ultra-low overnight pricing. So charging your EVs in off-peak or mid-peak hours is cheaper than charging it during peak hours (middle of the day) when electricity prices are higher. Let’s crunch some numbers This is the price of electricity in Ontario in summer as an example: Weekdays (off-peak times) and weekends and holidays all day: 9.8 ¢/kWh Weekdays(mid peak times): 15.7 ¢/kWh Weekdays peak hours: 20.3 ¢/kWh Ultra low overnight prices everyday: 3.9 ¢/kW So, if you charge a 50 kWh EV battery overnight at Ontario’s ultra-low rate of 3.9¢/kWh, you’d still only spend $1.95 for a full charge—a fraction of the cost during peak hours. In British Columbia, one of the fastest adopters of EVs, during peak hours, BC Hydro charges 5 cents more per kWh on a base rate, while the overnight discount subtracts 5 cents per kWh of electricity from the rate. According to NB Power, the average cost of charging an EV at home is about $2.75–$3.50 per 100 km for cars and SUVs. This translates to: Less than $40 per month added to your electricity bill Under $1 per day for a typical weekday commute The average Canadian drives approximately 20,000 kilometres per year, or about 55 kilometres per day. So you could halve these costs if you just shift your charging to overnight hours and take advantage of lower weekend rates. What Are The Advantages of Charging Your Electric Vehicle At Home? Charging your EV at home offers several practical and financial benefits: No need to travel to a charger: You don’t have to drive out of your way or search for nearby charging stations. Convenient overnight charging: Simply plug in your vehicle at night and wake up to a full charge. Lower long-term costs: Home charging is generally the most affordable option over the lifetime of your vehicle, especially compared to both public charging and gasoline-powered (ICE) vehicles. Better availability: Public charging infrastructure can be limited or spread out in some areas, making home charging a more reliable option. Avoid hassle: Don’t have to switch from Maps to app to calculator to find a charging station, calculate how much it costs to charge your electric vehicle there, factor in parking costs etc. No app or network restrictions: Public charging often requires specific apps or accounts. For example, using certain networks (or charging a non-Tesla vehicle at a Tesla station) may require additional setup. Home charging eliminates these extra steps. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO INSTALL AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGER AT HOME? In addition to electricity costs, EV owners should factor in a one-time EV charger installation cost for a home charging setup. While this upfront expense can seem like a lot, it’s often offset over time by lower charging costs and, in many cases, can be partially reduced through government incentives. In Canada, installing a home EV charger typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 CAD, including both equipment and professional installation. This is what influences your EV charger installation costs: Type of Charger: More powerful chargers require more complex installation and higher upfront costs. Level 1 chargers can simply be plugged into a standard outlet, with little to no installation costs while some Level 2 EV chargers could require panel upgrades and cost more. Vehicle Requirements: Some EVs benefit more from faster charging setups, which can impact your choice of charger. Electrical Panel Capacity: If your home’s electrical panel does not have enough capacity to handle the additional load from an EV charger, you may need to upgrade it. This can typically cost between $1,000 to $3,000 CAD extra depending on the complexity of the upgrade. Installation complexity: The distance between your electrical panel and the charger, as well as the need for additional wiring or a dedicated circuit, can increase costs. Although an EV charger installation requires an upfront investment, the savings from charging at home—compared to public charging or gasoline—makes it cost-effective over the long run. HOW CAN YOU SAVE MONEY WHILE CHARGING YOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE? Charge at home as much as possible: Home charging is usually the most affordable option. Public charging stations can vary significantly in cost, so it’s best to use them only for quick top-ups or emergencies. Charge your EV overnight and on weekends, holidays: Electricity rates are typically lowest during off-peak hours, making overnight charging the most cost-effective option. Low electricity rates also usually apply all day during weekends and holidays. Take advantage of smart charging features: Many EVs and chargers allow you to schedule charging during off-peak times and monitor energy usage. If you get an EV charger installed through 1Click Energy Solutions, we’ll also throw in an Eyedro Energy Monitor so you can easily track your electricity consumption! Maintain an optimal charge level: Try to keep your battery between 20% and 80% during regular use. This helps extend battery life and prevents unnecessary strain or overheating. Considering a home charger? We can help! 1Click Energy Solutions can help you choose the right charger and handle your EV charger installation from start to finish, making sure you get the best system for the best price. Professional installation ensures your setup is safe,remains under your warranty, and qualifies for government rebates. These incentives can also help reduce installation costs, making it easier than ever to switch to electric. Get a customized EV charging quote today and see how much it costs to install an EV charging station in your home. FAQs How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle at home in Canada? Charging at home is usually the cheapest option. In Canada, electricity rates vary by province, but most EV owners pay roughly $0.10–$0.20 per kWh. Costs depend on battery size and local electricity rates; however they’re almost always significantly cheaper than gasoline. How much does it cost to use public EV charging stations? Public EV charging costs vary depending on the network and charger speed: Level 2 EV Chargers (slower chargers): They’re often around $1–$3 per hour, but it can take 8-12 hours to charge your car to 100%. DC fast chargers: Typically $10–$30 for a full or near-full charge. Do I have to pay for parking at public chargers? While some charging stations may not charge a separate parking fee, others (like downtown lots or malls) may charge standard parking rates in addition to charging fees. Always check signage or the charging app before plugging in your EV. Do public chargers have extra fees for leaving my EV plugged in after it’s fully charged? Yes, some charging networks apply “idle fees” once your car is fully charged but still plugged in. These fees are meant to encourage drivers to move their vehicles and keep chargers available for others. Is it safe to charge an electric vehicle at home? Yes, charging at home is safe when using certified equipment. Modern EVs and home chargers include multiple safety features such as automatic shutoff, temperature monitoring, and surge protection. For best results, always have a licensed electrician install your home charging setup. Will installing and using a home EV charger increase my electricity bill? Yes, but not as much as you’d expect. For most drivers, charging at home adds about $30–$50 per month to their electricity bill, depending on driving habits and local electricity rates. Even with this increase, total energy costs are typically much lower than paying for gasoline.
