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By | 25 Jun 2022

The Ultimate Guide to Electric Vehicle Public Charging Pricing

As of 2019, there are roughly 17,500 public use electric cars Cheapest public EV charging stations around the United States. This is a big quantity, particularly when you consider the number of gas stations compared to the number of automobiles. In comparison to the 276 million automobiles that use them, there are only around 168,000 gas stations. In California, where over half of all-electric car sales occur, there are now 21,948 public electric vehicle charging stations for 655,088 EVs, a ratio of 1 to 29.

If you're an electric vehicle driver, like the other 80% of current EV drivers, you could find that charging your car at home or work fulfills the majority of your charging requirements. However, due to a lengthy road trip or other circumstances, you may need to charge your electric vehicle in public. In either scenario, there will be expenses connected with charging your electric vehicle at the public cheapest public EV charging stations.

Is charging an electric car at home or a public charging station less expensive?

The cheapest alternative is to use a basic plug, but it comes with several drawbacks in terms of comfort when compared to the other two, particularly a longer charging period.

We suggest investing in a home charger or using public infrastructure if you travel long distances and need to charge your electric car quickly. You're probably thinking about whether charging your electric vehicle at a public cheapest public EV charging stations or home is the most convenient and cost-effective option. It is dependent on several things. Use our calculator to determine if it is more cost-effective to invest in an EV home charging station or to depend on public charging infrastructure.

Basics of Public Charging Idle fees: Location and Timing Are Important

If you want to utilize a public outdoor EV charging network, keep in mind that the charging stations cost of charging varies based on the time of day and geographic location.

The cost of energy is determined by the locality. According to the EIA, the national average for commercial energy in July 2019 is just $0.11 per kWh, but prices vary from $.08 per kWh in Nevada, which is low, to $0.19 per kWh in California, which is high. This implies that the baseline pricing at public charging stations in California will almost certainly be higher than elsewhere in the nation due to the greater cost of energy and power in that particular region. Based on the source of the energy delivered, state law and regulation dictate the most a firm may charge.

Even if a public charging station is just used to complement the electricity provided by electric companies, particular pricing requirements must be followed. Regulations vary based on state legislation, and they determine how charging stations may arrange their power charges.

Models for Public Charging Pricing

There are three main price schemes for public charging:

• You may pay as you go

• Subscriptions every month

• free charging.

Some charging network providers provide a combination of the two, allowing EV owners a variety of alternatives. Pay as you go is, however, the most popular and favored price option among drivers. However, certain networks may give you a lower price if you are a frequent user, so if you have a convenient public charger that you use every week, the subscription option may be right for you.

Costs of Membership

Most EV drivers do not want to pay a monthly fee, but if you need to authenticate a charge at public Cheapest public EV charging stations, becoming a free member of a charging network is straightforward. You may download the app, sign up for an account, and play with it if you put a credit card on file. While some charging networks may need a $25 deposit, the majority of charging networks now provide guest charging, which enables anybody to pull up and pay with a credit card without having to register.

Prices for Public Charging on a Pay-As-You-Go Basis

The cost of commercial energy is influenced by a variety of variables, including location, time of usage, length of use, and power level, all of which impact public charging station rates. For example, California has the highest power prices in the country, as well as the most variable time-of-use, which varies by hour, weekday, and season. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) customers pay the highest rates between 3 and 8 p.m. on weekdays. Furthermore, Level 2 AC charging is charged differently from Level 2 DC charging, which has a power range of 50kW to 350kW.

Public Charging Rates

The price rates may be established by the site owner or the EV charging network, which has an impact on the pricing since each has different motives. For example, a site host may choose to provide free public charging as a bonus to attract more customers to its retail locations or to increase "dwell time."

The most frequent charging method is "by the minute," or per-minute cost, but you may also check pricing per charging session and per kWh.

Charging systems that charge by the minute provides a steady amount of electricity to the car. Even though most stations advertise a "20-minute supercharge," there is no way of knowing how much electricity is being sent to your vehicle. Even a 20-minute fast charge might add up when you're paying by the minute.

The Government Charges Idle Fees

Various charging networks would incentivize appropriate usage by charging electric vehicle drivers for idling. These prices vary based on the network and location. For example, an idle cost might range from $0.40 to $1.30 per minute.

Most networks no longer charge customers for set-up or termination fees, however, credit card fees vary by location if you pay as you go.

Which charging site is the most convenient and cost-effective?

Charging your car at home while simultaneously paying your electric supplier for the energy you use is a win-win situation. The cost of energy exemplifies the difference. Kilowatts per hour is the number of kilowatts put into the car's battery per hour. An automobile consumes an average of 7.2kWh of energy on a home system with a level 2 EV charger. Because most plug-in electric vehicles have a charging capacity of 50kW, a full charge on V2 electric car charging equipment might take up to 7 hours.

For example, one charging station network costs $1.50 per hour for level 2 charging and requires a monthly membership fee. The normal charge time for a fully charged electric vehicle on a level 2 system is about seven hours. This means that a full charge will cost you $11 on this network. When you compare this to the average cost of at-home charging equipment for an electric car, you'll notice that charging at home saves you around 50%!

Furthermore, the cost of electricity for businesses is higher than the cost of electricity for residential users. Paying for energy outside of the house is currently a good option if you need it urgently, but the cost of charging outside of the house or at work is much more than charging at home with a high-quality, level 2 charger. Investing in a home EV rapid charging station may save you time, effort, and money.

Characteristics of the cheapest public EV charging stations

Level 1 EV Charging Stations, Level 2 EV Charging Stations, Level 3 EV Charging Stations: Custom DC EV Charging Stations, Level 1 EV Charging Stations, Level 2 EV Charging Stations, Level 3 EV Charging Stations:

• It has featured such automated full charge, fixed power, limited quantity, and timing, as well as surge avoidance and overcharging protection. • It has a powerful 30 kW DC EV quick charging station.

What are the advantages of PIWIN Energy?

PIWIN is the market leader in electric vehicle charging stations. Our goals are simple: we believe in renewable energy and want to make it accessible to as many people as possible. To do this, we employ our website, user-friendly apps, and exceptional customer service to give high-quality merchandise and a great customer experience to our customers. All major electric car manufacturers are compatible with PIWIN's products, and you may check compatibility before you purchase. It's time to invest in a DC charging station!

Conclusion

If you've just acquired an electric vehicle (EV), you've probably noticed that your new car is unlike any other: it runs on electricity rather than gasoline. It is, however, not a conventional appliance. Your electric vehicle is your source of transportation, and it needs steady power. An EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment), often known as an electric vehicle charging station, may provide energy to your electric vehicle in the same manner that gasoline fuels a gasoline-powered car. You'll be ahead of the game when it comes to battery replacement if you're lucky enough to be able to charge your EV for free at work or for a cheap fee at home. PIWIN ENERGY offers the most affordable Public EV Charging Stations with the highest quality.

Efficiency: DC charging stations are increasingly integrated with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, enhancing the sustainability of EV charging.