Is a Level 2 EV charger expensive to run?

Charging overnight on a time-of-use plan can cut an EV's home-charging cost substantially. See our EV charging cost calculator for your exact car. At typical use it adds about $144.36 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $100.83 in the cheapest states to $375.45 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a Level 2 EV charger use?

Level 2 EV Charger typically draws about 9,600 running watts. It's a resistive load, so its startup and running wattage are the same. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a Level 2 EV charger use?

At typical use (9,600 W for 3 hours a day), a Level 2 EV charger uses about 29 kWh per day — roughly 876 kWh per month, or about 102% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate — only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a Level 2 EV charger?

Charging overnight on a time-of-use plan can cut an EV's home-charging cost substantially. See our EV charging cost calculator for your exact car. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate — many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours — or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Level 2 EV Charger?

A Level 2 charger is a big load while it runs, but you only pay for the energy your car actually needs — set by how far you drive. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a Level 2 EV charger costs about $144.36/month ($1,732.38/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 3

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a Level 2 EV charger

$1,732/yr

Per day: $4.75
Per month: $144.36
Energy per year: 10,512 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a Level 2 EV charger use?

At 9,600 W for 3 hours a day, a Level 2 EV charger uses about 29 kWh per day — roughly 876 kWh per month and 10,512 kWh per year. That's about 102% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a Level 2 EV charger draws.

Cost to run a Level 2 EV charger by electricity rate

Same 9,600 W appliance, 3 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$100.83	$1,209.93
US average	16.5¢	$144.36	$1,732.38
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$375.45	$4,505.44

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a Level 2 EV charger drawing 9,600 watts for about 3 hours a day costs roughly $4.75 per day, $144.36 per month, and $1,732.38 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Level 2 EV Charger?

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Cost to run a Level 2 EV charger by electricity rate

Frequently asked questions