As it is easier to work out how much it will cost to top up your car with fuel, the main question on many people’s minds is ‘how much is it to charge an electric vehicle?’ We have created a guide on how you can charge your electric vehicle and an idea of these costs.
According to the latest RAC Report on Motoring, almost 8 in 10 motorists believe that electric vehicles (EVs) are too expensive. Although EVs are expensive to buy, the overall purchase balances out with the lower running costs compared to fuel powered vehicles.
These lower costs are due to the fact that it is cheaper to charge up the car’s battery compared to filling up the tank with petrol or diesel.
The Costs of Charging An Electric Car At Home
If you are considering charging your electric car at home, you will first need to consider the costs of installing a wallbox charger. The prices of these charges can vary between £400 up to £1,500 on top of installation fees depending on the power output required to charge your car. Although this may seem like an extra expense on top of the cost of purchasing your vehicle, this purchase will be worth it in the long term.
After you purchase your electric vehicle you may be able to get a wall box cheaper from the manufacturer of this car. Alternatively, when you visit your local dealership you can speak with the dealer and see if they will consider adding the charger to the price of the car if it isn’t already included. At Carlover we have a range of cars for sale across NI that are kinder to the environment. These are from major brands, including Audi, Mercedes, Tesla and BMW.
The Costs of Charging An Electric Car At A Public Charging Point
Charging your electric vehicle at a public charging point can be less straightforward compared to charging it at home as charges can vary. Although a majority of public charging points come with a fee, there are a number of chargers that can be used free of charge. These can be found at supermarkets, hotels and other areas within the city centre.
When you are out on the road, you are most likely to find a 7kW charger, which is the cheapest solution when your car is running low on battery. Rapid chargers usually cost more money, however these are ideal when you are in a hurry as they charge your car at a faster rate.
Some of these chargers may require you to register an account to use their services and add money to your account. Alternatively charging points are beginning to offer pay-as-you-go services that will allow you to pay through with a contactless credit or debit card.
The Costs of Charging An Electric Vehicle on the Motorway
Similar to topping up your car with fuel, charging an EV at a station on the motorway will cost you more compared to charging it at home or in the city centre. This is because charging points are less common on the motorway and the price of their kWh is usually higher.
Compared to most public charging points, the motorway has a higher number of rapid chargers compared to other locations. This means you can charge your car faster when you are in a rush to reach your final destination. It is important to bear in mind that these chargers have a time limit for their usage so they can be used by other drivers with EVs.
For Tesla drivers, you will be glad to hear that you can find a Supercharger at most motorway stations. Older models of these cars come with a free Supercharger use, however newer models made after 2016 do not have this luxury. These models have a set amount of mileage credits annually that are free of charge.
At Carlover we have a range of electric cars for sale NI at dealerships in a range of locations, including Belfast, Derry, Newry, Armagh, Enniskillen and Cookstown. Whether you are a first time EV buyer or you are keen to upgrade your current model, we have something to suit everyone’s needs.
For more information on the used cars across Northern Ireland dealerships, get in touch with a member of our team today for more information. Alternatively you can visit our website to browse the used cars we currently have in stock.
