Cost Difference Between AC Level 2 and DC Fast Charging
Understand the significant cost differences between Level 2 AC charging and DC fast charging, and learn when each charging method makes financial sense.
Last updated: October 2025
Home Level-2 is usually the lowest cost; public DC fast is the quickest but typically costs more per kWh. Use Level-2 for routine charging and DC fast for trips or time-sensitive top-ups.
| Charging Method | Power Level | Cost per kWh | 75 kWh Battery | Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 AC (Home) | 7-22 kW | $0.10-0.20 | $7.50-15.00 | 4-8 hours |
| Level 2 AC (Public) | 7-22 kW | $0.20-0.35 | $15.00-26.25 | 4-8 hours |
| DC Fast (50 kW) | 50 kW | $0.25-0.40 | $18.75-30.00 | 60-90 min |
| DC Fast (150 kW) | 150 kW | $0.30-0.50 | $22.50-37.50 | 30-45 min |
| DC Ultra-Fast (350 kW) | 250-350 kW | $0.40-0.60 | $30.00-45.00 | 15-25 min |
Level 2 AC (Home)
Level 2 AC (Public)
DC Fast (50 kW)
DC Fast (150 kW)
DC Ultra-Fast (350 kW)
*Costs vary by location, network provider, and time of day. Some networks charge by time instead of energy.
- Home Level-2: You pay for wall energy. Include ~10% charging losses → use efficiency = 0.90 in estimates.
- Public DC fast: Most networks bill per delivered kWh → use efficiency = 1.00 for a simple estimate. Some regions bill per minute.
- Home (residential): ~$0.17–$0.18/kWh national average; your state may be lower/higher.
- Public Level-2: often ~$0.20–$0.40/kWh (plus possible session/parking fees).
- DC fast: commonly ~$0.40–$0.65/kWh before fees; membership plans can reduce the rate.
- Home $0.15/kWh, efficiency 0.90 → ≈ $48–$50/month.
- Home $0.18/kWh, efficiency 0.90 → ≈ $57–$58/month.
- DC fast $0.55/kWh (eff. 1.00) → ≈ $157/month.
- Blended (70% home @ $0.18, 30% DC @ $0.55) → ≈ $86–$95/month.
- Cost per mile = Price ÷ (mi/kWh × efficiency).
- Monthly cost ≈ (miles/month ÷ mi/kWh ÷ efficiency) × Price.
- Example: 1,000 ÷ 3.5 ÷ 0.90 × $0.15 ≈ $47.6.
Daily Commuter (Tesla Model Y)
Daily Driving: 50 miles
Energy Needed: 12.5 kWh/day
Monthly Energy: 375 kWh
Level 2 Home: $37.50-75.00/month
DC Fast Only: $93.75-225.00/month
Extra Cost: $56.25-150.00/month
Road Trip Scenario (Ford Mustang Mach-E)
Trip Distance: 800 miles
Energy Needed: 200 kWh
Charging Sessions: 3 stops
Level 2 (if available): $20.00-40.00
DC Fast Charging: $50.00-120.00
Convenience Premium: $30.00-80.00
Infrastructure Costs
- DC fast chargers cost $50,000-150,000+ to install
- Require expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades
- Need specialized cooling and power management systems
- Higher maintenance and operational costs
Demand Charges
- Utilities charge based on peak power demand
- High-power charging creates expensive demand spikes
- Network operators pass these costs to consumers
- Convenience premium for fast charging speed
Use Level 2 AC Charging When:
- Charging at home overnight
- Parking for 4+ hours at work or shopping
- Cost is the primary concern
- Daily commuting and routine charging
- Maximizing battery longevity
Use DC Fast Charging When:
- On long road trips between cities
- Emergency charging when battery is low
- Time is more important than cost
- No access to Level 2 charging
- Quick top-up during short stops
- Per-kWh vs per-minute billing (varies by state/regulator).
- Session fees ($/start), idle/congestion fees if you stay after charging ends.
- Memberships/loyalty can lower per-kWh or per-minute prices.
Employer-subsidized charging, promotional free-night plans, complimentary kWh with new-car purchases, or mid-day super off-peak windows (in solar-heavy regions) can beat your home rate.
Schedule home charging for off-peak hours, keep daily charges modest (e.g., to ~80%), and avoid idle fees by unplugging promptly at public sites.
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