How Much Does Overnight EV Charging Add to Your Electric Bill?
Last updated: October 2025
Discover the real cost of charging your electric vehicle overnight and learn how to minimize the impact on your monthly electric bill with smart charging strategies.
Overnight home charging typically adds about $30–90 per month at off-peak rates for ~1,000 miles/month (varies by efficiency and local prices). On regular/peak rates, costs can be roughly 1.5–2× higher. Always check your own plan and scheduled charging options.
Monthly cost ≈ (miles per month ÷ mi/kWh ÷ 0.90) × price ($/kWh). Example: 1,000 ÷ 3.5 ÷ 0.90 × $0.12 ≈ $38.
| Vehicle Type | Assumed Efficiency | Off-Peak ($0.08/kWh) | Regular ($0.15/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact EV | 4.0–4.5 mi/kWh | $20–22 | $37–42 |
| Mid-size EV | 3.2–3.8 mi/kWh | $23–28 | $44–52 |
| Large EV / SUV | 2.5–3.0 mi/kWh | $30–36 | $56–67 |
| Electric Truck | 2.0–2.6 mi/kWh | $34–44 | $64–83 |
Compact EV
Mid-size EV
Large EV / SUV
Electric Truck
Calculations include ~10% AC charging losses (efficiency = 0.90). Costs scale linearly with miles (e.g., 1,500 mi ≈ ×1.5). Local rates may be above or below the example values.
Off-Peak Hours
11 PM - 7 AM
$0.06-0.12/kWh
Best time for EV charging
Mid-Peak Hours
7 AM - 4 PM, 9 PM - 11 PM
$0.12-0.18/kWh
Moderate charging cost
Peak Hours
4 PM - 9 PM
$0.20-0.35/kWh
Avoid charging during this time
Many U.S. utilities set peak between 4–9 p.m., with off-peak overnight; some regions also offer mid-day super off-peak. Time-of-use rates vary by utility company and region. Contact your electricity provider to learn about available EV charging rates in your area.
Example 1: Tesla Model 3 (Long Range)
Battery Size: 75 kWh
Efficiency: 4.2 miles/kWh
Monthly Driving: 1,200 miles
Energy Needed: 286 kWh/month
Off-Peak Rate: $0.09/kWh
Monthly Cost: $25.74
vs. Peak Rate ($0.25/kWh): $71.50
Savings: $45.76/month
With 0.90 AC efficiency: ~318 kWh from wall → ~$28.6 off-peak; ~$79.5 peak.
Example 2: Ford F-150 Lightning
Battery Size: 131 kWh
Efficiency: 2.4 miles/kWh
Monthly Driving: 1,000 miles
Energy Needed: 417 kWh/month
Off-Peak Rate: $0.08/kWh
Monthly Cost: $33.36
vs. Peak Rate ($0.22/kWh): $91.74
Savings: $58.38/month
With 0.90 AC efficiency: ~463 kWh from wall → ~$37.0 off-peak; ~$102.0 peak.
Switch to Time-of-Use Rates
Contact your utility to enroll in EV-specific or time-of-use rate plans that offer lower overnight rates.
Use Smart Charging Timers
Set your EV or charger to automatically start charging during off-peak hours (typically 11 PM - 7 AM).
Charge to ~80% for Battery Longevity
Charge to ~80% for battery longevity; dollar costs are driven mainly by miles and kWh price.
Install Solar Panels
Generate your own electricity during the day and use stored energy or net metering credits for overnight charging.
Optimize Charging Speed
Use Level 2 charging (240V) for efficiency. Slower charging is often more energy-efficient than rapid charging.
Monitor Your Usage
Track your charging patterns and costs using your utility's app or smart charger data to identify optimization opportunities.
Consider Load Management
Consider load management to stay within your circuit/panel limits. Residential customers rarely face demand charges; check your utility.
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