The growing interest in sustainable mobility has prompted many people to consider purchasing an electric car. However, one of the most common doubts is about the costs associated with recharging these vehicles, compared to internal combustion vehicles. In this article we will delve into all the aspects you need to know to accurately calculate how much it costs to recharge an electric car and what advantages it offers over traditional vehicles.
Cost of recharging an electric car
One of the first questions that comes to mind when thinking about an electric car is whether recharging will be cheaper than filling up a tank of petrol or diesel. The answer, in most cases, is yes. To begin with, with a conventional car it is very easy to calculate the cost of a journey; you simply multiply the consumption in litres per 100 kilometres by the price of a litre of fuel. But how do you do this in the case of an electric car?
The procedure is similar, but instead of liters of fuel, we use kilowatts per hour (kWh), which is the unit of measurement for electricity. On average, an electric utility vehicle consumes between 12 and 30 kWh per 100 kilometers, although these figures can vary depending on the weight of the vehicle, driving style or road conditions.
Consumption variables in an electric car
The consumption of an electric vehicle depends on several factors:
- Vehicle weight: A heavier car will require more energy to move.
- Driving style: Sudden acceleration consumes more energy.
- Speed: Driving at 120 km/h is not the same as driving at 50 km/h. The higher the speed, the higher the energy consumption.
- Vehicle load: Carrying additional loads affects consumption.
Broadly speaking, the consumption of a standard electric car travelling 100 kilometres could range between 12 and 30 kWh, with an average of 15 kWh. From here, we can make calculations related to the different types of electricity rates available.
Electricity rates for recharging an electric car
In Spain, electric car charging can be managed under different types of electricity tariffs, which will allow optimizing the cost according to the charging schedule. There are mainly three types of tariffs:
- Tariff 2.0 A: This is the standard rate, with no time discrimination. The price per kWh is fixed throughout the day.
- Time-of-use rate: It offers a lower price during off-peak hours, which are usually in the early morning. During peak hours the price is higher.
- Electric Vehicle Rate (2.0 DHS): This is the special rate for electric vehicles, with lower prices at night, from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m.
According to the most recent calculations, the electric vehicle tariff can significantly reduce the cost of recharging. In this case, recharging our electric car during off-peak hours (1h to 7h) could be up to a third cheaper than doing so during the rest of the day.
Real example of consumption and potential savings
Let's take as an example an electric car that consumes 12 kWh per 100 kilometers and travels 1.500 kilometers per month. If you choose the electric vehicle tariff and a contracted power of 3,45 kW, the annual cost of charging will be around €372,55. This is equivalent to paying approximately €1,91 per 100 kilometers driven.
Comparing this value with combustion cars:
- A diesel car that consumes 6 litres per 100 km, with a price of 1,07 euros per litre, has a cost per kilometre of 6,46 euros.
- A petrol car, with an average price of 1,20 euros per litre and a consumption of 6 litres per 100 km, costs 7,20 euros.
The costs of recharging an electric car are therefore significantly lower than those of refuelling a conventional car. Up to five times cheaper in some cases!
What if you need a quick recharge?
Despite the low costs, one of the disadvantages of charging an electric car at home is the time. A full recharge of a battery can take several hours if we use a domestic socket (type 2). For those with less time, public charging stations offer fast chargers that can complete a recharge in a couple of hours or even less, depending on the technology used.
However, the disadvantage of fast charging is that the price per kWh is usually much higher. At a public charging station, the price can vary between 0,30 and 0,70 euros per kWh, which significantly increases the cost of each charge.
Financing and aid for the purchase of electric cars
One aspect we shouldn't ignore is that, although the initial cost of electric cars is higher, there are grants and subsidies available to offset that difference. For example, the Moves III Plan in Spain offers subsidies of up to €7.000 for the purchase of electric vehicles and covers up to 70% of the installation of home charging points.
In addition, banks are also offering green loans at preferential rates to encourage the purchase of such vehicles. One example of this is the Bigbank green loan, with remarkably low interest rates for the purchase of an electric or hybrid car.
Considerations for installing chargers
Installing a home charging point is also an important factor. The cost of this installation can range from €500 to €1.500, but it pays for itself quite quickly thanks to the savings on each charge, and as mentioned before, the Moves III Plan offers subsidies to cover part of the cost.
For those living in residential buildings, Spanish law guarantees the possibility of installing these charging points in communal garages, provided that the community of neighbours is properly informed.
Overall, with the right combination of electricity rates and subsidies, using an electric car can be significantly more economical in the long term compared to internal combustion vehicles.
Electric cars are not only an environmentally friendly alternative, but also a more economical solution for many people, provided that charging costs are optimised through smart tariffs and state subsidies.