Without a doubt, one of the biggest revolutions in transportation over the past decade has been the mainstream adoption of the electric car. Once considered a bit of an eccentric idea, the electric car has since made its mark in our society with over half a million plug-in vehicles on American roads in 2016. In Seattle alone, the number of electric vehicles on the road is expected to be around 12,000 by the beginning of the 2020s. Regardless of the numbers, the future is clear: electric cars are here to stay, and will only become more popular as time goes by.

As more and more people consider buying one, they have many questions, like how powerful a plug-in vehicle can be, and how long they can go on a single charge. One of the biggest concerns people have is how their new electric car might affect their wallet through their electricity bill. This is a fair question, but unfortunately it’s not one that has an easy answer. There are a lot of factors that can affect the economic impact of an electric vehicle. For example, as with gasoline-powered cars, some electric vehicles are more efficient than others, using less energy to travel around town.

How Much Will an Electric Car Cost Me?

Unlike gas, the price of electricity can often fluctuate quite a bit throughout the course of a normal day. At night, electricity tends to be priced pretty cheap. However, charging your electric car during peak hours, such as in the middle of the afternoon, can wind up costing you a bit more. This means that, if possible, waiting to plug in at bedtime can wind up helping to save you a couple of bucks.

Generally speaking, though, an electric car will mean a slight impact on your monthly electric bill. How much? Well, the average price of electricity is right around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The average electric vehicle, driving 15,000 miles, would take about $540 to charge over the course of that year, which works out to $45 a month, which would go right onto your utility bills.

How Much Will It Save Me?

Before you balk at that number, consider this: an average driver, driving 15,000 miles a year. They spend around $117 a month over the course of the last two years. This number is based on the national average of $2.35 per gallon. Since gas in Seattle tends to be a little pricier than the national average, this number might be a little higher.

This means that switching to electric might add to your electric bill. In the long run it will actually save you money – on average, about $70 per month right off the bat.

There’s no need to worry any longer if you’ve been thinking about buying an electric car. It will surely save you.

What Else Can I Do to Lower My Electricity Bill?

In our blog on improving your winter bill, there are plenty of everyday habits you can start implementing. Everything from turning down your water heater to using personal heaters. Also instead of your central heating system can make a difference.

We also encourage homeowners to upgrade their thermostats to schedule when your room is heated or not. Even having energy efficient lights and dimmer switches installed will drive down your costs. Much like buying an electric car, it requires a lifestyle change. Wire Craft can help you install these as well.

Do you have any more questions about electric cars and how they might impact you? Please don’t hesitate to contact Wire Craft Electric today.