Cost to run a ev charger (level 2)
Short answer
Running a ev charger (level 2) (~7200W, ~3 hrs/day) costs about $3.63/day, $110/month, or $1,325/year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh.
Wattage
7200 W
Per day
$3.63
Per month
$110
Per year
$1,325
Figures assume ~7200W for ~3 hours a day at the U.S. average 16.8¢/kWh. Your state's rate and your real usage change the total — enter both in the calculator.
What makes a ev charger (level 2) cost what it does
A ev charger (level 2) draws about 7200W and runs roughly 3 hours a day in a typical home. Run the standard formula — watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × your electricity rate — and at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh that's about $3.63/day, $110/month, or $1,325/year.
Two things move that figure most: how many hours it actually runs and what you pay per kilowatt-hour. How many hours it actually runs is the biggest lever on its cost. A ev charger (level 2) nominally at 7200W but used half as often costs roughly half as much — usage, not the nameplate rating, decides the bill.
Your electricity rate does the rest of the work. The same ev charger (level 2) costs about $828/year in a low-rate state like Idaho (10.5¢/kWh) but $3,311/year in Hawaii (42¢/kWh) — roughly a 4× swing for the identical appliance.
What determines the cost
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Wattage | A ev charger (level 2) pulls about 7200W while running |
| Hours of use | Typically ~3 hr/day — double the hours and you double the cost |
| Electricity rate | What you pay per kWh (U.S. average 16.8¢) scales the whole bill |
| Efficiency & age | Newer, Energy-Star models draw less for the same job |
| Settings & duty cycle | How many hours it actually runs is the biggest lever on its cost |
| Standby draw | Many devices keep sipping power even when idle or 'off' |
Cost by electricity rate
Yearly cost to run this ev charger (level 2) at a low, average, and high state electricity rate.
| Rate | Yearly cost |
|---|---|
| Low rate (Idaho, 10.5¢) | $828/yr |
| U.S. average (16.8¢) | $1,325/yr |
| High rate (Hawaii, 42¢) | $3,311/yr |
How to cut what a ev charger (level 2) costs
- Cut runtime first: every hour you don't run the ev charger (level 2) is the cleanest saving, since cost is hours × watts × rate.
- Check your actual electricity rate — if you're above the 16.8¢ U.S. average, the ev charger (level 2) costs more than the headline figure here.
- Unplug the ev charger (level 2) when idle and favor an efficient model — small always-on draws add up over a year.
- Enter your own wattage, hours, and rate in the calculator for a ev charger (level 2) figure tuned to your home.
Your rate & usage
Open the cost calculatorOther appliances
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a ev charger (level 2)?
About $3.63 per day, $110 per month, or $1,325 per year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh, assuming ~7200W for ~3 hours a day.
How many watts does a ev charger (level 2) use?
A typical ev charger (level 2) draws about 7200 watts when running. Your model may differ — check its label or a plug-in power meter and enter the real number in the calculator.
How can I cut the cost of running a ev charger (level 2)?
Run it less, use a more efficient model, and check whether your utility offers cheaper off-peak (time-of-use) rates. Costs also vary 4× by state, so your local rate matters a lot.