With fluctuating high gas prices consumers are more inclined than ever to switch over to electric powered vehicles. Installing a solar system and battery storage can keep the costs to power your home and charge your electric vehicle economic and emission-free. Your solar system can minimize your home electricity and transportation costs!
Standard Charging of an Electric Vehicle
The cost of charging your vehicle will largely depend upon where and when you are charging your car. In California, on TOU EV-A rates, you can recieve a low rate of $0.13 during off peak hours of 11pm-7am.
The Tesla Model 3, for example, has a 50-kWh battery capacity that allows you travel up to 220-mile range. That works out to 4.4 miles of driving per kWh and at an electricity rate of $0.13 (on California’s TOU EV-A rate during off peak hours) you would be paying 2.9 cents per mile.
In comparison, the average fuel efficiency of a new car is 26 miles per gallon. With the average cost of gas at $4.08 per gallon in California the conventional gas car costs 15.7 cents per mile. Paying 2.9 cents per mile with an EV definitely beats 15.7 cents in a gas powered car.
Adding solar to that equation could minimize those costs further. Take a look at the chart above to compare prices per mile vary on an efficient gas vehicle, electric vehicle and a solar powered electric vehicle!
Charging your Electric Vehicle (EV) with FREE Solar Power
You can’t always count on finding a free charging station everywhere you go. Solar panels and electric cars are a perfect match. Powering your electric car with sunshine is a great way to keep your transportation cost efficient and completely emission free.
It’s important to design your solar system with your electric car charging needs in mind. Adding a solar system to power your home and EV needs can allow for homeowners to have an even higher return on your investment. Plug your car in when your solar is producing and fill up your EV for $0 out of pocket. There won’t be a need to search for your nearest free charging center anymore, you have one at home.
Adding a battery to your solar system makes charging your EV with free solar energy even easier. With its smart technology, you can program your battery to save excess energy for your car charging later in the day. This is especially beneficial for EV owners that are only able to charge their vehicles during times of the day that your solar is not producing free solar energy. Battery storage can likewise remove your fear of not being able to charge your vehicle in the case of a power outage. Batteries can top off your car battery to keep your car running whether the sun is down or there’s a blackout.