How much does it cost to charge an electric car? How to save money with smart charging
The cost of charging an electric car is one of the most common questions for those considering driving electric – or already doing so. But the answer is not straightforward. The price varies depending on electricity price, charging location, car model and above all – how smartly you charge.
In this post, we go through:
- What it actually costs to charge an electric car at home
- How much you can save by controlling charging according to the electricity market
- How our charging boxes help you charge smart and green
How much does it cost to charge the electric car at home?
The biggest advantage of having a personal charging box at home is that it is cheaper than charging at public stations. But how much it costs mainly depends on the current electricity price.
Let's say you have an electric car with a 60 kWh battery and the electricity price is 1.50 SEK/kWh:
60 kWh x 1.50 kr = 90 kr for a full charge.
With this, you often get around 350–450 km, depending on the car and driving style. This results in a cost per kilometer of about 2–3 SEK/km – significantly cheaper than gasoline or diesel.
This is how the electricity price varies – every hour
The electricity price changes every hour, every day. It is controlled by supply, demand, weather, and other factors. At night or when it is very windy, the electricity is often cheaper. In the morning and late afternoon, it is the most expensive.
This is where you have a lot to gain. By adjusting the charging to times with low electricity prices, you can halve the cost – or more.
Save money with charging after the stock market
If you charge when the electricity price is lowest (e.g., at night), you can often get away with:
0.50–0.80 kr/kWh – which can provide a full charge for under 50 kr.
To take advantage of this, you need a charging box that can automatically control the charging based on the market price – that is, the spot price on the electricity exchange Nord Pool.
Our charging boxes – smart charging, maximum savings
With our charging boxes, you can easily:
- Set charging to occur only when electricity is cheap
- Track charging history and cost via the app
- Automate all charging so you don't have to think about times
- Charge when the electricity is greenest – and cheapest
You can also choose to control based on both electricity price and availability of green electricity – perfect for those who want to reduce climate impact while saving money.
Example: This much you can save every year
Let's take an example. You drive about 15,000 kilometers per year with a consumption of 2 kWh per kilometer. This means that you consume around 3,000 kWh per year to charge your electric car.
If you always charge at 1.50 SEK/kWh: 3000 x 1.50 = 4500 SEK/year
If you charge smart with spot price at an average of 0.80 SEK/kWh: 3000 x 0.80 = 2400 SEK/year
So you save up to 2100 SEK per year – just by charging smart.
How much does a charging box cost?
A common question is also: how much does a charging box cost? The price varies depending on the model and features. With us, a complete charging box costs from about 7000 kr, and you can expand with multiple outlets or customize the front as needed.
If you choose our most advanced model with 2 type-2 and 2 schuko sockets, you get full flexibility for multiple vehicles and can still control all charging according to the electricity price. It is perfect for households with several electric cars or plug-in hybrids.
Green Technology deduction lowers the cost
You can use the Green Technology Deduction when you buy and install a charging box, which gives you a 50% discount on both hardware and installation. The deduction is applied directly on the invoice.
Summary: What does it cost to charge an electric car?
- A full charge costs between 45–100 SEK depending on the electricity price
- You can save thousands per year by charging at night or during low-price periods
- With our charging boxes, you control the charging automatically according to the stock market
- The installation is simple and approved for tax deduction
Do you want to know more about how our charging boxes work, or get a quote including installation? Email us at info@optipilot.se and we will tell you more.
Ready to start charging smart?
Invest in a charging box that does the job for you. With spot price control, app control, and future-proof hardware, you are ready for both today's and tomorrow's electric car charging.
Charge smart. Charge green. Charge cheaper – with our charging boxes.