Cost of Charging an Electric Car
Electric vehicles are increasingly gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly and economical transportation option. As the number of users grows, one of the most important questions for electric vehicle owners becomes the cost of charging. Let's explore what is involved in the cost of charging an electric vehicle and the factors that affect this cost.
Electricity Prices
The most significant factor determining the cost of charging an electric vehicle at any charging station is the electricity price. Electricity prices can vary depending on the electricity provider, the charging method used, and different tariffs applied for usage over x kWh in residential or commercial settings.
Vehicle Battery Capacity
Each electric vehicle has a different battery capacity. Due to this difference, the amount of energy required and consequently the charging time can vary. For example, the TOGG T10X has a battery capacity of 88.5 kWh, while the KIA EV9 has a battery capacity of 99.8 kWh. The battery capacity determines the amount of energy needed for a full charge of the vehicle.
Charging Methods
Electric vehicles are typically charged using two different methods:
1. Home Charging (Level 1 or Level 2 Charging): Charging done using a standard home outlet (Level 1) or a dedicated EV charging station (Level 2). Level 1 charging is slower than Level 2 charging.
2. Public Charging Stations: These stations are usually available as AC (slow charging) or DC (fast charging). Different charging tariffs apply based on the AC and DC charging power.
Charging Cost Calculation
For example, let's assume the electricity unit price for home charging is 1₺/kWh. The calculation of the cost to fully charge the TOGG T10X's 88.5 kWh battery would be:
Total energy to be charged (kWh) × Electricity unit price (₺/kWh) = Cost
88.5 kWh × 1 ₺/kWh = 88.5₺
Public charging stations may charge a higher fee per kWh. Let's assume it's 3₺ for AC (slow) charging and 5₺ for DC (fast) charging per kWh:
AC Charging ➩ 88.5 kWh × 3 ₺/kWh = 265.5 ₺
DC Charging ➩ 88.5 kWh × 5 ₺/kWh = 442.5 ₺
Cost per kWh
Calculating how much energy an electric vehicle consumes per kilometer is necessary to determine its efficiency and usage costs. This calculation involves information such as energy consumption (kWh/100 km or kWh/km) and battery capacity.
First, you need to know the vehicle's energy consumption. This information can usually be found on the manufacturer's website or based on your recent driving data, typically given in kWh/100 km.
Once you have the energy consumption per 100 km, convert it to kWh per km by dividing by 100:
For instance, the TOGG T10X's average energy consumption is 19.1 kWh/100 km. To calculate per km:
Energy consumption (kWh/km) = (19.1 kWh) / (100 km) = 0.191 kWh/km
To determine the cost per km, you need to know the electricity cost per unit for the charging location. Assume the electricity unit price for home charging is 1₺/kWh:
Cost per km = 0.191 (kWh)/km × 1 ₺/kWh = 0.191₺/km
The charging cost of electric vehicles can vary depending on many factors. Generally, however, the charging cost of electric vehicles is more economical compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.
Taking into account factors such as electricity prices, vehicle type, battery capacity, and charging method, you can determine the most suitable charging strategy based on your personal usage habits.