How Electric Cars Affect Your Energy Bill: Comparing Usage and Costs to Gas Vehicles
Title: Analyzing the Impact of Electric Cars on Your Energy Bill
Comparing Electricity Usage and Costs with Traditional Gas Vehicles
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, many people are curious about how these cars will impact their energy bills. One user shared their experience after two months of driving an electric car, comparing their electricity usage from March 2018 to March 2017. They found that their daily kWh usage increased by 10 kWh per day, resulting in a $23.31 increase in their monthly bill.
To put this into perspective, they calculated the cost per mile driven for both an electric vehicle and a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle getting 25 miles per gallon (MPG). With gas prices at $2.899/gallon, the ICE vehicle would cost $185.54 or $0.116 per mile for 1,600 miles driven. In comparison, the electric vehicle only cost them $0.015 per mile driven – a significant savings!
Another user pointed out that this equates to 135 Watt-hrs per mile, which is quite impressive. If you were able to maintain this level of efficiency, you could potentially get up to 555 miles per charge.
Monitoring Home Energy Usage and Considering Solar Power
Some users have taken steps to better understand their home energy usage by installing devices like the Sense monitor, which identifies power consumption patterns of different appliances and devices in your home over time. This can help provide a clearer picture of how much electricity your EV uses compared to other household items.
One suggestion for further reducing energy costs is to install solar panels on your home. By generating your own electricity through solar power, you could potentially drive your electric car for free after accounting for installation costs.
Others have noted that their energy bills did not see any unexpected or unreasonable spikes after adding an electric vehicle to their household. Some even reported lower energy costs due to other factors, such as participating in cryptocurrency mining or taking advantage of time-of-use billing.
Exploring Energy Monitoring Options and Reducing Home Electricity Usage
While devices like the Sense monitor can provide valuable insights into your home's energy usage, some users find the cost (around $300 plus installation) to be prohibitive. However, there are alternative options for monitoring specific outlets, such as the Wemo Insight Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring.
In addition to monitoring your EV's electricity consumption, you might also consider ways to reduce your overall home energy usage. This could include upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances, using LED light bulbs, and being mindful of turning off lights and electronics when not in use.
By understanding the impact of electric vehicles on your energy bill and exploring ways to reduce your overall electricity usage, you can enjoy the benefits of driving an environmentally-friendly car while still keeping your energy costs manageable.