Are you thinking of buying an electric vehicle but worried about how much power it will consume? Most EV models take 35-60kWh to achieve a full charge, but a lot depends on your car’s battery capacity.
First, let’s talk about kWh.
What does kWh mean?
A kWh stands for kilowatt Hour, and you see it on your electricity bill because it’s a unit of energy that measures how much electricity you have used.
To break it down, kilo means 1,000, watt is a measure of power, and h is for hour. Therefore, a kilowatt Hour (kWh) means that 1,000 watts are used in an hour. If you’re still a little unsure, you can read more about kWh here.
To calculate how much it will cost to fully charge your EV, simply multiply your electricity rate by the size of your EV battery. Here’s the formula:
EV battery size (kWh) x Electricity rate ($ per kWh) = Total charging cost ($)
How much power will I consume when I charge my electric vehicle?
It’s not easy to calculate how much power you will consume when you charge your electric vehicle because it’s going to vary from person to person. The energy consumption of a car depends on factors like its type, driving frequency, and conditions. For example, a car used for short trips consumes less fuel than one used for long commutes and weekend activities.
On average, a car travels about 14,000 kilometres (km) per year. Remember, this is an average, so you must consider your needs to work this out properly, as it might vary greatly. An electric car’s efficiency averages around 2,400 kWh per year per car. However, not all the car’s energy needs are met at home. Typically, EV drivers rely on fast chargers for about 10% of their energy needs during longer trips, and they will often be charging their cars in public spaces. Although it’s important to note that you might be charged more in public spaces so charging at home might be a better option.
As with all electricity consumption, it’s best to charge your electric vehicle during off-peak times to save as much on your electricity bill as possible. In general, though, the cost to charge your electric vehicle is around 20% cheaper than buying petrol so you will be saving money regardless.
Can you use solar panels to charge your electric vehicle?
For those with electric vehicles (EVs), the prospect of charging them at home using solar panels hinges on a variety of factors but is usually possible. These factors encompass the size of your solar photovoltaic (PV) system, your energy consumption habits, the presence of a battery storage solution, your preferred charging schedule, and the specific make and model of your EV. Speak to your solar installer to find out more about how to make your solar panels work for you if you have an electric vehicle.
Your Solar & Electrical Experts
Established in 2020, Tropical Solar and Electrical Services is a locally owned and operated company servicing homes and businesses throughout Mackay and surrounding areas including Moranbah, Sarina, Proserpine and Rockhampton. Whether it’s power on the roof or within the property, we’ll ensure it’s running as it should. Get in touch with our electrical experts today for a free quote. We’re available 24/7 for your convenience.
