Hidden Costs of Public EV Charging
An analysis of public EV charging costs highlights numerous hidden fees that surprise drivers, including taxes, session fees, and state-levied annual EV fees. This information can be a valuable tool for electricians to educate customers on the long-term savings of installing a home charging station.
Charging at home can be two to three times cheaper than using public stations. The average cost for home charging is around 17 cents per kWh, while public chargers average about 37 cents per kWh. For an average EV driver covering 12,200 miles annually, exclusively using public charging could cost nearly $1,600, about $850 more than charging at home. Beyond the per-kWh rate, many public networks add extra charges. These can include per-session flat fees, minimum/maximum fee requirements, and idle fees, which penalize drivers for staying plugged in after their vehicle is full. Overstay rates can range from $0.40 to $1.00 per minute. In Minnesota, EV drivers face escalating state-mandated fees. A previous $75 annual surcharge has at least doubled to a minimum of $150, with owners of more expensive models paying more based on the vehicle's MSRP. This makes Minnesota's combined EV fees and taxes the highest in the nation for a driver who relies on public charging. Starting in 2027, Minnesota will also levy a 5-cent-per-kilowatt-hour tax on electricity sold at public fast chargers with a capacity over 50 kilowatts. This new tax is intended to offset lost gas tax revenue and contribute to road and infrastructure funding. For commercial operators of DC fast chargers, "demand charges" can be a significant hidden cost, sometimes making up over 50% of a station's electricity bill. These fees are based on the peak electricity usage during a billing cycle and can amount to thousands of dollars per month, a cost often passed on to drivers.
