Solar vs Grid EV Charging Cost
Panels or the power company? Compare the true cost of charging your EV from solar versus the grid — today, per year and over a decade.
Share of EV energy from your panels.
Grid charging / year
Solar charging / year
Saved / year
Over yrs
Cost per 100 km — solar vs grid
| Charging source | Cost / kWh | Cost / 100 km |
|---|---|---|
| Pure grid | ||
| Solar (amortized) | ||
| Blend (% solar) |
Frequently asked questions
Is solar charging cheaper than grid charging?
Yes — solar electricity costs $0.02-0.06/kWh over the system's life, versus $0.15-0.45/kWh from the grid. Solar can cut EV charging costs by 50-80%.
How much does solar reduce my charging bill?
If solar covers 60-80% of your charging, you save $250-600/year on a typical 15,000 km commute. The rest still comes from the grid.
Should I size solar for the home or the EV?
Ideally both — your home already uses solar, so adding EV needs only ~40-60% more capacity. Sizing for the combined load maximizes self-consumption.
Is grid charging ever cheaper than solar?
On extreme off-peak tariffs (under $0.05/kWh) grid can be similar, but rarely cheaper than solar's lifetime cost. Solar also protects you from rising rates.