Here’s what I paid at a public DC fast charger recently. It’s so expensive that it’s making me question if EVs are still worth it for long trips. Anyone else feeling the pinch?
I mostly charge at home with my Level 2 charger, but I know what you mean. The few times I’ve used public chargers, the prices are just all over the place. If you rely on them often, the savings from owning an EV really drop.
Have you tried using the Bluedot app? It gives a flat rate of $0.43/kWh for most EVgo and ChargePoint chargers. It’s been a game-changer for me so far.
Fast charging is way too pricey right now. For EVs to compete with gas cars, the rate needs to be under $0.30/kWh—$0.25 would be even better. What you paid is equivalent to driving a big truck. Here’s how I calculate: gallons of gas divided by (price per kWh / miles per kWh) gives you an idea of the ‘MPGe.’
@Quirin
And don’t forget, chargers are often out of the way. Add in all the planning and extra time, and it’s another cost nobody talks about. If you’re only doing short trips, it’s fine. But for long drives, it’s not practical yet.
I’m honestly thinking about getting a second gas car for road trips. Renting is such a hassle, and EVs aren’t ready for this yet. Until there’s a faster charging solution, like battery swaps or something, it feels like we’re stuck.
@Casey
Yeah, having a second car for road trips makes a lot of sense. Hybrids or plug-in hybrids seem like a better deal right now. Maybe check back on EVs in 10 years. I don’t mind the extra planning for trips, but I’m not okay with paying these prices. The charging infrastructure is expensive, and we’ll be footing the bill for a while.
@Casey
Wait, you didn’t realise this before you bought an EV? Didn’t you check how charging works where you usually travel?
Jensen said:
@Casey
Wait, you didn’t realise this before you bought an EV? Didn’t you check how charging works where you usually travel?
Home charging is great, and Tesla Superchargers are okay—still not fast enough, but way better than most others. The issue is that most chargers aren’t 150 kW, even in places like LA.
I totally agree. It’s frustrating how long it takes to set up a home charger. We decided to just buy the unit ourselves because the installation quotes were outrageous. Honda needs to make this process smoother—it’s really ruining the EV experience for us.
I recently did a trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff—about 140 miles each way with a big elevation climb—and it used up almost all my charge, from 95% down to 13%. This car is definitely just for local errands for me. Plus, cruising at 80 mph on the highway eats up so much range. EVs just don’t seem designed for those speeds.
@Peyton
Did you buy it from a local dealership?
Keller said:
@Peyton
Did you buy it from a local dealership?
Yeah, I got it from Earnhardt Honda.
@Peyton
But you knew about the range issues before buying, right?
Jensen said:
@Peyton
But you knew about the range issues before buying, right?
Yeah, I knew.
Here’s a picture I took of the rates at a charger recently. They’re just crazy high.
Not surprising at all—everything at airports is marked up.
I’ve seen rates as high as $0.80/kWh. At that point, it makes me question the whole EV thing. Even with home charging, it’s only good for a second car for short trips. Long drives? Forget it. What if you’re camping and run out of charge? You can’t exactly carry a spare ‘can’ of electricity.
I was so excited for EVs, but after trying public charging, I’m not sure anymore. Plug-in hybrids make way more sense. They get great mileage, and you don’t have to worry about range. For now, I’m sticking with my gas car for longer trips.
@Casey
I’m going to try a local EVgo charger tomorrow to see if this was just a highway issue or if rates are high everywhere. Honestly, the disappointing part wasn’t just the cost but how much less range I got than advertised—almost 30% less.
@Callum
You can check the rates on the EVgo app ahead of time. That might help.
@Callum
It’s always like 30% less than advertised. They test them at slow speeds, on flat roads, with no AC or heating. Then they claim 350 miles per charge. In real-life driving—especially at highway speeds—it’s just not the same.