As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction across Canada, more drivers are considering the switch from gasoline to electric. One of the most common and practical questions potential EV buyers ask is: how much does it cost to charge an electric car in Canada?
Limited Time Automotive Amazon DealsThe answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on several factors including your province, electricity rates, vehicle type, and charging method. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down the cost of charging an EV in Canada—whether you’re charging at home, at a public station, or using a high-speed DC fast charger.
Before diving into the cost, it’s important to understand the three main types of EV charging available:
Each method has a different cost structure, with Level 1 and Level 2 typically being the cheapest (especially at home), and DC fast charging being more expensive per use.
The majority of EV drivers in Canada do their charging at home, especially overnight. To calculate your home charging cost, you can use a simple formula:
Let’s break it down with a real-world example:
| Province | Avg. Rate ($/kWh) |
|---|---|
| Quebec | $0.073 |
| BC | $0.113 |
| Ontario (off-peak) | $0.081 |
| Alberta | $0.18–$0.25 (market rate) |
| Nova Scotia | $0.18 |
| Manitoba | $0.097 |
77.4 kWh × $0.073 = $5.65
That $5.65 gives you almost 480 km of driving range. That works out to just 1.2 cents per kilometre—a huge savings compared to gas.
Even in provinces with higher electricity rates like Alberta:
77.4 kWh × $0.22 (avg.) = $17.02
Still cheaper than gas, especially when considering gas prices regularly hover between $1.50–$1.80/L across much of Canada.
Level 2 public chargers are widely available in urban areas, malls, workplaces, and parking garages. These are often operated by networks like:
Charging your Nissan Leaf (40 kWh battery) from 0–100% using a Level 2 charger at $0.20/kWh:
40 kWh × $0.20 = $8.00
This gives around 240 km of range, or 3.3 cents/km.
Note: Some public chargers are free, especially in smaller municipalities or corporate lots trying to incentivize EV use.
DC fast chargers are ideal when you’re in a rush or on a road trip. These chargers can refill your battery from 10% to 80% in about 30–40 minutes, depending on the vehicle.
But they come at a premium.
Charging a Ford Mustang Mach-E (91 kWh battery) from 10% to 80% (~64 kWh) at $0.50/kWh:
64 kWh × $0.50 = $32.00
That’s about 360 km of range—translating to 8.8 cents/km. Still more affordable than gas, but less economical than home charging.
Many provinces and municipalities offer incentives to make EV charging more affordable. These include:
Also, many employers offer free Level 2 charging at office parking lots, which can offset your overall charging costs significantly.
Let’s compare apples to apples:
Conclusion: EVs cost 85% less per kilometre to operate compared to gas vehicles. Over the course of a year (20,000 km), that’s over $2,300 in fuel savings.
Charging an electric vehicle in Canada is not only more environmentally friendly, it’s significantly cheaper than fueling with gasoline—especially if you charge at home. While fast charging on the road is more expensive, it’s still cost-effective in the big picture, and home charging remains the gold standard for EV affordability.
As Canada moves towards electrifying its transportation system, the cost advantages of EVs are becoming clearer every day. If you’re considering going electric, know that not only will you be helping reduce emissions, but you’ll also be saving thousands of dollars in fuel over the life of your car.
Ready to calculate your own EV charging costs? All you need is your car’s battery size and your local electricity rate. Once you crunch the numbers, you’ll see why more and more Canadians are plugging in and never looking back.
