How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?

What is the cost of driving 100km in an electric vehicle?

The easiest way to calculate the cost of charging an electric vehicle is to multiply its energy consumption by the price of electricity.

Vehicle energy consumption (kWh/100km) × price per kWh = cost per 100km

Put simply, kWh/100km indicates the amount of electrical energy your vehicle uses to travel 100km. The lower this number, the less electricity the vehicle consumes.

For example, if your vehicle consumes 20kWh/100km and electricity costs you $0.10/kWh, it costs about $2 to drive 100km.

20 x $0.10 = $2.00

The cost per kilometre of an electric car varies depending on the vehicle and the type of charging used: at home or at a public charging station.

A larger-capacity battery may cost more to charge, but it generally allows you to travel a greater distance.

Is an electric car cheaper than a gas-powered car?

An EV can be cheaper to run than a gas-powered vehicle when only the cost of energy is considered.

For comparison, a gas-powered vehicle that consumes 7 to 10L/100km may need about $12 to $18 worth of gas to travel the same distance, depending on the price of fuel.

*Indicative examples based on consumption of 16 to 22kWh/100km for the electric vehicle and 7 to 10L/100km for the gas-powered vehicle. The cost for an EV is based on home charging billed at $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, which corresponds to Hydro-Québec’s residential rate for consumption above 40kWh per day. The cost for a gas-powered vehicle reflects the average price of $1.816 per litre of gasoline in Quebec in August 2026, according to the Régie de l’énergie. Actual costs vary depending on the model, driving habits, electricity rate, and fuel price.

To learn more, read our advice How much does an electric vehicle really cost?

How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?

There is no single price for a full charge. The cost depends on the battery’s capacity, its starting charge level, and where you charge.

Battery capacity, expressed in kilowatt-hours, indicates how much energy the battery can store. However, on its own it doesn’t tell you how much it costs to operate the vehicle.

For example, a 60kWh battery will cost less to charge than a 100kWh battery if the price per kWh is the same. But that doesn’t mean the vehicle with the smaller battery is cheaper to operate; it can generally travel fewer kilometres before it needs to be recharged.

To compare two vehicles, look at their consumption in kWh/100km rather than just their battery capacity.

How much does home charging cost in Quebec?

Home charging is almost always the most economical way to charge an electric vehicle.

According to Government of Quebec estimates, it can add about $300 to $400 per year to your electricity bill for a fully electric vehicle driven 20,000km, when 85% of charging is done at a residential charging station. The amount varies depending on the vehicle’s model and consumption, among other factors.

In Quebec, most homes are served under Hydro-Québec’s Rate D. The price of electricity varies depending on the amount consumed each day: the first kilowatt-hours are billed at a lower rate, then the rate increases slightly beyond that threshold.

Let’s take the example of a 60kWh battery. The cost of a full charge will depend on the consumption tier it falls into. If your home has already reached the first daily consumption tier, the 60kWh added by charging will cost more.

What is the impact of an electric car on your Hydro-Québec bill?

Your electricity bill will generally go up by a few hundred dollars per year. Charging your vehicle adds to the electricity used to heat your home, cook, run your appliances, and meet your household’s other needs.

The amount varies mainly depending on:

• Your vehicle’s energy consumption
• The number of kilometres you drive per year
• Weather conditions
• How often you use public charging stations
• Your charging habits

Battery size mainly affects the cost of a full charge. To estimate your expenses, however, it’s more relevant to look at the vehicle’s consumption in kWh/100km and the number of kilometres driven.

For example, someone who drives few kilometres and charges mostly at home will spend less on electricity than an EV driver who takes long trips, drives frequently in winter or regularly uses fast charging stations.

Overnight or daytime charging: What’s the difference?

Generally, there is no difference between overnight charging and daytime charging in Quebec. The price per kilowatt-hour stays the same for most residential plans.

However, when you choose to charge can increase the strain on the grid, particularly during winter peak periods. Hydro-Québec recommends avoiding peak periods, especially in winter, between 6a.m. and 9a.m., and between 4p.m. and 8p.m., when customers on flexible rate plans pay more.

For many homeowners, overnight charging is also the most practical solution: your vehicle charges while you sleep and is ready to hit the road the next morning.

Tip: If your vehicle allows it, schedule charging outside periods of high demand.

Do you need to install a Level 2 charging station at home?

It isn’t necessary to install a Level 2 charging station at home. An electric vehicle can be plugged into a 120V household outlet if the installation is adequate. However, this option is much slower than a Level 2 charging station.

Tip: if you mainly charge using a 120V outlet, make sure to plug your vehicle into a public Level 2 charging station from time to time to charge all the battery cells evenly.

For daily use, CAA-Quebec recommends a Level 2 home charging station. Faster than a 120V outlet, it recovers more energy while the vehicle is parked and limits reliance on public charging stations. It also promotes more even charging of the battery, which helps slow its natural degradation.

To learn more about costs, selection criteria and installation of a home charging station, read our advice Home EV charging station: Buying and installation guide.

How much does it cost to use a public charging station?

The price of charging at a public charging station varies depending on several factors:

• The network used
• The type of charging station
• The power of the charging station (2 charging options)
• The billing method
• The charging time
• The charging speed
• The amount of energy consumed

In Quebec, you’ll mainly find charging stations on the Electric Circuit, FLO, ChargePoint and Tesla Supercharger networks.

Not all networks use the same billing method, and not all charging stations offer the same power. That’s why charging stations don’t all have the same price. Before you start charging, always check the posted rate and the terms of use.

Depending on the type of charging station used (Level 2 or Level 3, also called a fast-charging station), the cost of charging can be comparable to home charging or noticeably higher, especially at fast-charging stations designed for long-distance travel.

How much does it cost to use a Level 2 (standard) public charging station?

In Quebec, the cost of charging at a Level 2 public charging station is generally fairly affordable. Depending on the network or the station owner, the rate may be calculated per hour, per minute or as a flat fee per session.

Level 2 EV chargers are worthwhile when you plan to stay parked for a while: at the shopping centre, at work, at the hotel or at the restaurant, for example.

They usually recover a few dozen kilometres of range per hour of charging.

How much does it cost to use a Level 3 (fast) public charging station?

The Government of Quebec estimates that a fast charge can cost about $15 to $30. The actual cost varies depending on the network, the power of the charging station, the amount of electricity consumed, and the battery’s charge level.

Fast charging stations, also called Level 3 charging stations, DC fast chargers or direct current fast charging stations (DCFC), are mainly used on long trips.

Their power can vary considerably. Some offer 50kW, others 100kW, 180kW, 350kW or more. However, the vehicle imposes its own charging limit, so a very powerful charging station won’t necessarily let your car charge at that power.

What additional fees may apply at public charging stations?

Depending on the network and the charging station used, you may have to pay:

• Occupancy or idle fees after charging
• Parking fees
• Fees related to certain activation methods
• Fees set out in the network’s terms and conditions

Rates may change without notice. Always check the posted price before you start charging.

Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a public charging station?

In most situations, home charging remains the most economical option. Public charging stations, and particularly fast charging stations, are mostly useful when you’re on the road or need to regain range quickly.

Here are a few examples of costs for a 40kWh charge:

These amounts are approximate. A fast charge may in fact cost more depending on the amount of energy required and the charging station’s power.

Why does charging slow down after 80%?

Charging generally slows down as the battery approaches 80% because the vehicle protects the battery by controlling its temperature and voltage. As the battery fills, the vehicle gradually reduces charging power to avoid overheating. This helps extend the battery’s lifespan.

That’s why the last few percentage points generally take longer than the first. During fast charging, it’s often more efficient to leave once you’ve recovered enough range rather than waiting for the battery to reach 100%.

To learn more, read our advice Public charging stations: A user guide.

* For the EV Circuit 2026, 22 models were put through various tests in optimal road and weather conditions. The event took place on a 230km route from Blue Mountain to Vaughan, Ontario. Energy efficiency, operating cost and fast-charging performance were measured.