SMECO charges 18 cents per kWh for a Level 2 charger, which allows a vehicle to pull 7 kW (demand). Using 7 kW for one hour equals 7 kWh. (7 kWh x 18 cents = $1.26 per hour)
If your EV gets roughly 4 miles per kWh, after one hour of charging, 7 kWh will provide 28 miles of travel (7 kWh x 4 miles = 28 miles).
To go on a 100-mile trip, your EV would need to charge for about 3½ hours at a total cost of $4.54 (100/28 = 3.6 hours, 3.6 x $1.26 = $4.54 or 3.6 x 7 x .18 = $4.54).
SMECO charges 34 cents per kWh for a Level 3 DC fast charger, which allows a vehicle to pull 50 kW (demand). Using 50 kW for one hour equals 50 kWh. (50 kWh x 34 cents = $17 per hour)
If your EV gets roughly 4 miles per kWh, after one hour of charging, 50 kWh will provide 200 miles of travel (50 kWh x 4 miles = 200 miles).
To go on a 100-mile trip, your EV would need to charge for ½ hour at a total cost of $8.50 (100/200 = ½ hour, .5 x $17 = $8.50 or .5 x 50 x .34 = $8.50).
A SMECO residential customer is charged about 11.7 cents per kWh (not including the taxes and fees that appear on a monthly bill), so charging your EV at home would cost less. Try the savings calculator on our Electric Vehicle Guide page.
Level 1 EV charging – plug your vehicle into a standard 120-V outlet, similar to plugging in a lamp or a toaster. EV drivers typically plug in at home in a garage or driveway. It takes a long time to charge a vehicle’s battery when utilizing 120-V Level 1 charging, usually 12 hours or more.
Level 2 EV charging – plug into a 240-V outlet, like your electric dryer or stove may use. Some EV owners may install a 240-V outlet in their garage for faster charging. Some businesses may have a Level 2 charging station open to the public. With the voltage and amperage of the Level 2 charger, the EV battery may take 4 to 8 hours to charge. Many publicly available Level 2 chargers are being installed throughout the United States, and there is a movement to install Level 2 chargers at home.
Level 3 charging (also called Direct Current Fast Charging) - Level 3 chargers use three-phase 277/480-V service, which requires a larger transformer and access to three-phase distribution lines. While installing a Level 3 charger is costly, it is the way of the future for faster public charging; a vehicle takes just 30 to 60 minutes to attain a healthy charge.
To use a SMECO EV Recharge station, an EV driver must download the Shell Recharge mobile app and set up an account to pay with a credit card. The app will let you know when your vehicle is finished charging.
