Photo Credit: iStockFor many electric vehicle drivers, the cheapest place to charge is still at home, and a Reddit post out of California shows how quickly public rates can upend that math.What happened?In a Reddit discussion in r/ElectricVehicles, a California EV driver asked what price would make other owners stop using public chargers. "In California, public charging rates can be extremely high, often it's $0.50/kWh. My home rate is $0.29/kWh," the original poster said. "$0.30 is basically my limit."AdvertisementAdvertisement"One cent over your home rate?" a Reddit user reacted. "That's like expecting restaurants to charge the same as it costs you for ingredients."The OP later clarified that the question was about public Level 2 charging rather than DC fast charging, or "charging that is typically somewhere the car will be left for more than 2 hours or overnight."A common response was that public charging prices barely enter the calculation for people who mostly plug in at home. One commenter replied, "I only fast charge on road trips so I don't care too much.""If im pulling up to the fast charger its either that or never make it home," another person added.Why does it matter?Public rates are more steep in some areas than others, so home charging costs varied widely in the replies. AdvertisementAdvertisementOne commenter said their overnight home rate is "0.091/kWh." Another person described much higher costs in the OP's SoCal area. For many drivers with home access, that means public charging is more of a travel expense rather than part of the daily routine."When at home plug in," a user explained. "When traveling far enough you need a charge, charge. The cost per kWh isn't a factor."For drivers who depend more heavily on public infrastructure, including apartment residents, higher public rates can make EV ownership harder to budget for and erode one of the major financial advantages of going electric.What can I do?Many commenters said they are willing to pay more for fast charging on road trips because it serves a different purpose of getting them back on the road rather than replacing low-cost overnight charging.AdvertisementAdvertisementOne commenter said convenience still won out even at "$0.65/Kwh," but they still regretted not checking the price first. Another said, "Proximity to food and bathrooms is more important to me than the $4 I might save."Some commenters said they charge almost exclusively overnight, and others look for lower-priced public charging sessions during off-peak hours.Ultimately, if you have an EV, balancing convenience and speed when you consider where to charge can help you figure out what the best strategy is for you and your vehicle.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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