Electrify America announced Wednesday it is moving all of its Level 3 fast charging CCS and CHAdeMO stations in Florida to a per kilowatt pricing structure. Previously, customers were charged by the minute.
Many electric vehicle owners had argued that per minute pricing was unfair because EVs absorb electricity at different speeds. Electrify America had tiered pricing to try to account for the differences in recharging times, but drivers on the slow side of those tiers ended up paying more than drivers on the fast side of a tier.
Like gasoline, kilowatt pricing varies based on a charging station’s location, but Electrify America said the per kilowatt-hour rates will start as low as 31 cents.
To put that pricing in perspective, a Mini Cooper SE EV needs about 31 kilowatts to go 100 miles, according to the EPA, which works out to $9.61 at 31 cents per kilowatt.
The EPA estimates the Cooper S gasoline version needs 3.3 gallons to go the same distance, which at $2.10 per gallon, adds up to $6.93.
However, most EV drivers only use Level 3 quick charging on road trips because it’s usually easier and cheaper to plug-in at home or at slower Level 2 chargers around Jacksonville.
Level 2 charging usually costs significantly less than Level 3 charging – and at a few locations is free.
Using the MINI as an example again, the EPA estimates the average gasoline Cooper S driver will pay more than double the fuel costs of an Cooper SE EV driver at $600 per year versus $1,400.
Another big player in the EV charging arena, EVgo, recently dropped its per-session fee for guests, as competition between charging companies begins to intensify.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
