How to Avoid Rising Gas Prices with an Electric Vehicle AND Solar
May 3, 2022
2022 has been a rough year for homeowners at the gas pump. Whether you drive a truck or a compact hybrid, rising gas prices have wreaked havoc on budgets—particularly in California and Sacramento, where we’ve recently seen prices above $6 a gallon!
But if there’s one type of vehicle owner who hasn't felt the heat this year, it’s electric vehicle (EV) owners. Today we’re going to explore how affordable it is to own an EV, and how you can take your savings to the next level with solar installation and EV charging right at home.
How Much Can You Save with an Electric Vehicle Right Now?
While the upfront average electric vehicle costs are higher than a gas vehicle, it’s important to factor in your ongoing energy bills: what it costs to fill up your tank every month with gas versus how much it costs to charge your vehicle.
According to a report issued last month by the Zero Emission Transportation Association, the average cost to drive a mile in California was between $0.17 and $0.26 for gas vehicles (depending on whether you drove a Honda Civic or a Ford F-150) compared to just $0.05 to $0.10 for an electric vehicle equivalent!
Now let’s compare annual gas vs electric car cost savings here in California, based on how many miles you drive a month:
600 miles a month = Annual savings of $864-$1,152
1,200 miles a month (the national average) = Annual savings of $1,728-$2,304
1,800 miles a month = Annual savings of $2,592-$3,456
As you can see, upgrading to an electric vehicle can save you thousands every year. But wait! There’s even more savings to be had by adding solar panels and an at-home EV charger in your Sacramento area home.
Solar + Electric Vehicle Charging At Home = More Savings
Solar panels provide completely free, clean electricity for your home, meaning that if you have an electric vehicle as well as an EV charger at home, you can charge it for free—instead of having to pay for your charge at a public EV charging station. Since most people want to charge their electric vehicles overnight, you’ll also want battery storage for your solar PV system. Battery storage allows you to use electricity even when your panels aren’t actively generating it.
Solar panels can dramatically lower or even eliminate your home’s electricity costs. In addition to those savings, based on the same average cost per mile in California listed in the previous section, here’s how much you could save every year with an EV charged for free using solar energy from your home:
600 miles a month = Annual savings of $1,224-$1,872
1,200 miles a month (the national average) = Annual savings of $2,448-$3,744
1,800 miles a month = Annual savings of $3,672-$5,616
Schedule a Free Solar Consultation with Brower
Starting to think that an electric vehicle + solar installation makes financial sense for your home? Reach out to Brower Mechanical today. Since 1979, we’ve been helping homeowners in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt, and the surrounding areas keep energy costs low and comfort high in their homes (and now in their cars, too!).
Get a free solar quote today! Our team will learn more about your home’s current energy usage and any additional add ons you may be planning in the near future, including purchasing an electric vehicle. We’ll be able to show you how much you stand to save—both at the pump and in your home.
