Demystifying Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Costs

At Drive Electric Minnesota, we continuously seek ways to educate more people about the benefits of electric vehicles. One of the most common questions we receive is, “How much does it cost to install an electric vehicle charging station?” The answer to that question depends on several things, including the use case, upfront costs, ongoing costs, and electricity costs. Our three fact sheets break down these costs to inform households with passenger vehicles, fleets with light-duty vehicles, and fleets with medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on charging and installation costs, cost-saving opportunities, and other considerations. These fact sheets provide valuable information to both seasoned electric vehicle drivers and fleet managers, and others considering a purchase or lease in the future.

Fleet Light-Duty Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Costs

This fact sheet focuses on light-duty fleet vehicles and covers upfront charger costs, ongoing costs, energy charges, and demand charges.

• Upfront charger costs cover the charging and installation costs of Level 2 commercial chargers and direct current fast chargers.
• Ongoing costs provide information on networking fees and general charger maintenance.
• Energy charges outline time-based electric rates utilities provide for electric vehicle charging and the cost savings from using these rates.
• Demand charges explain additional electricity costs from operating electric vehicle chargers for your fleet, and how to lower peak electricity usage.

Four Infrastructure Costs to Consider When Electrifying Medium- and Heavy-Duty Fleets

This fact sheet focuses on medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles, covering upfront charger costs, ongoing costs, energy charges, and demand charges. The fact sheet aims to help fleet managers understand the fueling process for these vehicle and to make the required investments to successfully integrate these vehicles into fleets.

• Upfront charger costs cover the charging and installation costs of Level 2 commercial chargers, direct current fast chargers, and in some cases megawatt chargers, depending on the vehicle type and duty cycle.
• Upfront electricity upgrade costs may be incurred by fleets if they need to be upgrade distribution transformers, substations, or power lines to support the higher power demand from charging their fleets.
• Ongoing costs provide information on networking fees and general charger maintenance.
• Energy charges outline time-based electric rates utilities provide for electric vehicle charging and the cost savings from using these rates.
• Demand charges explain additional electricity costs from operating electric vehicle chargers for your fleet, and how to lower peak electricity usage.

Residential Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Costs

Our residential fact sheet focuses on single-family households looking to add an electric vehicle charger for a future or current electric vehicle. It covers information on the upfront charger and installation costs as well as the ongoing costs associated with home electric vehicle charging.

• Upfront charger and installation costs outline the range of prices for residential electric vehicle chargers and installation based on the features and additional wiring needed.
• Ongoing costs cover the additional charges incurred from electric vehicle charging and provide a price comparison for a general rate versus a time of use rate.

Download the fact sheet

• Fleet Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Costs
• Four Infrastructure Costs to Consider When Electrifying Medium- and Heavy-Duty Fleets  
• Residential Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Costs

Also, check out our Electric Vehicle Incentives Database to see how to save money when purchasing a charging station! And if you’re looking for more step-by-step guidance on selecting and installing a charging station, refer to our Charging Guidance page.