Energy Calculators

Level 2 home charger payback

Estimate how many years a Level 2 home charger takes to pay back versus how you charge today.

For a Tesla Model Y driven 12,000 miles a year that currently charges 50% at public stations at an example 45¢/kWh, switching to home Level 2 charging at the U.S. average of 18.16¢/kWh (EIA, August 2026) saves about $429.15 a year, paying back an example $1,500 installation in 3.5 years.

Pre-fills the average residential price (EIA).

kWh/100 mi
mi
How you charge today
%

The rest is assumed to be Level 1 (120 V) at home.

¢/kWh

Example value; enter what your network charges.

%
With a Level 2 charger
¢/kWh
%
$

Use your electrician’s quote.

Simple payback
3.5 years
Savings per year
$429.15
Charging today
$1,095per year
With Level 2
$665.87per year

Formula: energy = miles × kWh/100 mi ÷ 100; today = energy × (public share × public price + home share × home rate ÷ Level 1 efficiency); Level 2 = energy × home rate ÷ Level 2 efficiency; payback = installed cost ÷ (today − Level 2).

Inputs used: energy: 3,300 kWh/year; public: 50% at 45¢/kWh; home rate: 18.16¢/kWh; efficiency: L1 85%, L2 90%; cost: $1,500.

These are estimates, not financial advice.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Aug 2026). About our data

Worked examples in three states

Tesla Model Y, 12,000 miles a year, other inputs as above (example values).

StateHome rateSavings/yrPayback
Hawaii47.18¢/kWh-$71.59never
Alabama16.33¢/kWh$460.733.3 years
Nevada12.72¢/kWh$523.022.9 years

How we calculate

energy = miles × kWh/100 mi ÷ 100; today = energy × (public share × public price + home share × home rate ÷ Level 1 efficiency); Level 2 = energy × home rate ÷ Level 2 efficiency; payback = installed cost ÷ (today − Level 2). EV efficiency from EPA ratings; home rates from EIA; public price, charging split and installed cost are example values.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Level 2 charger save money?

Mainly by replacing more expensive public charging with home electricity, and slightly by losing less energy than 120 V Level 1 charging. If you already charge almost entirely at home on Level 1, the savings are small and the main benefit is speed.

What does a Level 2 installation cost?

It depends mostly on the distance from your electrical panel and whether the panel has spare capacity. The default here is an example value; enter your electrician’s quote.

Which electricity rate should I use?

Your home rate, ideally including any EV or time-of-use plan. The state average (U.S. 18.16¢/kWh in August 2026) is pre-filled from EIA.

Data last updated: