How Much Does It Actually Cost to Charge an Electric Vehicle in Ontario?

One of the most common questions from prospective EV buyers in Ontario is: "How much will it cost to charge?" The answer depends on where and when you charge, but the savings compared to gasoline are substantial.

Home Charging Costs in Ontario

Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates

Most Ontario residential customers are on Time-of-Use pricing:

• Off-peak (7pm - 7am weekdays, all day weekends): 8.7¢/kWh
• Mid-peak (7am - 11am, 5pm - 7pm weekdays): 12.2¢/kWh
• On-peak (11am - 5pm weekdays): 18.2¢/kWh

Real-World Example: Tesla Model 3

A Tesla Model 3 Long Range has a 75 kWh battery and ~500 km range.

Charging off-peak:

• Full charge: 75 kWh × $0.087/kWh = $6.53
• Cost per km: $6.53 ÷ 500 km = $0.013/km
• Annual cost (20,000 km): ~$260

Charging on-peak:

• Full charge: 75 kWh × $0.182/kWh = $13.65
• Cost per km: $0.027/km
• Annual cost (20,000 km): ~$540

Public Charging Costs