1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

How much it cost to charge 2017 Prius Prime at home?

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by aroldanf, May 14, 2018.

  1. aroldanf

    aroldanf New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2018
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Newton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I would like to know if it is worth it to charge my 2017 Prius Prime at home.
    According to another post that I found in this PriusChat, it doesn't seem to be worth it.
    Please, advice ASAP.

    Thanks!

    The following is the posting I referred to in the above sentence:

    "First month with 2017 Prius Prime premium model added $69.00 to my current electric bill. It equals to about $2.30 per day. Granted, I did not charge it every day. In December average MPG is 80.4 and Currently in January MPG is 72. If anyone is curious."
     
  2. benagi

    benagi Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    525
    280
    4
    Location:
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Wow, what are you paying for electricity? It only cost me about 50 cents a day or $15/mo here in UT.
     
    mercat68 likes this.
  3. aroldanf

    aroldanf New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2018
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Newton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    How much electricity does it take to fully charge the Prius Prime 2017 battery?
    Perhaps, by knowing this information, I can contact my electricity provider and have a more accurate idea of the cost per charge.
    I'm extremely unknowledgeable when it comes to this subject so any further assistance will be highly appreciated.
     
  4. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    2,325
    1,811
    18
    Location:
    Chicago western burbs
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    $0.44 here to go from nothing to 100%. Price per kW is about 7 cents. There are taxes above that price, though. What are you paying per kW on your bill?
     
  5. aroldanf

    aroldanf New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2018
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Newton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I need to check how our electric bill charges per KW.
    Do you know how many KW it takes to fully charge the Prius Prime 2017 battery?
    Thank you for the information!!!
     
  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,963
    8,839
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You need to know the electricity rate for your house (supply and delivery rate together). The national average is $.12/kWh but can vary vastly depending on where you live. MA is is among the highest rate region, so you can expect above $.20/kWh. At $.20/kWh, you will be paying x6.7kwh if using L1 charger, x6.3 using L2 charger, so expect $1.26 to $1.34 for full charge. For simplicity, if you assume 27 miles EV range full charge, and 54 miles per gallon for HV, if your gas price is more than 2x of your full charge cost ($2.52 to $2.68/gallon compared to $.20/kwh electricity), you are saving by charging at home. Most likely your are very close to break-even point with current gas price in our area.

    That is only cost comparison. There are other benefit of EV driving such as smoother and quieter ride, better acceleration, and above all no emission. Choice is yours.
     
    #6 Salamander_King, May 15, 2018
    Last edited: May 15, 2018
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,686
    48,942
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i pay around 24 cents/kwh, and at around $3.00 currently for gas, it's close to a breakeven. but i have been charging even with lower gas prices because ev driving is much more fun, and benefits everyone.
     
  8. benagi

    benagi Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    525
    280
    4
    Location:
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    From a completely dead battery, I think it’s around 6kwh.
     
  9. aroldanf

    aroldanf New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2018
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Newton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I just received the following information from my electricity provider:
    supplier rate is 12.888 KWH
    Given this information:
    How long would it take to fully charge the Prius Prime 2017 battery with the rate stated above?
     
  10. Dudley1030

    Dudley1030 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2017
    200
    139
    6
    Location:
    Lawrence, KS
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    In Lawrence, KS. Costs me about $0.86 for a full charge(6.3*avg kWH cost). That's $0.136867486 average per kWH at my house. As you can see below, the kWH that is charged almost doubles when you add in all the other charges.

    Winter Period Rate:
    Energy Use
    For the months of October through May:
    $0.075360 per kWh for the first 500 kWh
    $0.075360 per kWh for the next 400 kWh
    $0.061600 per kWh for all additional kWh
    Plus applicable adjustments and surcharges.
    Summer Period Rate:
    Energy Use
    For the months of June through September:
    $0.075360 per kWh for the first 500 kWh
    $0.075360 per kWh for the next 400 kWh
    $0.083127 per kWh for all additional kWh
    Plus applicable adjustments and surcharges.
     
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,963
    8,839
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Your electricity rate has nothing to do with how long it takes (time) to fully charge. It depends on charging method. With car supplied L1 charger plugged into 120v, it will take ~5 hours. If you install 240V L2 charger at home or use most public charge station then ~2 hours to full charge. If your home circuit do not allow full current setting I think 16A for 240V, 12A for 120V, you can reduce it to 8A on car setup, but this will increase the full charge time to longer, can't remember how long but 8+hours, I think.

    BTW, at $0.12888/kWh electricity rate, it will cost you ~$0.86 for full charge the battery from zero EV, certainly cheaper than using gas.
     
    #11 Salamander_King, May 17, 2018
    Last edited: May 17, 2018
  12. aroldanf

    aroldanf New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2018
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Newton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    If I'm understanding the generous feedback that I have received so far, to fully charge my Prius Prime 2017 electric battery I would need x6.7kwh if using L1 charger, x6.3 using L2 charger. What type of charger is the one that comes with the car (that's the one that I use to plug it into the house). Also, how long would it take for each of the 2 choices mentioned above:
    x6.7kwh if using L1 charger
    x6.3 kwh using L2 charger
    What does the "x" mean in front of the number of kwh?
    Could someone help me draft a technically cogent question to provide to my electricity provider so that I can get a clear answer describing the total cost of charging the battery from empty to full?
    Once again, thank you for your generous feedback and patience (given my limited technical knowledge/understanding on this regard)
     
  13. breakfast

    breakfast Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    266
    199
    0
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    bisco has answered the question for you. In your region your electric costs (both supplier and distribution cost - look at your bill) are just about exactly the same as his. around 6.4 kwh at .24 per kwh = a little above $1.50. A charge gives you between 25 and 30 miles (which is around half of what a gallon of gas gives you -- the car runs between 50 and 60 miles per gallon on gas)... So $1.50 of electric for a full charge (which is like a half a gallon of gas) is just like paying $3 per gallon of gas.

    So it's break-even-ish for you in Eastern Massachusetts...
    ...and just ignore that it's way cheaper than gas for people in most other areas of North America :)
     
    Dudley1030 likes this.
  14. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,963
    8,839
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The charging cord that came with the car is for L1 that plugs into household 120V outlet. L2 charger with 240V can also be installed at home, but you will have to have outlet capable of supporting 16A of current, and you will have to purchase L2 level cord. As I stated before, with L1, Prime will take ~5 hours to fully charge from zero EV range. With L2, it is ~2 hours. "x" I put in front of numbers are "multiplication sign". Your electricity rate is per kWh, so you will need to multiply (i.e. times (x)). However, you do not have to provide your electricity provider any of those information. All you need to know is what is the electricity rate your are being charged by the provider which you seems to have already found out to be 12.888 cents per KWH, if I am reading your response in #9 correctly. Again, at $0.12888/kWh electricity rate, it will cost you ~$0.86 for full charge the battery from zero EV. Even if you charge every day, once a day, for a month of charging (that's 30 days of charges), it will cost you ~$25.80/month.
     
    #14 Salamander_King, May 17, 2018
    Last edited: May 17, 2018
  15. MMBH

    MMBH Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2018
    155
    43
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Premium
    I usually drive 27 miles a day round trip for work. If I don't use the heat or A/C I can get back and forth totally on EV.
    It takes my a little over 5 hours and 10 mins for my Prime to charge.
     
  16. Glenn G

    Glenn G Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2018
    117
    63
    0
    Location:
    North Andover
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Thanks for your input, I just bought my Prius Prime Premium. It seems like a great car- compared to my 2015 II (which I also liked) smooth acceleration, good handling, comfortable seats, better visibility, Minus side - small trunk, no spare, only one (smaller) glove box.

    I am an Eastern MA resident and appreciate the electricity vs. gas calculations provided by the above helpful members.
     
  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,963
    8,839
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to PC. Yes, in NE region where electricity is relatively high, running on EV does not save as much. But gas price has been going up. For the first time in my long car ownership, I have a grin in my face when I see a few cents higher numbers driving by a gas station.;)
     
    Dudley1030 likes this.
  18. mercat68

    mercat68 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2016
    300
    215
    1
    Location:
    Mount Airy, MD
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    About 6.5 cents/KWH in north-central Maryland. I think I calculated < 50 cents to fully charge at home. Well worth the cost.
     
  19. SteveMucc

    SteveMucc Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    391
    268
    0
    Location:
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    about 9.5 cents per KW here in KY. About 60 cents or so to charge up. Gas running at $2.70 for a gallon. Gas gives me 60 miles or so on a gallon. Electric gives me 30 or so miles for 60 cents, so doing the math it's about $1.20 in electric for the equivalent of a gallon of gas, so well worth it for me to charge up.
     
  20. Holmesm1

    Holmesm1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2019
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited