What it costs to charge an electric vehicle depends mostly on where you plug in: at home you pay your utility’s electricity rate, which varies a lot by province, while public fast chargers set their own prices. This page covers home charging costs by province, what drives the cost of a Level 2 home charger, and how public charging is billed. For the full cost of an EV against a gas car (price, insurance, maintenance and resale as well as fuel), see EV vs gas car costs; it is one of the consumer guides for Canadians.
EV Charging in Canada: The Basics
Electric vehicles are charged through three levels of charging:
| Level | Voltage | Charge Rate | Full Charge Time | Where Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (L1) | 120V household outlet | 1.4–1.9 kW | 40–80 hours | Slow charging at a regular outlet |
| Level 2 (L2) | 240V EVSE | 6–11.5 kW | 5–10 hours | Home and workplace charging |
| DC Fast Charge (DCFC) | 480V+ | 50–350 kW | 20–60 minutes | Public highway charging |
Most EV owners who can charge at home use Level 2, plugging in overnight.
Home Charging Costs by Province
Cost to charge a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% (36 kWh added), at each province’s main residential energy rate:
| Province (rate) | Energy rate | Cost to add 36 kWh | About a month, charging once a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec (Hydro-Quebec, first block) | 7.065¢/kWh | $2.54 | $11 |
| Manitoba | 9.97¢/kWh | $3.59 | $16 |
| British Columbia (BC Hydro, step 1) | 11.87¢/kWh | $4.27 | $19 |
| Ontario (ultra-low overnight plan) | 3.9¢/kWh | $1.40 | $6 |
| Ontario (time-of-use, off-peak) | 9.8¢/kWh | $3.53 | $15 |
| Ontario (time-of-use, on-peak) | 20.3¢/kWh | $7.31 | $32 |
| Alberta (Rate of Last Resort, EPCOR area) | 12.01¢/kWh | $4.32 | $19 |
| Nova Scotia | 19.128¢/kWh | $6.89 | $30 |
These are energy charges only, before tax. Fixed monthly charges, delivery charges (large in Alberta) and charging losses come on top, so a real bill runs higher. The monthly column assumes one 36 kWh charge a week (52 charges a year spread over 12 months). Rates come from each utility’s or regulator’s published tariff; Ontario’s time-of-use and ultra-low overnight plans price the same kilowatt-hour very differently depending on the hour, so overnight charging on those plans costs a fraction of on-peak charging. Ontario’s off-peak hours under time-of-use pricing are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Average household electricity bills by province are in average utility bills.
Annual Charging Cost
For a car that uses about 20 kWh per 100 km and is driven 20,000 km a year, that is 4,000 kWh of charging a year (charged at home, energy charges only):
| Province (rate) | Energy rate | Charging cost for 4,000 kWh a year |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec (Hydro-Quebec, first block) | 7.065¢/kWh | $283 |
| Manitoba | 9.97¢/kWh | $399 |
| British Columbia (BC Hydro, step 1) | 11.87¢/kWh | $475 |
| Ontario (ultra-low overnight plan) | 3.9¢/kWh | $156 |
| Ontario (time-of-use, off-peak) | 9.8¢/kWh | $392 |
| Ontario (time-of-use, on-peak) | 20.3¢/kWh | $812 |
| Alberta (Rate of Last Resort, EPCOR area) | 12.01¢/kWh | $480 |
| Nova Scotia | 19.128¢/kWh | $765 |
Gasoline for the same distance usually costs several times more; EV vs gas car costs works through fuel alongside the other running costs.
Level 2 Home Charger Installation
Equipment
| Charger | Amperage | Charge Rate |
|---|---|---|
| ChargePoint Home Flex | 16–48A (adjustable) | 7.2–11.5 kW |
| FLO Home X5 (Canadian brand) | 40A | 9.6 kW |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus | 40A | 9.6 kW |
| Tesla Wall Connector | 48A | 11.5 kW |
What drives the installation cost
- Panel capacity: whether your electrical panel has room for a dedicated 240V circuit, or needs an upgrade (the most expensive case).
- Distance: how far the charger sits from the panel, and whether wiring runs through finished walls or a detached garage.
- Permits: most municipalities require an electrical permit, and a licensed electrician pulls it and does the work.
- Charger choice: hardwired units and higher-amperage chargers can need heavier wiring.
Quotes from two or three electricians show what your own panel and layout need.
Rebates for EVs and Home Chargers
Federal and provincial EV incentives change often; the current programs, and which ones still pay, are tracked in EV rebates in Canada. Some provinces and utilities also offer home charger or energy-efficiency rebates, listed with other home programs in energy rebates by province.
Public Charging Costs
Level 2 public stations (shopping centres, parking, workplaces)
- Billed by the hour, by the kWh, or free (some retailers, employers and municipal lots)
- Slower than fast charging, so mostly used while parked for a few hours
DC Fast Charging (highway networks)
| Network | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | Nationwide |
| FLO | Nationwide |
| Petro-Canada | Trans-Canada highway |
| ChargePoint | Urban and commercial |
| Electrify Canada | Major corridors |
Fast-charging networks price by the kWh, by the minute or by the session, and prices vary by station, time of day and membership plan, with each network’s app showing the current price before you plug in. Per kilowatt-hour, fast charging generally costs several times a home energy rate.
EV Charging in Apartments and Condos
Home charging in multi-unit buildings is more complex:
- Owner: can ask the condo corporation or strata for a dedicated circuit; the approval process depends on provincial condo or strata rules and the building’s bylaws
- Renter: typically needs the landlord’s permission
The condo or strata corporation’s rules and your provincial legislation set what a building has to allow.
Related Articles
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 24, 2026. How we check facts.
- BC Hydro: Residential tiered rate
- Government of Alberta: Utilities Consumer Advocate: Default rates
- Hydro-Québec: Electricity Tariffs Effective April 1, 2026.
- Manitoba Hydro: Residential rates
- Nova Scotia Power: Standard Residential Service Rate| Nova Scotia Power
- Ontario Energy Board: Electricity rates | Ontario Energy Board