Solar + EV integration
Just a few quick inputs. Get a fast, rough estimate of your annual savings driving an EV, with or without solar, versus a gas vehicle.
This quick tool uses reasonable default assumptions for vehicle efficiency, charging loss, and rates. For a precise number using your own figures, try the detailed cost per mile calculator instead.
How it works
Step 1
An estimate is fine here, since this is meant to be a fast ballpark tool.
Step 2
Think of whatever vehicle you'd realistically be driving instead.
Step 3
Once you have your actual vehicle, charger, and rate details, the detailed cost per mile calculator gives a far more accurate figure.
This calculator is designed for a fast first look, using reasonable default assumptions for vehicle efficiency, charging loss, and electricity rates so you only need to enter a couple of numbers. It won't be as precise as the detailed calculators on this site, similar in spirit to the quick 5 minute system size estimator, but it gives a useful ballpark figure in seconds rather than requiring a full form.
This tool assumes 25 kWh per 100 miles of vehicle efficiency, in the range fueleconomy.gov lists for typical EVs, a 10% charging loss, a $0.15 per kWh grid rate, and if you indicate having solar, a 75% solar offset at a $0.06 per kWh solar cost. These are reasonable middle-of-the-road figures for a typical efficient EV and system, though your actual numbers will likely differ somewhat.
Once you have specific figures for your actual or planned vehicle's efficiency, your local electricity rates, and your solar system's real offset percentage, the detailed cost per mile calculator or EV charging load addition calculator will give a considerably more accurate, personalized result than this quick tool's default-based estimate. Check charging loss if you want the authoritative numbers behind this.
If this quick estimate looks promising, take the next step with the panel count quick estimator to get a rough sense of system size, or move to the detailed calculators for a precise planning figure. The quick 2 minute payback estimator approaches the same problem from the other direction.
Questions
This tool uses reasonable default assumptions for vehicle efficiency, charging loss, and rates to give a fast ballpark figure with minimal input. For a more precise number using your actual vehicle, rates, and solar offset, the detailed cost-per-mile and comparison calculators elsewhere on this site give a more accurate result.
This tool assumes 25 kWh per 100 miles vehicle efficiency, 10% charging loss, a $0.15 per kWh grid rate, and if you have solar, a 75% offset at a $0.06 per kWh solar cost. These are reasonable middle-of-the-road figures for a typical EV and system, but your actual numbers may differ.
In a typical example at 30 miles a day, having solar increases annual savings from about $821 to roughly $1,027 compared to a 30 mpg gas vehicle, a difference of about $205 a year from the assumed 75% solar offset. Actual results depend on your specific solar offset percentage and rates.
Use this for a fast first look, then move to the detailed cost-per-mile calculators once you have your actual vehicle specs, charger type, and solar system details for a more precise, personalized number.
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