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What “total cost of ownership” includes
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is the money a vehicle consumes during a defined ownership period, less what it is worth when you sell or trade it. A useful model is:
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TCO = purchase and transaction costs + financing interest + energy + insurance + maintenance, repairs and tires + taxes and registration fees + required charging equipment and installation − resale value − verified incentives.
Keep cash-flow items and economic costs separate in your spreadsheet. A down payment is not an additional cost if it is already included in the purchase price; loan interest is. A refundable deposit is not a cost; sales tax and registration are. If an incentive reduces the amount financed, reflect it once in the transaction price rather than subtracting it again at the end.
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- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations.
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable.
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and requires a 20A or 80A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter.
| Cost area | Inputs to collect | Why it changes the result |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase and financing | Negotiated price, trade-in treatment, down payment, APR, term, lender fees and verified incentive | Interest and the amount exposed to depreciation depend on the real deal, not MSRP. |
| Depreciation | Expected resale or trade-in value at the chosen date and mileage | It is often the largest ownership cost. |
| Energy | Annual miles, vehicle efficiency, local electricity and gasoline rates, and charging mix | Home, workplace, public AC and DC-fast charging have different prices. |
| Insurance | Full-coverage quote for the exact vehicle, driver, address, limits and deductible | Premiums vary more by driver and location than a national average suggests. |
| Maintenance, repairs and tires | Scheduled service, tires, alignment, wear items and an unexpected-repair allowance | EVs can reduce routine service but still need tires, brakes, suspension and repairs. |
| Taxes and fees | Sales or use tax, registration, inspection, title and EV-specific charges | Rules and annual fees are local and can materially alter a five-year comparison. |
| Charging equipment | Level 1 or Level 2 equipment, electrical work and permits | Include only the hardware and installation your charging plan actually requires. |
Choose vehicles, mileage and a time horizon that match
Match the transportation job
Compare electric SUVs with alternatives that can perform the same job: similar passenger and cargo capacity, winter or towing requirements, range needs and planned replacement date. A small electric crossover should not be compared with a large, heavily equipped gasoline SUV simply because both have four doors. Record the equipment and capability differences that could force you into a more expensive model.
Use one period and one odometer target
Pick an ownership period and total miles before entering prices. Five years and 75,000 miles is the basis used in AAA’s 2026 Your Driving Costs analysis, but your household may drive 8,000 or 25,000 miles a year or keep the vehicle for ten years. Use your expected annual miles, then run alternatives around it. A vehicle driven twice as far consumes more energy and tires but does not necessarily double depreciation or insurance.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Vehicle Cost Calculator can compare up to eight vehicles and accepts a custom vehicle entry. Its state selection helps estimate local energy prices. Vehicle prices and specifications change frequently, and AFDC cautions that not all data are verified by the Department of Energy or its site manager, so confirm the final specifications with the manufacturer or dealer.
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Start with the actual transaction and financing
Replace MSRP with the deal you expect to sign
Enter the negotiated selling price, destination and dealer charges, trade-in credit, down payment and taxes according to your local rules. MSRP alone misses discounts, dealer add-ons and trade-in effects. AAA’s method uses the actual purchase price when calculating both finance costs and depreciation.
Model the loan, not just the payment
Obtain a preapproval or a lender quote for the exact amount and term. Record APR, origination or documentation fees, term, down payment and the date the loan starts. The relevant cost is interest paid over the ownership period. If you sell before the loan ends, include the remaining balance in the sale transaction; otherwise a low monthly payment can hide a large payoff.
Apply incentives only after checking eligibility
Check the current AFDC Laws and Incentives database and your state, utility and local tax authority. Eligibility can depend on the precise vehicle identification, battery and assembly rules, buyer income, business use, purchase versus lease, seller and transaction date. Do not assume a credit, rebate or point-of-sale discount applies. Record the source, expiration date and whether it reduces the purchase price, tax liability or a later tax bill.
Estimate depreciation explicitly
Depreciation for the period is the vehicle’s purchase price allocated to the comparison minus its expected resale or trade-in value at the end:
Rank #2
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car.
- PLUG IN, NO HARDWIRING: Level 2 charger delivers up to 40A to fully charge most EVs overnight. Plugs into a 240V, 4-prong NEMA 14-50 outlet (the RV/range type - NOT a dryer outlet) on a dedicated 50A circuit. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that you have the right outlet.
- CONTROL & SAVE FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start/stop charging, set speed (6-40A), get reminders, and track energy use and cost. Schedule off-peak overnight charging to cut your electric bill. Requires 2.4 GHz WiFi.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
Depreciation = transaction price − estimated end value.
Use a range rather than a single optimistic resale number. Create low, middle and high residual scenarios at the same age and mileage for every candidate. Keep the assumptions consistent: a five-year value for one SUV cannot be compared with a four-year value for another. If you plan to trade in, use a realistic trade value rather than a retail asking price.
AAA’s 2026 study identifies depreciation as the largest cost in its overall sample, with a weighted average of $4,422 per year. That is a study-wide result, not an electric-SUV quote. AAA also reports a $12,863 average annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle across the full study. The analysis covers five years and 75,000 miles, and its methodology changed from 2025, so the two releases are not directly comparable.
Calculate electricity for the way you will charge
Use the vehicle’s efficiency and your miles
For each charging source, calculate:
Annual charging cost = annual miles × energy use per mile × charging-source price.
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Manufacturers commonly express efficiency as kilowatt-hours per 100 miles. Convert it to kWh per mile by dividing by 100. If the vehicle uses 32 kWh per 100 miles, it uses 0.32 kWh per mile before charging losses. Add a loss factor for the electricity drawn from the wall rather than relying only on the dashboard figure; use a consistent assumption for every EV in the comparison and label it as an assumption.
Split home, workplace and public charging
Estimate the share of miles—or, more precisely, the share of energy—you expect to obtain at home, at work and from public stations. Multiply each share by its applicable price and add the results. Home electricity is usually the lowest-cost source; public charging, especially DC fast charging, normally costs more. AFDC’s calculator uses your state to estimate electricity prices, but a utility’s time-of-use rate, demand charges, subscription pricing or free workplace charging can make your personal result different.
For a home rate of R dollars per kWh, efficiency E kWh per mile, charging-loss factor L, and home share H, the home portion is:
Rank #3
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- 8X Faster Charging: The EVDANCE ev charger level 2 comes with a NEMA 14-50 plug, charging at 240V and the maximum current can reach 40A, which can provide maximum 9.6kWh charging power. Experience unparalleled speed at approximately 8x faster than level 1 ev chargers
- Adjustable Charging Current: EVDANCE Level 2 charger supports adjustable currents settings ranging from 10A to 40A (10A/16A/20A/24A/32A/40A). Just touch the "A" button, you can easily select the appropriate charging speed to suit your specific needs
- Delayed Charging Function: With the delay start feature, you can set your charging time(delay 1-12 hrs), staggering the peak usage period and reducing your energy costs
- Intelligent 2.4"" TFT Display & & LED Indicators: Our 40A electric car charger equipped with a large 2.4"" TFT screen, it provides clear and real-time charging information, including charging current/voltage/power kWh, charging time and work status, etc.The LED indicator on the control box provides real-time charging status
Annual home cost = miles × E × L × H × R.
Apply the same equation separately to workplace and public charging. Use the station’s per-kWh, per-minute or session fee as applicable. If a public network has idle fees or a monthly membership, include the expected fee in the public-charging line.
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Cold temperatures, high speeds, roof racks, towing, hills and heavy loads can raise energy use. Do not inflate only the EV’s consumption while leaving the gasoline comparison at an idealized laboratory value. Run a normal-use case and a severe-weather or towing case if those conditions are routine for you.
Price the home charger only when needed
An EV includes a Level 1 cordset. A Level 2 home charger can replenish energy faster, but the equipment, circuit, panel upgrade, trenching, permit and electrician work depend on the home and vehicle. AFDC advises checking with the dealer or manufacturer for a compatible Level 2 option. Obtain an installation quote before treating home charging as inexpensive. If a household can meet its miles with the included cordset or existing equipment, do not charge the model for an upgrade it will not buy.
Compare gasoline and hybrid energy on equal terms
For a gasoline SUV, use:
Annual fuel cost = annual miles ÷ real-world miles per gallon × local gasoline price.
Use the fuel economy expected for your route, weather and load, not only the best EPA number. For a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, split electric and gasoline miles and model the charging behavior you will actually maintain. A plug-in hybrid that is rarely charged should not receive the same electric-mile assumption as a vehicle charged every night.
In selected category comparisons, AAA’s 2026 analysis found EV charging costs 66% to 70% lower than gasoline fuel costs. The comparison covered selected models and categories; AAA also found that higher depreciation, fees and financing could outweigh the energy savings. Treat the percentage as evidence that energy can be a major advantage, not as a universal electric-SUV payback guarantee.
Get an insurance quote for each candidate
Request quotes using the exact year, trim, battery configuration, address, annual mileage, drivers, coverage limits, deductible and intended use. Ask how the insurer handles original-equipment parts, battery damage, glass, rental coverage and total-loss valuation. A national average cannot capture a young driver, a high-theft ZIP code, a multi-car policy or a high deductible.
Rank #4
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway.
- HARDWIRED - PROFESSIONAL INSTALL: This Level 2 charger is hardwired (not plug-in), so a licensed electrician installs it per National Electrical Code. It delivers up to 48A on a dedicated 60A, 240V circuit - enough to charge most EVs fully overnight. Want more speed? You can set DIP switches 4 and 5 to unlock 50A on a dedicated 70A circuit. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that your electrical panel can support the circuit.
- CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start and stop charging, set the charging speed (6-48A), get reminders, and track how much energy and money each charge uses. Requires a 2.4 GHz home WiFi network.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
AAA’s ownership-cost method assumes full coverage for a driver with at least six years of experience. That assumption may not fit your household, so use the quoted premium in your model and keep the quote date. Requote when the vehicle, address or policy changes.
Budget maintenance, repairs and tires separately
Scheduled service
List the manufacturer’s service intervals for each SUV: inspections, cabin and air filters, brake-fluid service, coolant requirements, alignment checks and other specified work. EVs generally avoid oil changes and some engine-related services, but they still require tires, wiper components, suspension work, brakes and software or electrical repairs.
Tires and wear items
Record the original tire size, replacement price, expected life and seasonal-tire needs. Heavy vehicles and strong acceleration can shorten tire life. If the electric SUV requires a specialized or higher-load tire, use that price rather than a generic compact-SUV estimate.
Repairs and averages
Set an explicit unexpected-repair allowance and apply the same method to every powertrain. AFDC’s consumer chart displays average maintenance costs of $0.061 per mile for an EV, $0.090 for a plug-in hybrid and $0.101 for a gasoline vehicle. The page accessed October 13, 2026 does not state a publication year for those chart values, so use them as broad averages, not a promise for a particular SUV.
Add taxes, registration and local EV charges
Enter purchase or use tax, title, registration, inspection, annual property tax and local fees for the actual address. Some jurisdictions impose an additional EV registration charge or road-use fee; others do not. Verify the current amount and renewal schedule with the relevant motor-vehicle authority. If you move during ownership, model the location you reasonably expect rather than assuming the purchase location controls every future fee.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Build a comparison worksheet
Use one column per candidate and one row per cost. A practical layout is:
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Worksheet row | How to calculate or document it |
|---|---|
| Transaction price | Negotiated amount plus unavoidable dealer and destination charges. |
| Verified incentive | Eligibility-tested credit or rebate; note who receives it and when. |
| Financing interest and fees | Loan amortization through sale or the end of the ownership period. |
| Resale value | Low, middle and high estimates at the same age and mileage. |
| Home electricity | Miles × efficiency × losses × home share × home rate. |
| Workplace/public electricity | Separate share and price for each charging source, plus memberships and idle fees. |
| Gasoline or hybrid fuel | Miles divided by real-world fuel economy, multiplied by local fuel price. |
| Insurance | Vehicle- and driver-specific quote multiplied by months owned. |
| Maintenance, repairs and tires | Service schedule, tire replacements and a stated repair allowance. |
| Taxes and registration | Purchase charges plus each annual renewal or EV-specific fee. |
| Charging equipment | Only required hardware, installation, permits and electrical upgrades. |
| Net TCO | Sum costs, subtract resale value and incentives once, then divide by miles or months if useful. |
Also calculate cost per mile by dividing net TCO by total miles and cost per month by dividing by the months owned. These metrics help compare a low-mileage household with a high-mileage household, but they do not replace the total-dollar result.
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- ✅【Wide Compatibility – J1772 Connector for All Non-Tesla EVs】Equipped with a standard SAE J1772 plug, this EV charger works with most North American electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, including models from Ford, GM, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, BMW, and more. Tesla vehicles require a J1772-to-Tesla adapter (not included).
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- ✅ 【Smart Charging for Long-Term EV Care】: EVDANCE Level 2 EV charger offers flexible amperage settings ranging from 10A to 32A (10A/16A/20A/24A/32A). With a simple touch of the "A" button, you can easily select the appropriate charging speed to suit your specific needs. Lower amperage charging can reduce heat and extend battery health over time. Choose the current that suits your car and charging scenario — fast when you need it, gentle when you don’t.
- ✅【Built for Safety & Durability 】The EV charger is designed to handle tough environments with NEMA Type 4/IP66-grade protection against dust and water. While it’s not recommended for installation in direct sunlight or heavy rain, it performs reliably in garages, carports, and covered outdoor areas. The 25-foot military-grade charging cable features a drop-resistant plug tested to withstand over 10,000 insertions — built to last, wherever you charge.
Use a transparent modeled benchmark carefully
A U.S. Department of Energy AFDC-hosted total-cost report for model year 2025 gives these illustrative five-year totals for a small-SUV class:
| Powertrain case | Modeled five-year total |
|---|---|
| ICE-SI | $40,221 |
| HEV | $37,849 |
| PHEV50 | $44,126 |
| BEV300 | $54,108 |
| BEV200 | $46,283 |
The report separately lists vehicle, finance, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repair and tax-and-fee components. These are modeled class-level results under the report’s assumptions, not current transaction costs for a named SUV or a particular buyer. Use the table to understand how categories can add up, then replace every input with your own quote.
Run scenarios instead of trusting one result
Mileage and ownership period
Run at least a low-mileage and high-mileage case, plus your expected period and a shorter or longer hold. Energy savings grow with miles, while depreciation and transaction fees are more time-dependent.
Charging access
Compare mostly-home charging with a public-heavy case. A buyer without dependable overnight parking may pay more for public energy and may also need to value the time spent charging. Do not assign a home rate to miles that will be charged at a public fast charger.
Prices, resale and financing
Vary electricity and gasoline prices, resale value, APR and loan term. Identify the assumptions that change the ranking. If a small change in resale value overturns the result, present the comparison as sensitive rather than declaring one powertrain the winner.
Incentive and fee uncertainty
Create a case with no incentive until eligibility is confirmed, then add the verified amount. Do the same for an EV registration fee or charger installation. This prevents an uncertain benefit from masking a certain cost.
Common mistakes that distort an electric-SUV comparison
- Comparing MSRP for one vehicle with a negotiated price for another.
- Counting a down payment as a cost in addition to the purchase price, or ignoring loan interest.
- Using a national insurance average instead of a quote for the actual driver and address.
- Assuming every electric mile is charged at a low home-utility rate.
- Ignoring charging losses, public-network fees, tires or winter energy use.
- Using a best-case resale estimate for the EV and a conservative estimate for the gasoline SUV.
- Applying an incentive without checking vehicle, buyer, location, transaction type and date.
- Mixing a five-year EV result with a three-year gasoline result.
- Treating AFDC or AAA averages as a guarantee for a specific trim or household.
- Adding a Level 2 installation to one vehicle when the buyer already has suitable equipment, or omitting required electrical work.
A decision checklist before you buy
- Write down the required seating, cargo, range, towing and winter capabilities.
- Select comparable electric, gasoline and hybrid vehicles and lock one mileage and ownership period.
- Collect transaction prices, financing offers and trade-in values.
- Verify incentives for the exact vehicle, buyer, location and transaction date.
- Obtain insurance quotes using the same coverage for every candidate.
- Price home, workplace and public energy using your real charging shares.
- Price a charger and electrical work only if your home plan requires them.
- Enter scheduled service, tires, repairs, taxes and registration.
- Estimate resale values with low, middle and high cases.
- Calculate total dollars, cost per mile and cost per month.
- Run mileage, energy-price, charging-access, resale and financing scenarios.
- Choose the vehicle whose result remains acceptable under realistic downside assumptions, not only the one with the lowest optimistic total.
How much does an electric SUV cost to own?
There is no single answer without a vehicle, location, driver, charging setup, financing offer and ownership period. The calculation is reliable when those inputs are specific and comparable. Electric SUVs often have an energy and routine-maintenance advantage, but depreciation, insurance, financing, taxes, public charging and installation can dominate the total. Enter your own verified figures in the same worksheet for every candidate, then use scenarios to show how robust the decision is.
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