The monthly cost of running a Level 2 charger comes down to one thing: the electricity your car actually uses. The charger does not add a meaningful cost just by being plugged in. What you pay for is the energy delivered to the battery, which depends on how much you drive, how efficient your car is, and your electricity rate. For most Maryland drivers, home charging runs roughly $30 to $95 per month.
Here is how to estimate your own cost and how to keep it down.
The simple formula
You can estimate your monthly charging cost like this:
Monthly cost = (miles driven per month divided by efficiency in miles per kWh) times your electricity rate
- Miles per month is your typical driving.
- Efficiency for most EVs is around 3 to 4 miles per kWh.
- Electricity rate is the price on your bill, in dollars per kWh.
It is also worth adding roughly 10 percent for charging losses, since not every kWh from the wall lands in the battery.
Maryland electricity rates
As of 2026, Maryland residential electricity prices average about 21 to 22 cents per kWh, though the exact figure varies by utility, plan, and usage, and Maryland’s deregulated market means you can sometimes shop for a supplier. Check your own bill for your actual rate, since that is what drives your cost.
Example monthly costs
Using a typical efficiency of about 3.5 miles per kWh and a rate of about 22 cents per kWh, here is what different driving levels look like:
| Miles driven per month | Approx. energy used | Approx. monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| 500 miles | About 143 kWh | About $31 |
| 750 miles | About 214 kWh | About $47 |
| 1,000 miles | About 286 kWh | About $63 |
| 1,250 miles | About 357 kWh | About $79 |
| 1,500 miles | About 429 kWh | About $94 |
Add about 10 percent for charging losses, and adjust up or down for your actual rate and your car’s efficiency. A more efficient EV costs less per mile, and a larger SUV or truck costs a bit more.
Ways to lower your charging cost
A few strategies can reduce what you pay:
- Use a time-of-use or EV rate plan. Maryland utilities offer time-of-use and EV charging rate options where electricity is cheaper during off-peak overnight hours. Charging while you sleep can meaningfully cut costs.
- Schedule charging for off-peak times. Most EVs and chargers let you set a start time so charging happens during the cheapest window.
- Charge to what you need. For daily driving, you often do not need a full 100 percent charge every night.
- Drive efficiently. Smooth driving and proper tire pressure improve your miles per kWh.
What about the charger itself?
The Level 2 charging equipment uses a negligible amount of power when it is idle, so it does not add a noticeable line item to your bill. Your cost is essentially the energy you put into the car. The main one-time cost is the installation, which a licensed electrician handles with the correct circuit and permit.
For most Maryland drivers, running a Level 2 charger costs roughly $30 to $95 per month, driven by how much you drive, your car’s efficiency, and your electricity rate of about 21 to 22 cents per kWh. To estimate your own cost, divide your monthly miles by your car’s miles per kWh and multiply by your rate, then add about 10 percent for losses. Off-peak and EV rate plans can lower the total further.
Stella Electric installs Level 2 EV chargers for homeowners across the Baltimore area and throughout Maryland, with flat-rate pricing and no overtime charges. We can set up your charger for convenient, cost-effective overnight charging. Financing is available on qualifying projects.
