Thinking about making the switch to sustainable mobility? Find out how much it costs to charge an electric car at home or on public roads and calculate the real savings compared to gasoline.

The electrification of automobiles is no longer a future trend, but an increasingly present reality on the Philippine roads. However, those considering buying a plug-in vehicle continue to have the same questions: how much does it cost to charge an electric car, what budget is needed when away from home, and are there really significant savings compared to a traditional gasoline model?

What determines the price of charging an electric car?

There is no single figure that applies to all drivers. The final cost of charging your vehicle’s battery depends on several factors:

• Battery capacity: Measured in kWh, it determines the total amount of energy the car can store.
• Price per kWh: Varies substantially depending on whether the tariff is residential or from a public operator.
• Charging point type and power: Fast chargers carry higher service rates due to their immediacy.
• Charging schedule: At home, choosing off-peak electricity hours makes all the difference.

Most current electric cars have real-world energy consumption ranging from 14 to 20 kWh per 100 kilometers. To manage this expense, an excellent option is to use the best electric car apps, which allow you to locate charging stations and calculate the cost of each trip in real time.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

Home charging remains the most economical and efficient option for the vast majority of users. Based on current off-peak electricity rates (early morning hours), the cost per kWh typically ranges between ₱8.42 and ₱14.03.

Below, we see the cost of a full charge based on a vehicle with a standard 60 kWh battery (which offers about 400 km of range):

Price per kWh (₱)	Cost of a Full Charge (₱)	Estimated Cost per 100 km (₱)
₱8.42/kWh	₱505.08	₱126.27
₱10.52/kWh	₱631.35	₱157.84
₱14.03/kWh	₱841.80	₱210.45

Hence the enormous importance of having your own charging infrastructure in the garage. If you’re considering this option, we recommend carefully reviewing the steps for installing an electric car charging point at home —an investment that pays for itself quickly.

In addition to energy, planning your overall budget for your new vehicle includes its insurance. To understand this concept in detail, you can use digital tools to calculate insurance for an electric or plug-in hybrid car tailored to your needs.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at a gas station or public charging point?

When we move to the real world and analyze how much it costs to charge an electric car at a gas station or public charging station, the figures increase.

Operators apply higher rates to recoup installation costs, technical maintenance, and the contracted power. The approximate average prices we can find on the market are structured according to the loading speed:

Recharge Type	Estimated Power	Average Price per kWh (₱)	Cost for a 60 kWh Battery (₱)
Semi-rapid (AC)	Up to 22 kW	₱21.05 – ₱31.57/kWh	₱1,262.70 – ₱1,894.05
Fast (DC)	Up to 150 kW	₱31.57 – ₱45.60/kWh	₱1,894.05 – ₱2,735.85
Ultrafast (DC)	More than 150 kW	₱45.60 – ₱63.14/kWh	₱2,735.85 – ₱3,788.10

As you can see, ultra-fast charging on the road can cost up to three times as much as charging at home. For this reason, it’s best to reserve the use of public fast charging infrastructure for long trips or unexpected situations.

If you’d like to learn more about how these factors affect your routes, we suggest consulting the information on how long it takes to charge an electric car depending on the power of the chosen connector.

How much does it cost to charge a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) car?

The cost of charging also raises many questions among drivers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The batteries in these cars are smaller than those of a pure electric vehicle, typically ranging in capacity from 10 to 25 kWh.

Taking an average of 15 kWh as a reference (useful for traveling between 50 and 100 km in 100% electric mode), the cost of filling varies depending on the location chosen:

• At home (Off-peak rate at ₱10.52/kWh): ₱157.84 per full recharge.
• At standard public charging (at ₱24.55/kWh): ₱368.29 per full charge.
• Fast public charging (at ₱38.58/kWh): ₱578.74 for a full charge.

It’s important to remember that the economic benefit of these vehicles depends directly on the driver’s discipline. If they aren’t frequently charged and are primarily driven by their combustion engine, the extra weight of the battery will increase fuel consumption.

To avoid this, it’s essential to take advantage of the network of public charging points in the Philippines, using daily parking periods to keep the battery charged.

Cost comparison between an electric car and a gasoline car

To visualize the real impact on your wallet, let’s analyze a direct economic comparison based on a standard mileage of 1,500 kilometers per month:

Concept of Analysis	Electric Vehicle (Home Charging)	Gasoline Vehicle
Estimated average consumption	17 kWh / 100 km	6.5 liters / 100 km
Average energy price	₱10.52 / kWh	₱119.26 / liter
Cost per 100 kilometers	₱178.88	₱775.16
Monthly expenses (1,500 km)	₱2,683.24	₱11,626.91
Estimated annual expenditure	₱32,198.70	₱139,528.35

Beyond the sheer energy cost, electric cars offer operational advantages such as simplified maintenance (no oil, filters, or timing belt) and free access to Low Emission Zones (LEZs) thanks to their zero-emission label. On the other hand, they typically require a higher initial purchase price and more planning for long journeys.

How much do you actually save per month compared to a gas bill?

Applying the figures from the table above to everyday use, a driver who travels between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers per month and primarily charges their vehicle at home will enjoy net savings of between ₱5,612–₱9,120 per month.

Annually, this positive balance far exceeds ₱70,150, potentially approaching ₱85,150 per year depending on the contracted electricity price.

To obtain the true Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a car, we must also take into account aspects such as tires, model depreciation, charger installation, and the cost of protection policies.

Insurance is also part of saving

When calculating the profitability of switching to sustainable mobility, we tend to focus exclusively on the cost per kilowatt. However, structuring smart energy protection is essential to consolidate those savings in the long term.

Electric vehicles have unique characteristics. High-cost technological components such as the high-voltage battery, charging cable, and even the garage charging station itself require specialized support in the event of unforeseen circumstances like breakdowns, damage, or theft. Having an insurance policy designed from the outset to cover these needs prevents unexpected expenses.

If you have the option of regularly charging your vehicle at home, the answer is a resounding yes. The cost per kilometer is drastically reduced compared to any traditional combustion alternative, recouping the initial price difference as you rack up the kilometers.

In the case of plug-in hybrids, economic success lies entirely in the commitment to recharge frequently to maximize their electric range in daily routines.

The transition to cleaner, more economical mobility requires a holistic analysis of consumption, home infrastructure, and vehicle protection. To drive with complete peace of mind and ensure the profitability of your investment at all times, I encourage you to discover the advantages of EV insurance, designed with specific coverage to protect your electric vehicle, its cables, and its charging system against any eventuality.