Outdoor & Garage · Midwest
Cost to run a ev charger (level 2) in Wisconsin
At Wisconsin’s average residential rate of 19.74¢ per kWh, a ev charger (level 2) drawing 7200W for 3 hours a day costs about $130 a month. Change the numbers below to match how you actually use yours.
Quick answer
Based on 7200W and 19.74¢/kWh, the Wisconsin average for May 2026.
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— per year
Why the cost differs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has the 35th cheapest residential electricity of the 51 US states and territories we track, at 19.74¢ per kWh against a national average of 18.44¢. That is +7.1% compared with the national figure. Wisconsin has above-average rates driven by sustained grid modernization spending recovered through rate cases. Retail service is regulated. Winters are long and cold, making heating the dominant seasonal load, while lake-moderated summers keep cooling demand lower than in states at comparable latitude further inland.
For this appliance specifically, the difference works out to an extra $102 a year over what the same ev charger (level 2) would cost at the national average rate. Run the identical appliance in Hawaii and it would cost $4,100 a year; in Idaho it would cost $974. That spread of $3,126 is entirely down to location.
At Wisconsin's rate this single ev charger (level 2) accounts for roughly 75% of a typical household's entire annual electricity bill. It is not a rounding error on your statement - it is one of the largest single line items in it.
Wisconsin sits above the national average, so the running cost of this ev charger (level 2) is modestly higher than a typical US household would pay. Usage habits still matter more than location at this rate level.
Retail service in Wisconsin is regulated, so most households pay a tariff set through state rate cases rather than a shopped rate. The state average is a reasonable proxy, though your utility's specific tariff still varies.
| Location | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin this page | 19.74¢ | $130 | $1,556 |
| US average | 18.44¢ | $121 | $1,454 |
| Idaho cheapest state | 12.35¢ | $81.20 | $974 |
| Hawaii most expensive | 52.00¢ | $342 | $4,100 |
Wisconsin electricity rate trend
Rates in Wisconsin have moved from 18.52¢ to 19.74¢ per kWh over the last twelve months of published data. Nationally, residential rates rose about 6.2% year over year.
2025-06 to 2026-05 · cents per kWh
About running a ev charger (level 2)
A Level 2 charger draws 3.3 to 11.5 kilowatts. Because charging usually happens overnight, time-of-use rates matter enormously - off-peak charging can halve the effective cost in states with time-varying tariffs.
What actually changes the cost
- At typical use this is a major load - around 7,884 kWh a year. Efficiency upgrades here pay back faster than on any small appliance.
- Models vary widely, from about 3300W to 11500W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
How we worked this out
The arithmetic is simple and we would rather show it than hide it. Divide watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by hours of use and by the duty cycle to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your rate:
7200W ÷ 1000 × 3h = 21.600 kWh/day × 19.74¢ = $4.264 per day
One honest caveat: Wisconsin’s figure is a state average published by the EIA. Your own utility’s tariff, any time-of-use pricing, fixed monthly service charges and local taxes all shift the real number. Put your actual per-kWh rate into the calculator above for a figure that reflects your bill.
Questions about ev charger (level 2) running costs
How many watts does a ev charger (level 2) use?
A typical ev charger (level 2) draws about 7200 watts while running, with most models falling between 3300W and 11500W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a ev charger (level 2) use per day?
At around 3 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 21.6 kWh per day, or about 648 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same ev charger (level 2), used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a ev charger (level 2) at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.