EV Charging Costs by Oregon Utility: PGE, Pacific Power, and More
Exact EV charging costs for every major Oregon utility. Compare rates, calculate your cost per mile, and learn how time-of-use plans can cut your charging bill in half.
EV Charging Costs by Oregon Utility
How much does it actually cost to charge an EV in Oregon? It depends on your utility, your rate plan, and when you charge. Here's the breakdown.
Quick Comparison: Cost Per 100 Miles
| Utility | Standard Rate | Cost per 100 mi | With TOU Savings | |---------|---------------|-----------------|------------------| | Portland General Electric | $0.13/kWh | $3.90 | $2.40 | | Pacific Power | $0.12/kWh | $3.60 | $2.10 | | Eugene Water & Electric | $0.08/kWh | $2.40 | N/A | | Salem Electric | $0.09/kWh | $2.70 | N/A | | Emerald PUD | $0.08/kWh | $2.40 | N/A |
Assumes: 30 kWh per 100 miles (typical EV efficiency). Your actual consumption varies by vehicle and driving style.
For comparison: A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $11.67 per 100 miles — 3-4x more than EV charging.
Portland General Electric (PGE)
Standard Residential Rates
| Tier | Rate | Usage | |------|------|-------| | Tier 1 | $0.11/kWh | First 1,000 kWh/month | | Tier 2 | $0.14/kWh | Over 1,000 kWh/month |
Most EV drivers land in Tier 2 for at least part of their usage.
Time-of-Use Plan (Schedule 7)
Best for EV owners. Charge at night and save 40%+.
| Period | Hours | Rate | |--------|-------|------| | Off-peak | 9pm - 7am | $0.08/kWh | | Mid-peak | 7am - 3pm, 8pm - 9pm | $0.12/kWh | | On-peak | 3pm - 8pm | $0.22/kWh |
EV charging cost on TOU: $2.40 per 100 miles (off-peak)
How to switch: Call PGE or switch online. No fee. Try it for a billing cycle — you can switch back.
PGE EV Programs
- Smart charging rebate: $50 for connecting your EV to their demand response program
- Level 2 charger rebate: $500 for installing a qualifying home charger
- Workplace charging: Business rebates available
Pacific Power
Standard Residential Rates
| Usage | Rate | |-------|------| | All usage | $0.12/kWh |
Pacific Power uses a flat rate structure — simpler, but no tiered savings.
Time-of-Use Plan
| Period | Hours | Rate | |--------|-------|------| | Off-peak | 10pm - 6am | $0.07/kWh | | On-peak | 6am - 10pm | $0.15/kWh |
EV charging cost on TOU: $2.10 per 100 miles (off-peak)
Pacific Power's off-peak rate is one of the lowest in Oregon. If you're disciplined about charging at night, this is hard to beat.
Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB)
Residential Rates
| Tier | Rate | Usage | |------|------|-------| | Tier 1 | $0.07/kWh | First 800 kWh/month | | Tier 2 | $0.09/kWh | Over 800 kWh/month |
EWEB has the lowest rates in Oregon. EV owners in Eugene pay significantly less than Portland drivers.
EV Charging Cost
- Tier 1: $2.10 per 100 miles
- Tier 2: $2.70 per 100 miles
No time-of-use option currently, but rates are already cheap.
Other Oregon Utilities
Salem Electric
| Rate | Cost per 100 mi | |------|-----------------| | $0.09/kWh | $2.70 |
Small co-op with competitive rates. No TOU plan.
Emerald PUD (Springfield area)
| Rate | Cost per 100 mi | |------|-----------------| | $0.08/kWh | $2.40 |
Another low-cost public utility.
Central Electric Co-op (Central Oregon)
| Rate | Cost per 100 mi | |------|-----------------| | $0.11/kWh | $3.30 |
Covers Bend and surrounding areas.
Midstate Electric (Klamath area)
| Rate | Cost per 100 mi | |------|-----------------| | $0.10/kWh | $3.00 |
EV Charging vs. Gas: Full Comparison
| | EV (Home) | EV (Fast Charge) | Gas (30 MPG) | Gas (25 MPG) | |---|-----------|------------------|--------------|--------------| | Cost per 100 miles | $2.40-$3.90 | $12-$15 | $11.67 | $14.00 | | Annual cost (12K mi) | $288-$468 | $1,440-$1,800 | $1,400 | $1,680 | | 5-year fuel cost | $1,440-$2,340 | $7,200-$9,000 | $7,000 | $8,400 |
Key insight: Home charging saves $5,000-$6,000 over 5 years vs. gas. Fast charging wipes out most of that savings — use it for road trips, not daily driving.
How to Minimize Charging Costs
1. Switch to Time-of-Use
If your utility offers TOU rates, switch and charge after 9 or 10pm. Set your car's charging schedule and forget about it.
Savings: 30-50% vs. standard rates
2. Charge to 80%
Most EVs charge faster from 20-80% than from 80-100%. For daily driving, 80% is plenty and reduces wear on the battery.
3. Use Workplace Charging
Many Oregon employers offer free or subsidized charging. If available, this beats home charging costs.
4. Avoid Peak Hours
On TOU plans, charging from 3-8pm costs 2-3x more than off-peak. Never charge during peak unless you have to.
5. Get a Level 2 Charger
240V charging is faster and often required for TOU rate benefits. Cost: $300-$600 for equipment + $500-$1,500 installation.
PGE offers a $500 rebate. Payback: 1-2 years from TOU savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my electricity rate?
Check your utility bill — the rate per kWh is listed. Or look up your utility's residential rate schedule online.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a public charger?
Home is always cheaper. Public Level 2 is usually $0.20-$0.30/kWh. DC fast charging is $0.40-$0.48/kWh. Home rates are $0.07-$0.14/kWh.
How much will my electric bill increase with an EV?
$30-$60/month for a typical driver (1,000 miles/month). Less if you're on TOU and charge off-peak.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel?
Maybe. If your panel is older or at capacity, adding a 240V circuit for EV charging might require an upgrade ($1,000-$3,000). Get an electrician's assessment.
Can I charge during a power outage?
Not from the grid. But if you have solar + battery (like a Tesla Powerwall), you can charge from stored power.
Monthly Charging Cost Calculator
Your numbers:
| Input | Value | |-------|-------| | Monthly miles | _____ | | EV efficiency | 30 kWh per 100 mi (avg) | | Your rate | $_____ /kWh |
Formula:
(Monthly miles ÷ 100) × 30 kWh × rate = Monthly cost
Example: 1,000 miles ÷ 100 × 30 × $0.10 = $30/month
Quick Reference
| Utility | Best Rate | Cost per 100 mi | |---------|-----------|-----------------| | EWEB | $0.07/kWh | $2.10 | | Pacific Power TOU | $0.07/kWh | $2.10 | | Emerald PUD | $0.08/kWh | $2.40 | | PGE TOU | $0.08/kWh | $2.40 | | Salem Electric | $0.09/kWh | $2.70 |
Related: EV FAQ for Pacific Northwest and Best EVs for Mountain Driving