Electric Vehicle Charging FAQs
Can I charge my electric vehicle (EV) at home?
The answer is "yes" and more than 80% of charging happens at home.
How long does it take to charge?
It depends on:
- Current charge level on the battery
- Your charger – a Level 2 can typically charge up to six times faster than a Level 1
- Battery size
- Battery temperature
Average Charging Time:
| Charger Type |
Range of charge per hour* |
| Level 1 |
2-5 miles |
| Level 2 |
10-30 miles |
*U.S. Department of Energy
How much will it cost to install a charger at home?
There's a pretty big range depending on the features and installation costs. A licensed electrician can provide a quote for your specific needs.
With MGE's Charge@Home Program, customers can get a Level 2 charging station installed at their home for about $20 per month ($0.64/day) plus the cost of electricity used without having to pay for up-front installation fees.
How much does it cost to charge my EV?
The cost will depend on the capacity of your battery and the per kilowatt-hour (kWh) electricity rate. For example, charging a Nissan Leaf®, with a 40-kWh battery, from completely empty to 100% equals roughly $5.60.
Is it cheaper to charge my EV at night?
It could be. Enroll in MGE's Shift & Save rate plan and you could save money when you charge your vehicle during off-peak hours (which is usually at night). Most chargers and EVs let you program when your car charges, so it's easy to take advantage of these savings.
Need a charge away from home?
MGE has a network of nearly 40 public charging stations, and there are more than 60 stations in the Madison area.
Why use a fast charger?
As you may have guessed, fast chargers are quick. These are for CHAdeMo and CCS-equipped vehicles like Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt. The U.S. Department of Energy reports they can provide 60-80 miles of charge in just 20 minutes!
To find the fast charger nearest you, go to plugshare.com.
How much does it cost to use an MGE public charging station?
Level 1 and 2: $2 per hour (3.33 cents/minute for all minutes plugged into station)
DC Fast Charge: $5 per hour (8.33 cents/minute for all minutes plugged into station)
Where can I charge outside of Madison?
There are nearly 20,000 EV charging stations around the country – wow! – and more than 500 charging ports in Wisconsin.
To find an EV charging station while you travel, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center or download the Plugshare mobile app.
Where can I find information about workplace charging?
More employers are adding EV chargers. They've found it to be a great way to attract and retain employees and support their sustainability goals.
Think your employer should be one of them? Send them our way. We'll be happy to help them determine if an EV charging program is right for their organization. Call our business line at (608) 252-7007 or visit mge.com/lovev/business to learn more.
Where can I find more information about EVs?
- EV Rider: Whether you're an EV enthusiast, skeptic or on the fence, this site provides loads of timely and trustworthy information and is a great resource for all things EV!
- LovEV: There's a lot to love about EVs! Here you'll find information about charging, driving distance, new models and more.