Before you buy an EV: home charging cost in Denver, CO
Short answer: Charging a typical EV at home in Denver costs about $406/yr at the CO average residential price of 17.17¢/kWh (2,363 kWh × 17.17¢/kWh = $406/yr).
Last updated:
Install cost (national range)
$749–$2,500 (typical standard install about $1,700); a panel upgrade adds $1,500–$3,000. Source: Qmerit – How much does Level 2 EV charger installation cost? (national) (accessed 2026-10-25). Panel upgrade details for Denver.
Estimated annual charging cost
2,363 kWh × 17.17¢/kWh = $406/yr
- 2,363 kWh per year: average annual household electricity use for EV charging in U.S. homes with EVs (2020). Source: U.S. DOE Vehicle Technologies Office, Fact of the Week #1307 (Sept 11, 2023), citing EIA 2020 RECS (accessed 2026-10-25).
- CO average residential price 17.17¢/kWh. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (residential, August 2026, preliminary; released Oct 23, 2026) (accessed 2026-10-25).
This is a statewide average for one month (preliminary), not your utility's tariff. It excludes fixed charges and taxes. The kWh figure is a 2020 household average, not your car or mileage.
Time-of-use / EV rate
| Utility and plan | Xcel Energy (Colorado): Residential Time of Use (default) |
|---|---|
| Off-peak rate | 6.792–7.884¢/kWh (Off-peak: all hours except 5–9 p.m. non-holiday weekdays) |
| Notes | TOU base rates only (non-summer 6.792¢, summer 7.884¢); riders and other bill charges excluded, so no all-in savings estimate. |
| Annual EV energy at off-peak | Not computed: the published rate excludes riders/fuel, so an all-in figure would be wrong. |
| Savings vs. state average price | Data pending (not computable from sourced all-in inputs). |
| Source | Colorado PUC – Time of Use Rates (accessed 2026-10-25) |
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Denver?
2,363 kWh × 17.17¢/kWh = $406/yr (EIA CO average residential price; 2,363 kWh/yr DOE household average).
Is there an EV time-of-use rate in Denver?
Xcel Energy (Colorado): Residential Time of Use (default), off-peak 6.792–7.884¢/kWh (Off-peak: all hours except 5–9 p.m. non-holiday weekdays).
How much does a home charger install cost?
$749–$2,500 (typical standard install about $1,700); a panel upgrade adds $1,500–$3,000 (national).
Is the federal 30C charger tax credit still available?
The federal EV charger credit (section 30C) is not allowed for any property placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Last updated: Oct 25, 2026. Methodology