EV Charging Time and Cost Per Mile: The Real Math
This guide is not another "Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC fast" overview - we have a dedicated Level 1 vs Level 2 article for that. This one focuses on the math the other one skips: how long each car actually takes to charge at each amperage, what each mile costs at 2026 NV Energy rates, and where the breakeven lines are between home and public charging.
Bring a calculator. Or just trust mine.
The Core Formula
Every charging time and cost number comes from four inputs:
1. Battery size (kWh) - Spec on every EV.
2. Charging power (kW) - The lesser of charger output and car's onboard charger acceptance.
3. Vehicle efficiency (mi/kWh) - Real-world, not EPA.
4. Electricity rate ($/kWh) - NV Energy TOU-D off-peak is $0.08 in Henderson in 2026.
Time to charge = (Battery kWh x desired charge percent) / Charger kW
Cost per mile = Rate per kWh / Efficiency mi/kWh
That is the whole game. The variation between EVs is in the inputs.
Charging Power by Circuit Type
| Circuit | Voltage | Amps (continuous) | kW Delivered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 wall outlet | 120V | 12A | 1.44 kW |
| 20A 240V circuit | 240V | 16A | 3.8 kW |
| 30A 240V (NEMA 14-30) | 240V | 24A | 5.8 kW |
| 40A 240V (typical hardwired) | 240V | 32A | 7.7 kW |
| 50A 240V (NEMA 14-50 limit) | 240V | 32A | 7.7 kW |
| 50A circuit hardwired | 240V | 40A | 9.6 kW |
| 60A circuit hardwired | 240V | 48A | 11.5 kW |
| 100A circuit (Ford CSP) | 240V | 80A | 19.2 kW |
| DC Fast (CCS/NACS) | 400-800V DC | varies | 50-350 kW |
NEC 625.42 requires sizing at 125 percent of continuous load. That is why a NEMA 14-50 (50A breaker) delivers only 40A maximum to the receptacle, and the Tesla Mobile Connector caps itself at 32A in software.
Cost Per Mile at 2026 NV Energy Rates
Three rate scenarios:
- Off-peak TOU-D (9 PM to 2 PM): $0.08 per kWh
- On-peak TOU-D summer (2 PM to 9 PM): $0.32 per kWh
- Flat residential D-1: $0.13 per kWh
| Vehicle (efficiency) | Off-peak ¢/mi | On-peak ¢/mi | D-1 ¢/mi | Gas equiv at 30 mpg ($3.85/gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 LR (3.9 mi/kWh) | 2.05 | 8.21 | 3.33 | 12.83 |
| Tesla Model Y (3.4 mi/kWh) | 2.35 | 9.41 | 3.82 | 12.83 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 (3.2 mi/kWh) | 2.50 | 10.00 | 4.06 | 12.83 |
| Kia EV6 (3.3 mi/kWh) | 2.42 | 9.70 | 3.94 | 12.83 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E (3.0 mi/kWh) | 2.67 | 10.67 | 4.33 | 12.83 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (2.0 mi/kWh) | 4.00 | 16.00 | 6.50 | 12.83 |
| Rivian R1T (2.1 mi/kWh) | 3.81 | 15.24 | 6.19 | 12.83 |
| Chevy Bolt EUV (3.6 mi/kWh) | 2.22 | 8.89 | 3.61 | 12.83 |
| Lucid Air Pure (4.5 mi/kWh) | 1.78 | 7.11 | 2.89 | 12.83 |
Even Henderson's least-efficient EV at on-peak rates beats $3.85 gas. At off-peak, the savings are 3-6x.
Real Charging Time by Car Model
These are 20 percent to 90 percent times (the practical day-to-day window). Times assume no preconditioning, 75 F battery temp, single car on the circuit.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range (78 kWh, 11.5 kW max AC)
| Circuit | Time 20-90% (54.6 kWh added) | Miles added per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 120V / 1.44 kW | 38 hours | 5.6 |
| 240V 16A / 3.8 kW | 14.4 hours | 14.8 |
| 240V 32A / 7.7 kW (NEMA 14-50) | 7.1 hours | 30.0 |
| 240V 48A / 11.5 kW (Wall Connector) | 4.8 hours | 44.8 |
| 250 kW Supercharger (peak 250 kW, avg ~140 kW) | 23 min | 547 |
Tesla Model Y Long Range (75 kWh, 11.5 kW max AC)
| Circuit | Time 20-90% (52.5 kWh) | mi/hr added |
|---|---|---|
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| 240V 32A / 7.7 kW | 6.8 hours | 26.2 |
| 240V 48A / 11.5 kW | 4.6 hours | 39.1 |
| 250 kW Supercharger | 27 min | 462 |
Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Kia EV6 (77.4 kWh, 11 kW max AC, 800V architecture)
| Circuit | Time 20-90% (54.2 kWh) | mi/hr added |
|---|---|---|
| 240V 32A / 7.7 kW | 7.0 hours | 22.4 |
| 240V 48A / 11.5 kW | 4.7 hours | 33.6 |
| 350 kW DC (peak 235 kW) | 18 min | 1,078 |
Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range (131 kWh, 19.2 kW max AC with Charge Station Pro)
| Circuit | Time 20-90% (91.7 kWh) | mi/hr added |
|---|---|---|
| 240V 32A / 7.7 kW (Mobile Power Cord) | 11.9 hours | 15.6 |
| 240V 48A / 11.5 kW | 8.0 hours | 23.3 |
| 240V 80A / 19.2 kW (Charge Station Pro) | 4.8 hours | 38.4 |
| 150 kW DC (Lightning caps ~155 kW) | 41 min | 195 |
Rivian R1T Large Pack (135 kWh, 11.5 kW max AC)
| Circuit | Time 20-90% (94.5 kWh) | mi/hr added |
|---|---|---|
| 240V 32A / 7.7 kW | 12.3 hours | 16.8 |
| 240V 48A / 11.5 kW | 8.2 hours | 25.2 |
| 220 kW DC (peak) | ~35 min | ~245 |
Three Scenarios with Full Math
Scenario 1: Henderson commuter, Tesla Model Y, 45 mi/day
Daily energy: 45 mi / 3.4 mi/kWh = 13.2 kWh
Annual energy (Mon-Fri commute, 250 days): 3,300 kWh
Add weekend driving (5,000 mi/yr at home charge): another 1,470 kWh
Total annual home charging: ~4,770 kWh
Annual cost:
- All off-peak (smart-scheduled): 4,770 x $0.08 = $382
- Mixed 80/20 off/on-peak: $415
- All on-peak (worst case): $1,526
- D-1 flat rate: $620
Smart-vs-dumb charger payback comes from the difference between scheduled off-peak and unscheduled mixed: $238/year. A $250 smart upcharge pays back in 13 months for this driver.
Scenario 2: Lightning work truck, 95 mi/day with weekend towing
Daily energy: 95 mi / 2.0 mi/kWh = 47.5 kWh
Annual energy (work + tow): ~16,000 kWh
At 48A overnight, 8 hours of charging adds 92 kWh - covers daily plus buffer.
At off-peak rates: 16,000 x $0.08 = $1,280/year
Gas equivalent (30 mpg, $3.85): 16,000 mi at 0.128/mi = $2,051. Annual savings: $771.
If this driver uses Supercharger or EA when on the road (15 percent of miles at $0.40/kWh): adds $480 to annual cost. Total $1,760 - still beats gas.
Scenario 3: Two-EV household (Model 3 + Ioniq 5), Inspirada
Combined daily miles: 70
Daily energy: ~21 kWh
On a shared 60A circuit with power sharing (two Tesla Wall Connectors): each car gets 24A when both plugged in.
Time to charge both fully overnight (9 PM to 6 AM = 9 hours):
- 21 kWh required / shared 11.5 kW = 1.8 hours combined. Easily covered.
Annual cost (off-peak): 7,665 kWh x $0.08 = $613
Without power sharing, this household would need either two separate 48A circuits (additional 60A on the panel = often a panel upgrade at $2,400) or accept slower charging on one car. The smart-charger feature avoids $2,400 in one-time upgrade cost.
When Home Charging Beats DC Fast - and When It Doesn't
Public DC fast at Electrify America (Pass+ member): $0.36/kWh
Tesla Supercharger off-peak Las Vegas: $0.25/kWh
Tesla Supercharger peak: $0.55/kWh
Cost per mile (3.4 mi/kWh Model Y):
- Home off-peak: 2.35 cents
- Home on-peak: 9.41 cents
- Tesla off-peak Supercharger: 7.35 cents
- Tesla peak Supercharger: 16.18 cents
- EA Pass+: 10.59 cents
Home off-peak is 3-7x cheaper than public DC fast. A $1,343 home Tesla Wall Connector install pays back versus 100 percent Supercharging in about 14 months for a 12,000 mi/year driver. Versus EA Pass+, payback is 17 months.
The breakeven moves dramatically if you are on D-1 flat rate ($0.13): home is still cheaper, but payback stretches to 24+ months.
Cold and Heat Penalties (Henderson-Specific)
Henderson is mostly hot. The charging penalties:
- Summer (110+ F garage): Level 2 charging unaffected up to 115 F. Above that, some cars (E-GMP, Lightning) throttle to protect the pack. Park in shade or charge overnight.
- Winter (rare freezing): Level 2 unaffected. DC fast in Tahoe / Reno on a road trip drops 25-40 percent until pack warms.
- Preconditioning: Use the car's app to warm or cool the battery while still plugged in. Costs ~2-4 kWh extra but recovers full DC fast speed.
Decision Tree: Which Amperage Do You Need?
```
Step 1: What is your daily mileage?
< 30 mi: Level 1 may suffice
30-80 mi: 32A NEMA 14-50 sufficient
80-150 mi: 40-48A hardwired
> 150 mi: 48A minimum, consider 80A if truck/Rivian
Step 2: Do you have time-of-use rates?
Yes (TOU-D or Schedule EV): smart charger + 9-hour off-peak window
No (D-1): dumb charger + any time
Step 3: Two EVs?
Yes: power sharing on one circuit (saves panel upgrade)
No: single 48A circuit
Step 4: Battery > 100 kWh (Lightning ER, Rivian Max, EV9, Hummer)?
Yes: 48A minimum, 80A if you ever drive empty-to-full overnight
No: 48A overkill for most overnight charging
```
My Recommendations
- Tesla Model 3 / Y, Hyundai/Kia E-GMP, Mach-E (75-80 kWh): 48A hardwired Wall Connector or ChargePoint Home Flex. Full overnight in under 5 hours, plenty of margin for road-trip-empty starts.
- Larger packs (Lightning ER, Rivian Large/Max): 48A minimum; 80A if you regularly run below 20 percent. Ford Charge Station Pro at 80A is the only commonly-available 19.2 kW residential option.
- Plug-in hybrids and < 50 mi/day BEV drivers: NEMA 14-50 at 32A is enough.
- Two-EV households: Two Tesla Wall Connectors with power sharing on a single 60A circuit.
Henderson EV Charger Pros sizes every install to the car. We will pull your driving data from the manufacturer app and show you the exact payback before quoting. Call (838) 205-8397.
Authoritative References
- AFDC Electric Vehicle Charging Speeds - DOE charging level definitions and typical rates
- NV Energy Time-of-Use Schedule - Current TOU-D and Schedule EV pricing
- SAE J1772 Standard - Onboard charger acceptance limits per vehicle
- IRS Form 8911 - 30 percent residential EV charger tax credit
*Charging speeds and rates as of Q2 2026. Vehicle efficiency figures based on EPA combined and real-world Henderson driving conditions. Note: this article overlaps in places with our Level 1 vs Level 2 guide - the two may be consolidated in a future content review.*