Case Study: How to Save Money Owning an EV and Solar System
How to save money owning an EV is a question more homeowners are asking — and Casey R. found the answer firsthand.
Casey loved driving his electric vehicle. But charging it was becoming a problem. Using PECO's power grid for home charging, his electricity costs climbed faster than expected.
His workplace had limited chargers, and his daily commute offered few public options. The cost of owning an EV was starting to feel less like a savings and more like a trade-off.
How to Save Money Owning an EV With Solar - How Casey R. Does This
Before getting into Casey's results, it helps to understand why EV ownership has real, documented cost advantages over gas-powered vehicles — and where those savings actually come from.
Casey R. loved owning his electric vehicle (EV). However, finding convenient and free options to charge his car was becoming a problem.
Charging at home using PECO's power grid, Casey's utility bills quickly became higher than ever. With limited electric chargers at his workplace and few charging options on his commute, something needed to change.
After researching, Casey decided the best solution would be to install his own solar power system. Casey's decision to pair his EV with home solar panels represents the significant shift in how Americans power their lives while caring for the planet. In 2020 alone, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, solar made record growth with a 43% national increase in use.
Why Casey Chose Solar Over the Alternatives
Together, EVs and solar energy technologies capture the imagination of homeowners interested in independence, sustainability, and self-reliance. Plus, choosing home solar makes owning an EV even more convenient, efficient, and less expensive.
A solar home doesn't just benefit from electric vehicle costs, either. In many cases, homeowners' solar panels can power charging their EV every night and cover their entire home's electrical needs too.
The Energy Math
On average, an EV needs 3,120 kWh per year to charge for a daily commuter. With today's industry-leading solar panels from SunPower, it only requires six (6) solar panels to produce enough power to charge your EV daily. You can find how much you'll save by switching from a gas vehicle to an electric vehicle with this free online calculator:
Without a home solar system, charging an electric car from the grid poses risks to the health of our planet and future generations. Coal and natural gas, both of which produce harmful greenhouse gases, still provide a significant portion of total electricity for energy companies across the nation.
On the other hand, a solar energy system provides onsite power from a completely renewable and clean energy source – the Sun! Using renewable energy to charge your EV each day has a huge impact on the environment by reducing CO2 emissions.
To see real examples of what this looks like in practice, explore TerraSol Energies' remarkable off-grid solar project from 2022, where a homeowner achieved complete energy independence.
What Casey's System Does Every Day
For Casey, his home solar system allows him to charge his Tesla while reducing his utility bill. By using the remaining solar panels to power his entire home, he's saving money and helping to protect the environment, too!
The Full Cost Picture Of Installing EV With Solar
Before getting into Casey's results, it helps to understand why EV ownership has real, documented cost advantages over gas-powered vehicles — and where those savings actually come from.
Lower Fuel Costs
Electricity costs less than gasoline, and the difference is significant. The average American driver spends around $3,000 annually on gas. In 2021, electricity averaged 11.18 cents per kWh across the U.S.
When you translate that into driving costs, EVs can achieve fuel costs comparable to paying under $1 per gallon of gasoline. Gas prices have continued to fluctuate well above that level.
EVs are also about four times more energy efficient than gasoline vehicles. A gas-powered car converts only about 12 to 30% of its fuel into motion. An electric drivetrain converts around 77% of electrical energy into movement.
That efficiency gap is why EV owners save about $1,000 annually on fuel compared to drivers of comparable ICE vehicles.
For a practical example: the Ford Lightning, an electric version of the best-selling truck in America, costs dramatically less per mile to operate than its gasoline counterpart — without giving up range or utility.
The Hyundai Kona Electric follows the same pattern compared to the same model with a combustion engine. The numbers hold across the EV market.
Maintenance Cost Savings
EVs require 40% to 50% less maintenance than gas vehicles. This is a direct result of having fewer moving parts. Electric drivetrains don't require oil changes, transmission fluid, timing belts, or spark plug replacements.
EVs require no oil. Period. That alone eliminates one of the most frequent routine maintenance costs gas car owners face.
EV maintenance costs run about half of what combustion vehicle owners pay. According to a 2020 study, EV owners save between $6,000 and $10,000 over the life of their vehicle compared to owners of comparable gasoline vehicles. A separate analysis puts lifetime EV maintenance savings at about $4,600.
Regenerative braking also reduces wear on brake pads and rotors, extending their lifespan well beyond what's typical for a gas vehicle. Many EV owners go years without needing brake service.
Proper tire maintenance matters more with EVs due to their battery weight — maintaining correct PSI improves both driving range and tire lifespan.
The bottom line: the total cost of ownership for an electric car is lower than for a gas vehicle, even when the upfront cost is higher.
The Purchase Price and Upfront Cost
The vehicle purchase price for a new EV is often higher than that of the same model with a combustion engine. That upfront cost is real. But it's offset by both ongoing savings and available incentives.
The federal EV tax credit provides up to $7,500 for new EVs. This credit applies directly to your tax bill and reduces your total cost. Many vehicles qualify, but income limits and price caps apply.
Many states offer rebates that you can combine with the federal credit to lower your upfront cost.
Homeowners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware can also take advantage of significant solar incentives — learn about the direct benefits of installing solar panels, including the 30% federal ITC, PA SRECs, and the NJ SuSI program.
In 2024, EV owners saved $262 million through fuel savings, lower maintenance, and incentives. Most EVs break even within five years.
Incentives change, so check current eligibility before you buy.
Driving Efficiency Habits That Maximize Savings
Once you own an EV, a few driving habits make a measurable difference in how far your battery takes you and how much you spend charging it:
Gentle acceleration and maintaining consistent speeds improve fuel economy and extend battery range.
Using regenerative braking minimizes wear on brake pads and recovers energy back into the battery.
Maintaining proper tire PSI improves driving range — EV batteries carry significant weight, and underinflated tires increase energy demand.
HOV lanes also provide a real advantage in congested areas. Many EVs qualify for HOV lane access even with a single occupant, which reduces travel times and can lower the effective cost of commuting.
Home Charging: Where EV Owners Save the Most
Home charging is where EV owners save the most money. Charging at home during off-peak hours costs much less than using public stations.
Many utility companies offer Time-of-Use rates. These charge less for electricity used overnight. Charging your car at night lowers your power bills. Utilities do this to reduce daytime demand while helping you save.
TerraSol's service area includes PECO customers, and TerraSol has established itself as the #1 industrial and commercial solar installer in the PECO region, helping homeowners and businesses alike reduce their grid dependency.
Your local utility might also offer rebates for installing a home charger. Call them to see what programs are available.
An EV needs about 3,120 kilowatt-hours a year for daily driving. If you install a home solar system, you can generate that power yourself for much less than buying it from the grid.
What Casey Did - Pairing Solar and EV
This is where Casey's story becomes relevant to any homeowner weighing the same decision.
After Casey's electricity costs rose from charging his Tesla at home, he worked with TerraSol to install a home solar system. The result: his solar panels now power his EV charging every night, and the remaining electricity production covers his entire home's electrical needs.
Solar electricity costs about $0.06 per kWh over the life of a system — roughly a third of what most homeowners pay to the grid. For Casey, that meant his fuel costs for driving dropped as close to zero as practically possible.
A home solar system doesn't just reduce EV charging costs. It reduces your total electricity costs while also insulating you from rising utility rates. Together, EVs and solar energy give homeowners real independence from high gas prices and volatile electricity markets.
To learn more about how solar panel installation works, read our expert guide to solar system installation.
The Environmental Impact
Without a home solar system, charging an electric car from the grid still carries an environmental cost. Coal and natural gas — both of which produce greenhouse gas emissions — still supply a significant share of electricity for utilities across the U.S.
When you charge your EV using solar power, you eliminate that dependency. Every kilowatt-hour of solar electricity used to charge your vehicle is a kilowatt-hour that didn't require burning fossil fuels. The environmental impact compounds over the years of ownership.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also reducing fuel costs is exactly why the combination of EVs and solar panels has become a practical choice for homeowners. Not just an idealistic one.
If you want to see how this plays out in commercial settings, too, TerraSol has documented sustainability wins like paving the road to auto dealership sustainability with Group 1 Automotive and the future of sustainable building design at Woodcrest Station Business Park.
The Numbers, Summarized
Here's what the data shows across EV ownership:
$1,000/year saved on average in fuel costs compared to gas vehicles
40–50% less spent on maintenance compared to ICE vehicles
$4,600 to $10,000 in total lifetime savings, depending on vehicle and usage
The break-even point is typically reached within five years for most EV owners
$7,500 available federal EV tax credit for qualifying vehicle purchases
$262 million saved collectively by EV owners in 2024 alone
~$0.06/kWh effective electricity cost when charging with home solar over 25 years
Pennsylvania homeowners can also earn income through PA solar incentive programs and the 2023 solar updates for businesses in Pennsylvania. A key way to accelerate payback on a solar investment.
Homeowners in New Jersey and Delaware have their own strong incentive programs as well. For a complete breakdown of what’s available and how it applies to your home, our team handles all permitting and incentive paperwork from day one.
Ready to Charge Your EV for Less?
Casey's situation — rising electricity bills from home charging, limited public infrastructure, and a search for a better solution — is one many EV owners in PA, NJ, and DE are facing right now.
The answer isn't to stop driving electric. It's to stop paying the grid to power your car.
TerraSol Energies, Inc. has been designing and installing solar systems for homeowners, businesses, and non-profits across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware for over 15 years. All installations are handled by certified solar technicians from consultation through grid activation.
If you want to see exactly how much you could save by pairing your EV with a home solar system, TerraSol can show you. Request your free custom solar proposal and get a real number based on your home, your usage, and your location.
Knowing how to save money owning an EV starts with understanding your options, and the right solar setup is one of the most effective ones available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV with solar panels?
Yes. Solar electricity costs about $0.06 per kWh over the life of the system, which is about one-third of the cost of electricity from the grid.
How many solar panels does it take to charge an electric car?
It takes six panels. An average EV requires 3,120 kWh of electricity per year for a daily commute, which six solar panels can produce.
How much money do you save on fuel by switching from a gas car to an EV?
EV owners save an average of $1,000 per year on fuel. Gas cars convert 12% to 30% of fuel into motion, while electric vehicles convert about 77%.
Do electric vehicles save money on maintenance?
Yes. EVs cost 40% to 50% less to maintain because they have fewer moving parts. They do not use oil, transmission fluid, timing belts, or spark plugs. This saves between $4,600 and $10,000 over the lifespan of the vehicle.
What government tax incentives are available for buying an EV?
There is a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualifying new EVs. Some states also offer additional rebates.
How long does it take for an EV to break even?
Most EV owners break even within five years through fuel savings, lower maintenance, and government incentives.
