Title: Is it cheaper to charge an EV with a separate meter?

Is it cheaper to charge an EV with a separate meter?

Is it cheaper to charge an EV with a separate meter? Electric vehicles (EVS) are the future – cleaner, quieter and brighter. But most EV owners immediately consider one thing:

How can I charge them at home without spending more on my electricity bill?

Many people are considering installing a separate electricity meter just for their EVS. The big question is: will it save them money?

Let’s take a closer look.

What’s the difference?

Home meter

This is the standard electricity meter installed in every home. It records the electricity consumption for everything you use – fans, lights, fridge, TV, water heater, air conditioning and your EV.

Charging your EV with this meter is easy: plug it into a wall socket or your home charger, and the electricity costs are added to your monthly bill.

Separate EV Meter

Adding this extra meter only measures the KW hours you use to charge your EV. It’s like sending a monthly electricity bill to your car.’ You have to apply for a new connection from your local electrical board.

The government-owned and private entities are Adani Electricity, Tata Power, MSCB Best Supply, and Torrent Power (all DISCOM companies in Mumbai). You get a meter for your EV charger through the same supply company that provides your household power.

Using all the information shared, the wiring will be set up to connect your EV charger once applications are complete.

So, is it cheaper?

Yes, a separate meter can save you money on your EV charging costs; this is part of why special EV rates exist in some regions.

Let’s talk about the reasons.

1. Lower Electricity Rates for EV Meters

Certain states or electricity companies provide discounted rates on EV charging. These are much less than the typical residential electricity rates (particularly for night or off-peak hours).

Example:

Assume the regular household rate is ₹10 per unit.

But your power company has a separate meter for a special EV charging rate of ₹5 or ₹6 per unit.

If you charge your EV at home daily, those savings add up quickly.

Bonus tip:

Some EV tariffs incorporate time-of-use pricing—electricity is cheaper late at night. Charge between 10 pm and 6 am to save even more.

2. Separate Your EV Use for Accounting

It’s difficult to tell how much of the electricity powering your car is running through the same meter that fuels your home appliances.

But with a dedicated EV meter, it’s crystal clear. You can see:

Your EV is consuming how many units?
How much does it cost to drive daily or monthly
Provided your charging pattern is efficient

This makes it easier to budget and comes in handy if you’re trying to work out per-kilometre costs.

Real-Life Benefit:

Some companies or government offices provide EV reimbursements or incentives, and tracking separate usage data can help make claims easier to process and more transparent.

3. DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR HOME METER

EV chargers use much power, especially if you use a fast charger daily. Older homes or small apartments may not have been designed to handle this additional load.

With your home meter as usual:

Could cause overloading
Might trip breakers often
This can lead to damaged wiring.

With a separate meter:

This means your EV gets its own dedicated supply and sanctioned load.
You lighten the load on your main meter.
The arrangement is much safer, more hygienic, and more reliable.

Bonus:

If you want to install a Level 2 (fast home charger) charger, you may need a separate meter from the electricity board.

What About the Installation Cost?

Yes, there’s some upfront investment:

New connection fee (charged by the electricity provider)
Wiring and breaker installation
EV charger setup (if not already installed)

Depending on your city and provider, this could cost between ₹5,000 and ₹25,000 or more.

But over time, especially if you drive daily, you’ll recover this through lower charging rates, better safety, and possibly government incentives.

When Is a Separate Meter a Good Idea?

You charge at home daily or frequently
Your electricity provider offers special EV rates
You want to track EV usage separately
Your current home meter isn’t powerful enough
You’re looking for long-term savings

When You Might Skip It

Your EV is rarely charged at home
You have to depend on public charging stations
Your energy provider has a no-EV tariff plan
You are not living in a rented property, or do not want to change the electrical layout.

Final Thoughts: Is charging an EV with a separate meter cheaper?

A separate EV meter isn’t for everyone, though. But if you’re serious about EV ownership and want to get as much value out of home charging as possible, it’s something to consider.

You’ll enjoy:

Improved control of your vehicle’s energy consumption.
Savings from lower rates that might be passed on.
The setup is also safer and more reliable.

Do you have questions about the process or EV meter charges in your city? Comment below or contact your local electricity board—they generally have all the information and can assist you in getting started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is a separate EV meter?

A separate EV meter is an additional electricity meter installed in your home to charge your electric vehicle. It helps track only your EV’s power usage and, depending on your provider, may qualify you for lower electricity rates.

Q2. Is it cheaper to charge with a separate EV meter?

In many cases, yes. Some electricity providers offer special discounted EV charging rates if you have a dedicated meter. This can help lower your monthly EV charging costs.