# Do Solar Panels and Electric Cars Work Together?

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/do-solar-panels-and-electric-cars-work-together/
- Published: 2020-03-30T04:30:21-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

So do solar panels and electric cars go together? First of all, are you shopping
for a new car? If you’re looking for one that makes the most financial sense go 
EV. I mean you [really should definitely consider an electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/10/great-site-to-be-really-educated-on-purchasing-an-electric-scooter/)
car. With high and volatile gas prices, many car shoppers are exploring alternative
fuel [vehicles such as hybrid or electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/11/the-case-for-electric-vehicles-now/)
cars.

[⌊Do solar panels and electric cars go together?⌉⌊Do solar panels and electric cars
go together?⌉[ Source: Energy Sage

On first blush, these cars may seem more expensive, but if you conduct a full “cost
of ownership” analysis, the gap narrows considerably and electric cars may even 
come out ahead. What’s really amazing, though, is what happens to the cost of owning
and operating an electric car when the electricity you use to fuel it is produced
by a solar panel system installed at your home or business. When you add solar panels
to the mix, the electric car becomes incredibly economical. Here’s how it works:

#### **PV Solar Compared to Electric Cars: Leaf, Prius vs. Civic**

[[ Source: Energy Sage

To illustrate, we looked at three compact car options, comparing the costs of buying,
maintaining and operating a traditional gasoline fueled car (e.g., Honda Civic),
an electric car (e.g., [Nissan Leaf](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/nissan-leafs-can-power-the-office-as-well-as-the-home/)
or BMW i3) and a hybrid car (e.g., Toyota Prius). If you look only at purchase price,
the gas-powered cars are the cheapest, while the electric cars are quite a bit more
expensive. Once you factor in the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric cars, however,
the difference narrows substantially.But purchase price can’t be your only financial
consideration.

Over the course of your ownership, you will incur other costs. That’s such as fuel,
maintenance, insurance, and other expenses. All related to running and maintaining
your vehicle. We totaled up the costs for a 10 year period on an EV. SO this is 
what we found. This [electric car](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/envision-virgin-racing-remain-championship-leaders-despite-difficult-sanya-e-prix/)
is the cheapest to own and operate at about $48,500. All while the gasoline powered
car is the most expensive to own and operate at about $63,500.

In conclusion, that’s a $15,000 difference in favor of the electric car.
 [For more on this story](https://news.energysage.com/need-a-new-car-combining-solar-panels-and-electric-cars-makes-perfect-financial-sense/?rc=p-green-living-guy)

[[

## Comments

### By: Mary

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/do-solar-panels-and-electric-cars-work-together/#comment-25570
- Published: 2017-04-07T12:45:16-04:00

Cool article – it definitely shows the benefit of solar power. When properly installed
in a home, it can significantly reduce energy costs in the home, and as you’ve shown
here, the savings can go even further! Thanks for this great information!