March 20, 2024

Florida Electric Vehicle and Electrification Statistics

6 Min. Read

As the state with the second-most EVs on the road, Florida is emerging as an electrification leader for the U.S.

Statewide programs designed to improve the EV charging infrastructure, lower-than-average electricity rates, and measures like an HOV decal for EVs are coming together to make EV adoption more appealing than ever.

In this article, we’ll take a look at EV adoption numbers, EV charging stations in Florida, and other important electrification facts.

Florida Electric Vehicle, EV Charging Statistics

Florida is currently ranked as the second state with the most EV registrations, behind California. Sales added up to a cumulative 238,500 EVs on the roads as of June 2023, and EV purchases represented more than 7% of new vehicle sales last year.

Finding EV charging stations in Florida is becoming easier, with more than 6,800 Level 2 charging stations and more than 2,200 DC Fast Charging locations available to the public. In total, the state has more than 9,000 public charging ports.

Florida’s hospitality industry is playing a vital role in making EV charging available. Tourism is the top industry in the state, and an ambitious project will soon roll out over 13,000 EV charging stations at hotels in three states, with Florida being one of them.

It’s worth noting that EV adoption remains unequal across the state. For instance, the number of miles driven in EVs added up to 637 per 1,000 residents in St. Johns County last year but was as low as 13 per 1,000 residents in Madison County.

Florida is also emerging as a popular destination for the EV and battery manufacturing sectors, with 40% of this growing industry located in the Southeast region. The solar industry is another sector that is thriving in Florida and contributing to EV adoption by lowering energy rates. During Q1 2023, Florida installed more solar utility-scale projects than any other state and increased its renewable energy production capacity by 1,460 MWDC.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV in Florida?

Charging costs can vary depending on the charging level, whether the charger is public or private, and other factors.

Public Charging

Several Florida cities offer free charging stations, but a majority of the state’s public EV charging stations use an hourly or subscription-based billing model.

The cost of charging tends to be higher for DC Fast Charging and in areas with high demand. However, with commercial electricity rates averaging $0.12 per kWh, public charging rates remain relatively affordable for businesses to offer fleet charging or other membership-based charging models.

While the commercial cost per kWh is quite low, many of these chargers will have an added charging fee for consumers. For instance, public charging in the city of Dunedin costs $0.20 per kWh on top of a flat $1.50 fee and a 5% transaction fee. While Public Level 2 EV charging stations in Florida may have a relatively low cost, using DC Fast Chargers will cost an average of $0.45 per kWh in Florida.

Charging At Home

Florida residents pay an average of $0.1526 per kWh to charge an EV, which is slightly lower than the national average of $0.1619 per kWh. This affordable residential energy rate makes at-home charging with a Level 2 station appealing and more cost-effective than public charging.

Motortrend ranks Florida as the 30th state in terms of EV charging cost affordability, with a full charge ranging between $6 and $13. For an EV with a larger battery capacity, charging costs can be as much as $1.50 below the national average per charge.

Of course, EV owners have to consider the upfront cost of upgrading their home with a Level 2 charger when considering the overall cost of charging their EV and there are many rebates and incentives to help reduce the installation costs for Floridians. Due to a large inventory of new homes, Florida homeowners often have access to a modern electric infrastructure that doesn’t require significant upgrades. Depending on the charger model you purchase and installation method, EV charger installation costs can vary between $800 and $2,000 or more for installing an at-home EV charging station in Florida—especially if your home also requires additional electrical updates to support installing an EV charger.

It’s also worth noting that EV charging rates can be even lower for residents who take advantage of Time-of-Use (TOU) programs offered by their utility provider. Going solar is another excellent way to reduce EV charging costs, with residential solar projects in Florida costing $3.31 per watt on average.

Are there any Free Public EV Charging Stations in Florida?

Finding free EV charging stations in Florida is relatively easy if you’re in a larger city. You can typically find free charging ports on college campuses and in parking lots for public buildings, airports, convention centers, and more. However, free EV charging can entail waiting in line, and charger downtime can be an issue.

Orlando and Miami each have over 200 free charging locations, making these destinations two of the best cities for EV drivers. The cities of Tampa, Jacksonville, and Boca Raton aren’t far behind, with over 100 free EV charging stations each.

Where Are the Public EV Charging Stations in Florida Located?

Like EV adoptions, access to EV charging stations in Florida is unequal and primarily concentrated in urban areas.

The Orlando metropolitan area, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale have some of the highest concentrations of public EV charging stations. The Southeast region and the Panhandle also have many EV charging options in the coastal areas.

EV drivers will find fewer charging options when traveling inland and away from urban areas. The Big Bend region has one of the lowest concentrations of public EV chargers.

However, Florida is actively developing its EV charging infrastructure with diverse projects, including a toll road that would charge EVs while they drive in Central Florida.

How Much Electricity Is Needed to Charge an Electric Vehicle Every Day in Florida?

Floridians typically drive 14,500 miles per year, which translates to driving slightly under 40 miles a day. Given that EVs have a range of three to four miles per kWh, the average EV driver would need to use 10 to 13kWh per day, depending on the range of their vehicle.

However, with regenerative braking recouping as much as 34% of the power used when driving in an urban environment with frequent stops, the amount of electricity needed to drive in a busy metropolitan area can be even lower than 10 kWh per day.

EV Charging and Other Electrification Technologies

Florida is also an ideal location for solar power, and this electrification technology is contributing to making EV charging more affordable.

Many utilities are investing in grid-scale solar projects, and residential solar is also a popular electrification trend. Florida waives sales and property taxes as an incentive on these systems, and most residents can benefit from an excellent solar coefficient on their property. Plus, Florida Light & Power, Gulf Power, and Duke Energy offer net metering programs to help offset the cost of investing in solar.

Many residents are opting to pair their solar arrays with battery storage systems, an appealing option thanks to the sales tax exemption on these materials. A battery system can help lower the cost of charging an EV and daily energy needs by storing energy from a solar array or the grid when a lower TOU rate is available and using it when electricity is in higher demand.

Going Electric With Qmerit

Affordable energy rates, busy urban environments, and an increasing number of EV charging stations in Florida are major factors that are contributing to high EV adoption in the Sunshine State.

There is no better time than now to explore going electric for Florida residents, and Qmerit can help make your electrification project come to life. As the largest and most trusted network of certified installers, we have completed over 450,000 EV charger installations and more than 81,000 solar panel integrations.

Give us a call at (888) 272-0090 or complete our online EV assessment.