Generator vs Battery Cost in Minnesota

This page compares the cost to recharge a standard 13.5 kWh home battery with the hourly fuel cost of a typical gasoline generator. Both figures are operating costs only—no purchase price or maintenance.

Electricity rate
16.04 ¢/kWh
13.5 kWh recharge
$2.17
13.5 kWh (with losses)
$2.41
Generator fuel/hr
$2.81

Cost Comparison

ScenarioCost
13.5 kWh battery recharge (baseline)$2.17
13.5 kWh battery recharge (with losses)$2.41
Generator operating cost per hour$2.81

Generator Hours at Equal Cost

In Minnesota, one 13.5 kWh battery recharge with charging losses costs about $2.41. That equals roughly 0.9 hours of generator operation at $2.81/hr under the assumptions used on this page.

13.5 kWh Recharge vs National Average

13.5 kWh in Minnesota
$2.17
13.5 kWh nationally
$2.37
Difference
$-0.21 (-8.7%)

Cost Comparison Chart

Battery vs generator costBattery vs generator cost. Minnesota — electricity at 16.04¢/kWh, generator at $3.75/gal. 13.5 kWh battery (baseline): $2.17; 13.5 kWh battery (with losses): $2.41; Generator per hour: $2.8113.5 kWh battery (baseline)$2.1713.5 kWh battery (with losses)$2.41Generator per hour$2.81
Minnesota — electricity at 16.04¢/kWh, generator at $3.75/gal

This page compares operating/recharge cost only. It does not compare purchase cost, battery lifespan, maintenance, outage performance, noise, installation, or safety.

More Data & Comparisons

Related electricity pages

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to recharge a 13.5 kWh battery in Minnesota?
At the average rate of 16.04¢/kWh, recharging a 13.5 kWh home battery costs approximately $2.17 (baseline) or about $2.41 with 10% charging losses.
How much does a gasoline generator cost to run per hour?
Under our assumptions (0.75 gal/hr at $3.75/gallon), a typical gasoline generator costs about $2.81 per hour to run.
Is recharging a home battery cheaper than running a generator in Minnesota?
One 13.5 kWh battery recharge with losses costs about $2.41 in Minnesota. That equals roughly 0.9 hours of generator operation at $2.81/hr. Whether battery or generator is cheaper depends on how many hours you run and how often you recharge.
What assumptions are used on this page?
We use: 13.5 kWh battery, 90% charging efficiency, 0.75 gal/hr generator fuel use, and $3.75/gallon gasoline. Electricity rates come from EIA data and vary by state.

Disclaimers