Generator vs Battery Cost in North Carolina
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
14.08 ¢/kWh
13.5 kWh recharge
$1.90
13.5 kWh (with losses)
$2.11
Generator fuel/hr
$2.81
Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Cost |
|---|---|
| 13.5 kWh battery recharge (baseline) | $1.90 |
| 13.5 kWh battery recharge (with losses) | $2.11 |
| Generator operating cost per hour | $2.81 |
Generator Hours at Equal Cost
In North Carolina, one 13.5 kWh battery recharge with charging losses costs about $2.11. That equals roughly 0.8 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 North Carolina
$1.90
13.5 kWh nationally
$2.37
Difference
$-0.47 (-19.9%)
Cost Comparison Chart
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
- Battery recharge cost in North Carolina — Recharge cost by battery size
- Electricity cost in North Carolina — Rates, value score, affordability
- Electricity cost calculator for North Carolina — Usage-based estimates
- Full North Carolina knowledge page — Rates, value score, affordability, trends
- All states generator vs battery cost
Related electricity pages
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to recharge a 13.5 kWh battery in North Carolina?
- At the average rate of 14.08¢/kWh, recharging a 13.5 kWh home battery costs approximately $1.90 (baseline) or about $2.11 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 North Carolina?
- One 13.5 kWh battery recharge with losses costs about $2.11 in North Carolina. That equals roughly 0.8 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.