Generator vs Battery Cost in Wisconsin
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
18.04 ¢/kWh
13.5 kWh recharge
$2.44
13.5 kWh (with losses)
$2.71
Generator fuel/hr
$2.81
Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Cost |
|---|---|
| 13.5 kWh battery recharge (baseline) | $2.44 |
| 13.5 kWh battery recharge (with losses) | $2.71 |
| Generator operating cost per hour | $2.81 |
Generator Hours at Equal Cost
In Wisconsin, one 13.5 kWh battery recharge with charging losses costs about $2.71. That equals roughly 1.0 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 Wisconsin
$2.44
13.5 kWh nationally
$2.37
Difference
+$0.06 (+2.7%)
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 Wisconsin — Recharge cost by battery size
- Electricity cost in Wisconsin — Rates, value score, affordability
- Electricity cost calculator for Wisconsin — Usage-based estimates
- Full Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
- At the average rate of 18.04¢/kWh, recharging a 13.5 kWh home battery costs approximately $2.44 (baseline) or about $2.71 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 Wisconsin?
- One 13.5 kWh battery recharge with losses costs about $2.71 in Wisconsin. That equals roughly 1.0 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.