I grew up here in Wyoming. And like many locals, driving a trusty truck or SUV suited to backroads and bad weather is a long-held tradition. So you can imagine reactions when neighbors and friends heard I bought a " California electric car" last year!
But as an energy analyst studying environment and transportation trends, I couldn‘t wait to become an EV pioneer in my home state. I wanted to document the reality of driving an electric vehicle across Wyoming‘s 97,000 sprawling square miles as infrastructure expands.
So I bought a 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric. And over 12,000 gas-free miles driven so far, I’ve tracked charging costs in detail, discovered infrastructure gaps, and learned firsthand what incentivizes (or deters) fellow Wyomingites from choosing electric.
Here’s my in-depth run-down on the at-times-messy transition to EVs underway in the nation’s least populated state.
Wyoming‘s Expanding EV Infrastructure
Current Charging Station Locations
As of January 2023, Wyoming now has a total of 382 public charging stations offering 953 outlets, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Energy.
While Wyoming ranks far behind more EV-friendly states in sheer numbers, adjusting for population offers better context. With around 160 charging outlets per million residents, Wyoming actually places ahead of EV leader California in charging accessibility relative to drivers!
Top counties by number of public charging stations:
| County | Charging Stations |
| Laramie County | 84 |
| Natrona County | 69 |
| Campbell County | 32 |
| Sheridan County | 29 |
| Sweetwater County | 28 |
The vast majority lie along interstates and highways like I-80 through Cheyenne and I-90 spanning Sheridan to Buffalo. Destination stations scattered throughout smaller towns play a crucial role enabling longer trips across the state as well.
During my EV travels around Wyoming, I’ve found that locating chargers becomes far trickier west of the Continental Divide. Stretches like 70 miles of I-80 crossing southern Wyoming still require careful planning for any EV driver.
Expanding Fast Charging Infrastructure
Luckily, upgrades are coming thanks to Wyoming‘s plans to spend $24 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding over 5 years.
The state aims to add more 150 kW+ fast chargers strategically along I-25, I-80 and I-90 over the next several years. EV drivers will hugely benefit from these high-powered charging sites placed no more than 50 miles apart near highway exits.
Wyoming‘s NEVI plan also thoughtfully designates alternative routes like US-85 and US-287 for additional fast charger funding. Interstates may be unfamiliar with traffic jams, but these highways see heavy use transporting agriculture products and connecting smaller towns.
Between the state and private companies like Tesla expanding their networks, Wyoming‘s EV infrastructure puzzle pieces are falling into place.
How Much Does Charging an EV in Wyoming Cost?
Here‘s where being an EV owner in Wyoming has major perks thanks to the state‘s abundant and affordable electricity.
Electricity Prices vs Gas Prices
Wyoming boasts the 4th lowest average retail price for residential electricity nationwide. At just $0.11 per kWh, powering up at home costs me under $0.04 per mile driven in my EV.
Compare that to the $3.70 per gallon drivers are currently paying at the pump in Wyoming. With my old gasoline SUV averaging 22 MPG combined, I was shelling out $0.17 per mile!
The math is clear: fueling up my new EV is saving me over $700 per year compared to my previous gas-powered vehicle.
And that‘s just counting lower electricity prices here. Maintenance on my EV is vastly cheaper too without engine oil changes or tune-ups needed.
Home Charging vs Public Charging Cost Comparison
Now let‘s break down what drivers pay to charge different EV models in Wyoming.
I‘ll compare home and public Level 2 charging costs first for 3 top-selling electric vehicles today:
| Battery Size | Home Charge Cost | Public Charge Cost | |
| Tesla Model 3 | 60 kWh | $6.60 | $17.10 |
| Chevy Bolt | 65 kWh | $7.15 | $18.70 |
| Nissan Leaf | 62 kWh | $6.82 | $17.82 |
With electricity around $0.25 per kWh at public stations – more than double Wyoming‘s residential rate – frequent use adds up fast compared to home charging.
Installing a Level 2 charger in your garage typically costs $500-800 including hardware and labor. For me, the investment paid itself off through cheaper charging within the first year of ownership.
DC fast charging is less common for daily use, but sometimes essential for Wyoming‘s long highway stretches. A 55 kWh top up from a 150 kW fast charger costs in the $15-20 range – best reserved for travel days.
One Wyoming Owner‘s Actual Charging Expenses
To add real-world context, I interviewed Randy from Cheyenne who drives a 2021 Audi e-tron. Over the past year, he logged 11,222 electric miles around the state.
Randy estimates 75-80% of his charging happens using a Level 2 charger installed in his garage. His remaining sessions rely on public infrastructure expanding around Cheyenne and across favorite ski destinations like Jackson Hole.
In 2022, Randy calculated he spent $517 total on charging costs. That‘s around 5 cents per mile driven! His particular EV model would need premium fuel costing $5.50 per gallon as a gas vehicle.
"I‘d be looking at $2,000+ spent on gasoline to drive this luxury crossover 11,000 miles," Randy figured. "The electric running costs are pennies in comparison."
And that tally doesn‘t even account for far lower maintenance expenses without oil changes or engine air filters to worry about.
"The charging network could still improve, but I love cruising around Wyoming without burning gas or oil," he said.
EV Incentives in Wyoming (Or Lack Thereof)
While Wyoming offers bargain electricity prices that help curb charging costs, buyers won‘t find state incentives encouraging drivers into electrified transportation yet.
No cash rebates, tax credits, or exemptions exist at the state level for purchasing or leasing an EV in Wyoming currently.
HOV lane access permits for plug-in drivers also haven’t emerged in Wyoming‘s uncongested interstates. However, the Department of Transportation has been directed to study potential incentives that would promote EV adoption.
So progress may come gradually with future policy changes.
Federal Tax Credits Help Buyers
The good news is that federal electric vehicle tax credits are still available to Wyoming buyers on certain new EV models not yet phased out by manufacturers.
Up to a $7,500 credit applies based on an EV‘s battery capacity, reducing the taxes you owe. So federal incentives can stretch an EV buyer‘s budget despite higher upfront sticker prices and no complementary state programs yet.
Used electric vehicle shoppers also benefit from a recently expanded federal tax credit up to $4,000. Just note it only applies to certified EVs purchased from a dealership under a $25,000 sale price cap.
Between cheap overnight charging at home and qualifying for credits taking the sting out of MSRP, an EV becomes realistic for more Wyoming families because of helpful federal policies.
Our state legislators will hopefully take the lead from what aggressive incentive packages in neighboring regions like Colorado have accomplished, though.
The Bottom Line: Owning an EV in Wyoming
One year and 12,000 miles later road tripping to Yellowstone, the Tetons and back, I’m sold on driving electric full-time even across Wyoming‘s rugged frontier.
Here are the key lessons I’ve learned about transitioning to an EV in the nation’s most sparsely populated state:
Infrastructure Gaps Exist, But Improving – Charging stations continue concentrating along interstates and population centers for now. Western routes still require planning ahead. But new NEVI funding and additions from Tesla will connect more corridors soon.
Home Charging Saves Substantially – Wyoming‘s ultra-low electricity rates make installing a garage EVSE the best way to fuel up. I‘m saving $700+ yearly over my old gas-burner thanks to $0.11 per kWh overnight charging.
Incentives Currently Lacking – Unfortunately no state tax credits or rebates help curb EV costs today like in other regions. Federal credits up to $7,500 do assist buyers though if eligible.
Future Looks Bright – With chargers expanding thanks to $24 million in dedicated NEVI funding, range anxiety worries will ease soon for EV adventurers looking to ditch gas while exploring Wyoming‘s natural beauty.
I can confidently say after extensive firsthand experience that electric vehicles already make financial and practical sense for many Wyoming families given our state’s ideal electricity rates.
And the open-range EV journey will only accelerate as infrastructure gaps get filled in coming years.
So what obstacles or questions still hold you back from going electric? Let me know in the comments!
