Polestar 3 in Arkansas
Home charging at 12.73¢/kWh (EIA). 38 kWh per 100 miles (EPA combined). Public DC fast: 38¢/kWh avg.
EV vs gas car — annual fuel cost
The Polestar 3 at home rates compared against a typical 28-mpg gas car and a 40-mpg hybrid at the Arkansas fuel price ($2.85/gal).
| Annual mileage | Polestar 3 (home) | 28-mpg gas | 40-mpg hybrid | EV savings vs gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,000 mi | $290 | $611 | $428 | $320 |
| 10,000 mi | $484 | $1018 | $713 | $534 |
| 12,000 mi | $580 | $1221 | $855 | $641 |
| 15,000 mi | $726 | $1527 | $1069 | $801 |
| 20,000 mi | $967 | $2036 | $1425 | $1068 |
Home vs public DC fast charging
Home charging is the default cost optimization. Public DC fast charging in Arkansas runs about 3.0× the home rate. For 12,000 miles/yr entirely on DC fast, annual fuel cost would be $1733 vs $580 at home — a $1152 penalty. Apartment dwellers and road-trippers should price this in; daily commuters with home Level 2 can usually ignore public chargers.
DC fast rate is a network average (Electrify America + EVgo + Tesla Supercharger + ChargePoint). Real prices vary by location, time of day, and membership tier.
EV incentives in Arkansas
Arkansas does not currently run a state-level EV purchase rebate. Federal Section 30D credit of $7,500 still applies for qualifying vehicles (US-assembled with sourced battery components, MSRP cap, household income cap). Check the EV tax credit eligibility list for your vehicle. Some utilities offer charger installation rebates — check with your local utility.
Same vehicle in neighboring states
How Polestar 3 cost compares in Arkansas's contiguous neighbors. Relevant for cross-border driving and relocation decisions.
| State | Electricity | Gas | EV / 100mi | Saves vs gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (current) | 12.73¢ | $2.85 | $4.84 | $5.34 |
| Louisiana | 12.20¢ | $2.90 | $4.64 | $5.72 |
| Tennessee | 12.42¢ | $2.95 | $4.72 | $5.82 |
| Missouri | 12.59¢ | $2.95 | $4.78 | $5.75 |
| Oklahoma | 12.81¢ | $2.90 | $4.87 | $5.49 |
| Mississippi | 13.59¢ | $2.85 | $5.16 | $5.01 |
| Texas | 15.27¢ | $2.85 | $5.80 | $4.38 |
Vehicle specs
- EPA combined efficiency: 38 kWh/100 miles
- EPA range: 315 miles
- Make / model: Polestar 3
Other EVs in Arkansas
Common questions
- How much does it cost to charge a Polestar 3 at home in Arkansas?
- About $4.84 per 100 miles at the Arkansas residential electricity rate of 12.73¢/kWh (EIA). For comparison, a 28-mpg gas car at local gas prices costs $10.18 per 100 miles. Annual savings at 12,000 miles: ~$641.
- Home charging vs public DC fast charging — what's the difference in Arkansas?
- Public DC fast charging in Arkansas averages ~38¢/kWh — that's 3.0× home rates. A 100-mile session costs roughly $14.44 at public chargers vs $4.84 at home. For daily commuting, home charging pays off. Public fast charging is for road trips and apartment dwellers without home charging access.
- Are there EV incentives in Arkansas?
- Arkansas does not currently run a state-level EV purchase rebate. The federal Section 30D tax credit ($7,500) still applies for qualifying vehicles, and your utility may run separate charger-installation rebates.
- Does winter weather affect charging cost in Arkansas?
- Yes — cold weather can reduce EV efficiency by 15-30% (battery + heater draw). The numbers above use EPA combined ratings; budget +20% for sustained sub-freezing temps. Winter range drop is most pronounced for northern states.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.