Calculate the cost to charge your electric vehicle at home or public stations. Compare Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging costs.
Charging an electric vehicle is dramatically cheaper than fueling a gas car — but costs vary widely depending on where and how you charge. Home charging at average US electricity rates costs $0.03–$0.05 per mile. Public Level 2 chargers cost $0.05–$0.10 per mile. DC fast charging can cost $0.10–$0.20+ per mile.
This calculator estimates your charging cost based on your EV's battery size, local electricity rates (home) or per-kWh pricing (public), and your driving patterns. For most EV owners, 80–90% of charging happens at home overnight.
Understanding your charging costs is essential for comparing EV ownership to gas vehicles and for budgeting your monthly transportation expenses.
Whether you drive a compact sedan, a full-size SUV, or a pickup truck, accurate ev charging cost figures help you plan smarter and avoid costly surprises at the pump or dealership. Use this tool regularly to track changes over time and adjust your transportation budget accordingly.
EV charging costs vary 5x depending on the charging method. This calculator helps you understand the true cost of charging at home versus public stations, so you can minimize expenses and accurately compare to gasoline costs. Results update instantly as you adjust inputs, making it easy to explore different scenarios and find the best option for your driving needs and budget.
Charge Cost = Energy Needed (kWh) × Price per kWh Energy Needed = Battery Capacity × (Target SoC − Current SoC) / 100 Cost per Mile = Charge Cost ÷ (Range gained)
Result: $6.30 for 180 miles of range
Energy: 75 × (80−20)/100 = 45 kWh. Cost: 45 × $0.14 = $6.30. Range regained: 300 × 60/100 = 180 miles. Cost per mile: $6.30/180 = $0.035/mile.
At the US average of $0.14/kWh, charging costs about $0.04/mile. In states with cheap electricity (WA, OR, ND at $0.10/kWh), it's $0.03/mile. In expensive states (CA, CT, MA at $0.25/kWh), it's $0.07/mile. Even in the most expensive state, EV charging is cheaper per mile than gas.
Level 2 (AC, 3–19 kW): Usually free–$0.30/kWh. Cost per mile: $0.03–$0.09. DC Fast Charging (50–350 kW): $0.30–$0.50/kWh. Cost per mile: $0.08–$0.15. Tesla Supercharger: $0.25–$0.50/kWh for Tesla, varies for others.
For 1,000 miles/month at 3.5 mi/kWh: Home (all): ~$40. Home 80% + DCFC 20%: ~$60. Public L2 (all): ~$70. DCFC (all): ~$115. Equivalent gas car: ~$125. Home charging delivers the biggest savings.
With a home solar system, EV charging can be virtually free after the solar investment pays back. A 7 kW solar system generates enough for 25–30 miles/day of driving in sunny areas. The combined solar + EV investment pays back in 5–8 years through gas and electricity savings.
At the US average electricity rate of $0.14/kWh, fully charging a 75 kWh EV costs about $10.50. Most people charge from 20% to 80% (45 kWh), costing about $6.30. Monthly cost for 1,000 miles at 3.5 mi/kWh is about $40.
DCFC networks charge $0.30–$0.50/kWh, sometimes with session fees ($1–$5) or idle fees after charging completes. At $0.40/kWh, a 45 kWh session costs $18 — about 3x home charging but still cheaper than gas per mile.
Almost always. At $0.14/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh, electricity costs $0.04/mile. Gas at $3.50/gallon and 28 MPG costs $0.125/mile. That's about 70% savings. Even DCFC at $0.12/mile is cheaper than gas.
Many utilities offer off-peak rates of $0.05–$0.10/kWh vs. peak rates of $0.25–$0.45/kWh. Charging overnight at off-peak rates can cut your charging cost by 40–70%. Most EVs can be scheduled to charge during off-peak hours.
Yes. Electrify America Pass+ ($4/month) reduces per-kWh pricing. Tesla Supercharger offers different rates for Tesla vs non-Tesla vehicles. ChargePoint costs vary by station owner. Compare plans based on your usage pattern.
The average EV adds about 250–350 kWh/month to household electricity consumption (1,000–1,200 miles/month). At $0.14/kWh, that's $35–$50/month added to your bill. Compare this to $100–$200/month in gasoline for an equivalent gas car.