EV Charging Cost Calculator: What You'll Actually Pay
TLDR: EV charging costs $0.04-0.12 per mile at home depending on electricity rates. Public charging runs $0.15-0.25 per mile. Gas cars cost $0.12-0.18 per mile at $3.50/gallon. EVs save $600-$1,500 annually on fuel for typical drivers.
The Simple Formula
Cost per mile = (Electricity rate per kWh) / (Miles per kWh efficiency)
Example:
- Electricity: $0.15/kWh
- EV efficiency: 3.5 miles/kWh
- Cost per mile: $0.15 / 3.5 = $0.043 per mile
Costs by Charging Scenario
| Scenario | Rate | Cost/Mile | Monthly (1,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home (off-peak TOU) | $0.08/kWh | $0.02 | $23 |
| Home (standard) | $0.15/kWh | $0.04 | $43 |
| Home (expensive) | $0.30/kWh | $0.09 | $86 |
| Public Level 2 | $0.30/kWh | $0.09 | $86 |
| Public DC Fast | $0.45/kWh | $0.13 | $129 |
| Gas car (35 mpg) | $3.50/gal | $0.10 | $100 |
Time-of-Use Optimization
Many utilities offer cheaper electricity at night. Example from California:
- Peak (4-9 PM): $0.50/kWh = $0.14/mile
- Off-peak (9 PM-8 AM): $0.12/kWh = $0.03/mile
Charging overnight cuts costs by 75%. Most EV apps let you schedule charging for off-peak hours.
EV Efficiency by Model
| Vehicle | Miles/kWh | Cost/Mile @$0.15 |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 LR | 4.0 | $0.038 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 4.2 | $0.036 |
| Chevy Bolt | 4.0 | $0.038 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 3.2 | $0.047 |
| Tesla Model Y | 3.5 | $0.043 |
| Rivian R1T | 2.5 | $0.060 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 2.2 | $0.068 |
Sedans are more efficient than trucks/SUVs—same as gas vehicles.
Annual Savings Calculation
For a driver doing 12,000 miles/year:
Gas car (30 mpg, $3.50/gallon):
- Gallons: 12,000 / 30 = 400
- Annual cost: 400 x $3.50 = $1,400
EV (3.5 mi/kWh, $0.12/kWh home charging):
- kWh needed: 12,000 / 3.5 = 3,429
- Annual cost: 3,429 x $0.12 = $411
Annual savings: $989
Q&A: EV Charging Costs
Q: Is it really cheaper than gas?
A: Almost always, especially with home charging. Even at high electricity rates ($0.30/kWh), EVs cost about the same as a 35 mpg gas car at $3.50/gallon. With off-peak charging, EVs are 50-75% cheaper.
Q: What about public charging costs?
A: Public DC fast charging ($0.40-0.60/kWh) is expensive—roughly equal to gas. Use it for road trips, not daily driving. Home charging should be 90%+ of your charging.
Q: How much will my electric bill increase?
A: For 1,000 miles/month at average efficiency: 285 kWh. At $0.15/kWh = $43/month increase. Your gas spending drops to near zero, so net effect is positive.
Q: Are there any hidden costs?
A: EV "fuel" is straightforward—electricity cost times usage. Unlike gas, prices are stable and predictable. No oil changes, but budget for tire replacement (EVs are heavy, wear tires faster).
The Bottom Line
EV charging costs less than gas for most drivers. The savings are greatest with home charging on off-peak rates. Even in worst-case scenarios (high electricity, DC fast charging only), EVs roughly match gas car fuel costs.
Calculate your specific situation: take your electricity rate, divide by your car's efficiency, multiply by monthly miles. Compare to your current gas spending. The numbers usually favor EVs.
Regional Cost Variations
Electricity prices vary significantly by region:
| Region | Avg Rate | Cost/Mile | Monthly (1,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | $0.10/kWh | $0.03 | $29 |
| Southeast | $0.12/kWh | $0.03 | $34 |
| Texas | $0.14/kWh | $0.04 | $40 |
| Northeast | $0.22/kWh | $0.06 | $63 |
| California | $0.30/kWh | $0.09 | $86 |
| Hawaii | $0.40/kWh | $0.11 | $114 |
Even in expensive electricity markets, EVs typically cost less than gas—and time-of-use rates reduce costs further.
Total Cost of Ownership
Beyond fuel, consider total ownership costs:
Maintenance Savings
- No oil changes: Save $50-$100/year
- Brake wear reduced: Regenerative braking extends brake life 2-3x
- Fewer moving parts: Less that can break
- Annual maintenance: $100-$200 vs $500-$800 for gas cars
Tire Costs
- EVs wear tires faster (heavy batteries, instant torque)
- Budget $150-$300/year additional tire wear
- Net maintenance savings still positive
Maximizing Savings
Tips to minimize EV charging costs:
- Sign up for TOU rates: Off-peak charging saves 30-60%
- Install home charging: 90%+ home charging maximizes savings
- Add solar: Charging from solar = essentially free fuel
- Use free charging: Many workplaces, hotels, and stores offer free charging
- Preconditioning: Heat/cool car while plugged in to extend range
Breaking Even on Higher Purchase Price
EVs often cost more upfront. When do fuel savings offset the difference?
Example: EV costs $5,000 more than comparable gas car
- Annual fuel savings: $1,000
- Annual maintenance savings: $300
- Total annual savings: $1,300
- Breakeven: 3.8 years
Federal tax credits ($7,500 new, $4,000 used) often make EVs cheaper than equivalent gas cars from day one.
Charging Cost Tracking Apps
Monitor your actual charging costs:
- Tesla app: Shows charging costs per session and over time
- ChargePoint: Tracks home and public charging costs
- EV Connect: Aggregates charging across networks
- Your utility app: Many show EV-specific usage
EV charging costs are straightforward to calculate and track. For most drivers charging at home, EVs cut transportation fuel costs by 50-70%. Combined with lower maintenance and potential incentives, the total cost of driving electric is significantly less than gasoline.
Real-World Charging Cost Examples
Let's look at how actual EV owners experience charging costs across different situations:
The Petersons in Portland, Oregon: "We drive a Chevy Bolt and charge exclusively at home. Portland General Electric's off-peak rate is $0.06/kWh between midnight and 5 AM. Our monthly driving is about 1,100 miles. With the Bolt getting 4 miles per kWh, we use 275 kWh monthly. Our charging cost? Roughly $16.50 per month. We were spending $140 on gas before. The savings paid for our home charger in just four months."
David in San Diego: "California electricity isn't cheap—my standard rate is $0.38/kWh. But I signed up for SDG&E's EV-TOU-5 rate plan. Now I charge my Model Y between midnight and 6 AM at $0.11/kWh. For 1,000 monthly miles, I pay about $32 instead of what would be $109 at the standard rate. That's a 70% savings just by charging while I sleep."
Linda in Atlanta: "Georgia Power charges a flat $0.12/kWh. My Hyundai Ioniq 6 is incredibly efficient—I get 4.2 miles per kWh in warm weather. My 900 miles of monthly driving costs $26. My husband's truck was costing us $200/month in gas. The difference is like getting a raise."
Marcus in Phoenix: "Arizona summers are brutal on range—AC drops my efficiency to about 3 miles/kWh. But electricity here is $0.11/kWh flat rate. Even with reduced efficiency, I spend $44/month for 1,200 miles. In winter, efficiency jumps to 3.8 mi/kWh and costs drop to $35."
Detailed Regional Cost Comparisons
Electricity rates vary dramatically by state and utility. Here's a more detailed breakdown for the same 1,000-mile monthly driving scenario using a vehicle averaging 3.5 mi/kWh (286 kWh needed):
Low-Cost States
| State/Utility | Standard Rate | Off-Peak Rate | Monthly Cost | Annual Savings vs Gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Power | $0.085/kWh | $0.055/kWh | $16-$24 | $1,080-$1,176 |
| Washington (PSE) | $0.095/kWh | $0.065/kWh | $19-$27 | $1,044-$1,140 |
| Utah (Rocky Mtn) | $0.10/kWh | $0.07/kWh | $20-$29 | $1,008-$1,116 |
| Louisiana (Entergy) | $0.11/kWh | $0.08/kWh | $23-$31 | $960-$1,068 |
Moderate-Cost States
| State/Utility | Standard Rate | Off-Peak Rate | Monthly Cost | Annual Savings vs Gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (TXU) | $0.14/kWh | $0.09/kWh | $26-$40 | $852-$996 |
| Florida (FPL) | $0.13/kWh | $0.08/kWh | $23-$37 | $888-$1,032 |
| Colorado (Xcel) | $0.14/kWh | $0.06/kWh | $17-$40 | $852-$1,128 |
| Virginia (Dominion) | $0.15/kWh | $0.09/kWh | $26-$43 | $816-$996 |
High-Cost States
| State/Utility | Standard Rate | Off-Peak Rate | Monthly Cost | Annual Savings vs Gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (Eversource) | $0.28/kWh | $0.14/kWh | $40-$80 | $336-$816 |
| Connecticut (UI) | $0.30/kWh | $0.16/kWh | $46-$86 | $264-$744 |
| California (PG&E) | $0.42/kWh | $0.12/kWh | $34-$120 | -$240-$912 |
| Hawaii (HECO) | $0.43/kWh | $0.32/kWh | $92-$123 | -$276-$96 |
Even in expensive electricity markets like California and Hawaii, off-peak charging still saves money compared to gas—but the savings margin is smaller. This is why time-of-use optimization is essential in high-cost states.
Multi-Vehicle Household Calculations
For households with two or more EVs, charging costs scale but often with better efficiency:
The Nguyen family in Denver owns a Tesla Model 3 and a Ford Mustang Mach-E. "We installed a single 50-amp circuit with a splitter. The Model 3 charges first since it's more efficient. Combined monthly driving is 2,200 miles. At Xcel's off-peak rate of $0.06/kWh, our total charging bill is $38. We were spending $320 on gas for both our previous cars. The savings are paying for our daughter's college textbooks."
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
Electricity bills can be confusing. Here's what matters for EV charging:
Rate Structure Types
- Flat rate: Same price per kWh all day. Simplest to calculate. Most common outside major metros.
- Tiered rate: Price increases as usage goes up. EV charging often pushes you into higher tiers.
- Time-of-use (TOU): Different prices at different times. Best for EV savings when charging off-peak.
- EV-specific rate: Special rate for EV charging. Often the best deal if available.
Finding Your Rate
Your bill may show multiple charges:
- Energy charge (what you actually pay per kWh)
- Delivery charges (transmission costs)
- Taxes and fees
Add all charges and divide by total kWh to get your effective rate. This is the number to use for EV cost calculations.
Seasonal Variations
Electricity rates and EV efficiency both vary by season:
Summer
- Higher electricity rates in many areas (peak AC season)
- Better EV efficiency (batteries prefer warmth)
- TOU peak hours typically afternoon/evening (avoid charging then)
Winter
- Often lower electricity rates
- Reduced EV efficiency (cold batteries, cabin heating)
- Plan for 20-30% range reduction in cold weather
Real Homeowner Experiences
What actual EV owners pay:
The Johnsons, Oregon: "Our Model Y costs about $35/month to charge for 1,200 miles. We were spending $180/month on gas before. The savings paid for our Level 2 charger installation in 8 months."
Mike, California: "I signed up for PG&E's EV rate. Charging after midnight costs $0.10/kWh instead of $0.45. I set the car to charge at 12:30 AM and pay $40/month for 1,000 miles."
Sarah, Texas: "We're on a plan with free nights. EV charging is literally free between 9 PM and 6 AM. Our annual charging cost is essentially zero."
Workplace and Free Charging
Many EV owners access free or discounted charging:
- Workplace charging: Growing number of employers offer free or discounted EV charging
- Hotels: Many include free charging for guests
- Shopping centers: Free Level 2 charging at many malls and stores
- Apartments: Some properties include charging in rent
If you can charge free at work, your transportation fuel cost drops to near zero.
Planning Your Charging Budget
Create a realistic monthly charging budget:
- Estimate monthly miles (most Americans: 1,000-1,200)
- Check your EV's efficiency (EPA rating or owner's manual)
- Calculate kWh needed: miles / efficiency
- Multiply by your electricity rate
- Add 10% buffer for charging losses and variability
Example: 1,000 miles / 3.5 mi/kWh = 286 kWh x $0.14/kWh = $40 + 10% = $44/month budget
EV charging costs are predictable and controllable. Unlike gas prices that swing wildly, electricity rates are stable and you can optimize when you charge. For most drivers, switching to electric cuts fuel costs in half or more—and that's before considering the convenience of never visiting a gas station.