EV Charging Cost & Savings Estimator | How do I calculate my EV charging cost?

⚡ EV TOOL

EV Charging Cost & Savings Estimator

Calculate your personalized EV charging cost — per mile, per charge, monthly, and yearly. Compare home vs. public charging and see how much you save vs. gasoline.

Enter Your Details

We’ll auto-fill state electricity rates and gas prices so you get an accurate estimate.

Your State (auto-fills rates) — Select a state — Please select your state.

EV Model (auto-fills specs) — Select your EV — Please select an EV model.

Annual Mileage (miles) Typical: 10,000–15,000 miles/year Enter a valid mileage (100–50,000).

Home Charging (%)

80%

% of charging done at home vs. public

Electricity Rate ($/kWh) Auto-filled from state average — edit if needed Enter a valid rate (0.01–0.60).

Gas Price ($/gallon) Auto-filled from state average — edit if needed Enter a valid gas price (0.50–8.00).

Charging Loss (%) AC charging loss: 10% typical (5–15%)

Inflation Rate (%) Used for 5-year projection

TOU Off-Peak Rate ($/kWh) If you have time-of-use pricing

Off-Peak Usage (%) % of charging during off-peak hours

📐 How We Calculate Your EV Charging Cost

Our estimator uses real data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), AAA, and the EPA to give you a personalized estimate.

Core formula:
Cost per mile = Electricity Rate ($/kWh) ÷ EV Efficiency (miles/kWh)

With charging loss:
Grid Energy = Battery Energy ÷ (1 − Charging Loss%)
Charging Cost = Grid Energy × Electricity Rate

Annual savings:
Savings = (Gas Cost) − (EV Charging Cost + Maintenance Difference)

Assumptions: AC loss 10% (adjustable), DC loss 5%, inflation 3%, gas MPG 25. Sources: EIA, AAA, EPA, DOE.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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⚡ EV vs Gas Cost Calculator 🗺️ EV Charging Cost by State 📏 V2G Revenue Calculator 💰 EV TCO Calculator 🔌 Charger Installation Cost

Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual costs vary based on local utility rates, driving habits, vehicle condition, weather, and other factors. Always verify with official sources and consult a qualified professional for financial decisions. Data sources: EIA, AAA, EPA, DOE. Last updated: 2026.

EV Charging Cost Calculator — How Much Does It Really Cost to Charge an EV?

If you’re considering an electric vehicle, one of the first questions you probably have is: “How much will it actually cost me to charge an EV?” The answer isn’t a single number — it depends on your state’s electricity rates, the EV model you choose, where and when you charge, and how many miles you drive.

This complete guide explains how to calculate EV charging costs, compares home vs. public charging, shows how much you can save vs. gasoline, and includes our free EV Charging Cost Calculator so you can get a personalized estimate in seconds.

Key Takeaways:
✓ Average home charging costs: $0.03–$0.06 per mile
✓ Average monthly charging cost: $40–$55 for 1,000 miles
✓ Annual savings vs. gas: $800–$1,500 (up to $2,200 in some states)
✓ Public fast charging is 2–4× more expensive than home charging
✓ Charging loss adds 10–15% to your actual electricity draw

🔢 EV Charging Cost Calculator

Use our free calculator below to get a personalized estimate based on your state, EV model, and driving habits. It auto-fills electricity rates and gas prices so you get an accurate result right away.

⚡ EV Charging Cost & Savings Estimator — enter your state, EV model, and driving habits above.

The calculator uses state electricity rates (EIA), gas prices (AAA), and EPA efficiency data for accurate estimates.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV?

On average, U.S. EV drivers pay about $0.03–$0.06 per mile when charging at home. For a typical driver covering 12,000 miles per year, that translates to:

• Monthly: $40–$55
• Annual: $500–$700

Compare that to a gasoline car at 25 MPG and $3.20/gallon — about $0.13/mile or $1,500/year. The savings are real, but they vary widely by state and model.

EV Charging Cost by State

Electricity rates vary dramatically across the U.S. — from about $0.10/kWh in states like Washington and Idaho to over $0.40/kWh in Hawaii. Here’s a quick look at the cheapest and most expensive states for EV charging (based on home rates):

Rank	State	Avg. Electricity Rate ($/kWh)	Est. Cost per Mile	Annual Cost (12k mi)
1	Washington	$0.103	$0.025	$300
2	Idaho	$0.097	$0.024	$288
3	Oklahoma	$0.111	$0.027	$324
4	Louisiana	$0.104	$0.025	$300
5	Utah	$0.108	$0.026	$312
48	California	$0.258	$0.063	$756
49	Hawaii	$0.421	$0.103	$1,236

Assumptions: 4.1 mi/kWh efficiency (Tesla Model 3). Actual costs vary by model and driving habits.

See full EV charging cost by state →

EV Charging Cost by Model

Your EV’s efficiency (miles per kWh) is the second biggest factor after electricity rates. More efficient EVs cost less per mile to charge. Here’s how popular models compare:

Model	Efficiency (mi/kWh)	Battery (kWh)	Cost per Mile (National avg)	Annual Cost (12k mi)
Lucid Air	4.4	118	$0.036	$436
Hyundai Ioniq 6	4.2	77.4	$0.038	$457
Tesla Model 3	4.1	75	$0.039	$468
Tesla Model Y	3.8	75	$0.042	$505
Kia EV6	3.7	77.4	$0.043	$519
Ford Mustang Mach-E	3.1	88	$0.052	$619
Rivian R1T	2.3	135	$0.070	$835

Assumes national avg rate $0.16/kWh, no charging loss. Your actual cost depends on your state rate.

Compare EV charging costs by model →

How to Calculate EV Charging Cost — Methodology

We use a transparent, data-driven approach to estimate your EV charging cost. Here’s the exact formula:

Core Formula:
Cost per mile = Electricity Rate ($/kWh) ÷ EV Efficiency (miles/kWh)

With Charging Loss:
Grid Energy = Battery Energy ÷ (1 − Charging Loss%)
Charging Cost = Grid Energy × Electricity Rate

Annual Savings vs. Gas:
Savings = (Gas Cost) − (EV Charging Cost + Maintenance Difference)

Data Sources: Our calculations use:

• Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) — state-level residential rates.
• Gas prices: AAA — state average regular unleaded.
• EV efficiency & battery capacity: EPA fueleconomy.gov and U.S. Department of Energy.
• Charging loss: Industry-standard 10% for AC (Level 1 & 2) and 5% for DC fast charging.

Step-by-Step Example: Tesla Model 3 in California

Let’s walk through a real example to see how the math works:

• Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 (efficiency 4.1 mi/kWh, battery 75 kWh)
• Location: California (electricity rate $0.258/kWh, gas $4.41/gal)
• Driving: 12,000 miles/year

Step 1 — Cost per mile (home charging):
$0.258 ÷ 4.1 = $0.063/mile

Step 2 — Monthly cost:
$0.063 × 1,000 miles = $63/month

Step 3 — Annual cost:
$63 × 12 = $756/year

Step 4 — Gas comparison (25 MPG):
(12,000 ÷ 25) × $4.41 = $2,117/year

Step 5 — Annual savings:
$2,117 − $756 − $400 (maintenance savings) = $961/year

That’s nearly $1,000 per year in savings — and even more if you charge off-peak or live in a state with cheaper electricity.

Home Charging vs. Public Charging Costs

Where you charge makes a huge difference. Here’s the breakdown:

Charging Type	Cost per kWh	Cost per Mile	Monthly Cost (1,000 mi)
Home (Level 2)	$0.10–$0.25	$0.03–$0.06	$30–$60
Public Level 2	$0.20–$0.40	$0.06–$0.12	$60–$120
DC Fast Charging	$0.28–$0.45	$0.08–$0.15	$80–$150

Key takeaway: Public fast charging is 2–4× more expensive than charging at home. If you can charge at home, you’ll save hundreds of dollars per year.

EV vs. Gas: How Much Can You Save?

Over a full year, the average EV driver saves $800–$1,500 compared to a gasoline car. In states with high gas prices and low electricity rates, savings can exceed $2,200/year.

Comparison Snapshot (12,000 miles/year):
Gas car: $1,400–$1,700/year (at $3.00–$3.50/gal, 25 MPG)
EV (home charging): $400–$700/year (at $0.10–$0.18/kWh)
Annual savings: $700–$1,300

Extra savings to consider:

• Maintenance: EVs save $300–$500/year on oil changes, brake pads, and other routine services.
• Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing: Charging overnight can cut your rate by 30–50%.
• State incentives: Many states offer rebates on EV purchases and charger installations.

Use our EV vs Gas Cost Calculator to see your exact savings →

Factors That Affect EV Charging Cost

Your actual charging cost depends on more than just electricity rates. Here are the key variables:

• Electricity rates: State averages range from $0.10 to $0.42/kWh. Check your utility’s rate.
• EV efficiency: More efficient EVs (like the Lucid Air or Hyundai Ioniq 6) cost less per mile.
• Charging location: Home charging is cheapest; public fast charging is the most expensive.
• Charging loss: AC charging loses 10–15% of energy as heat. DC fast charging loses 5–10%.
• Time-of-use rates: Charging overnight can save 30–50% on your electricity bill.
• Weather: Cold weather reduces range and efficiency, increasing cost per mile.
• Charging network: Different networks (Tesla Supercharger, Electrify America, EVgo) have different pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average cost to charge an EV at home in the U.S. is about $0.03–$0.06 per mile, or roughly $40–$55 per month for 1,000 miles of driving. Actual cost depends on your state's electricity rate and your vehicle's efficiency.

For a typical driver (1,000 miles/month), monthly charging costs range from $30 in low-rate states like Idaho or Washington to $80+ in high-rate states like Hawaii or California.

Yes — on average, EVs cost about $0.05/mile vs. $0.12/mile for gas, saving the typical driver $800–$1,500 per year. Savings can exceed $2,200/year in states with low electricity rates and high gas prices.

Public Level 2 charging costs about $0.10–$0.18 per mile, while DC fast charging costs $0.28–$0.45 per kWh — roughly 2–4× more expensive than charging at home.

Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Louisiana typically have the lowest electricity rates ($0.10–$0.11/kWh), making them the cheapest states for EV charging. Hawaii and California are the most expensive.

AC charging (Level 1 & 2) has 10–15% energy loss, meaning you pay for 10–15% more electricity than goes into your battery. DC fast charging has 5–10% loss. Our calculator includes this by default.

TOU pricing can save 30–50% on charging costs by shifting your charging to off-peak hours. Many utilities offer rates as low as $0.08–$0.12/kWh overnight vs. $0.20–$0.30/kWh during peak hours.

A Tesla Model 3 costs about $0.04–$0.06 per mile at home, or $16–$22 for a full charge. Supercharger costs vary by state but typically run $0.28–$0.45/kWh, or $30–$50 for a full charge.

Your electricity rate (state/utility) and your EV's efficiency (miles/kWh) are the two biggest factors. Charging location (home vs. public) and TOU pricing also significantly impact your total cost.

EVs save $300–$500/year on maintenance because they have no oil changes, timing belts, transmission fluid, or exhaust systems. Brake pads also last longer due to regenerative braking.

Disclaimer: This tool and article provide estimates for informational purposes only. Actual costs vary based on local utility rates, driving habits, vehicle condition, weather, and other factors. Always verify with official sources and consult a qualified professional for financial decisions. Data sources: EIA, AAA, EPA, DOE. Last updated: August 2026.

📚 Trusted Data Sources & References

Our EV Charging Cost & Savings Estimator relies on authoritative, up-to-date data from these official sources:

• 1. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) — State electricity rates & consumption data
• 2. AAA Gas Prices — State-by-state gasoline price averages
• 3. EPA / DOE — Fuel Economy Data — Official EV efficiency & battery specs
• 4. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) — EV research, incentives & charging infrastructure
• 5. Argonne National Laboratory — Vehicle Cost Calculator — Advanced EV cost modeling & analysis