Charging an EV at home costs about 6 cents a mile on average, less than half the cost of gas. Here's the math for home, public charging and every budget.
One of the first questions every EV shopper asks is simple: how much does it actually cost to charge? The short answer: for most drivers who charge at home, it's less than half the cost of gas. With gas averaging about $4.28 a gallon after a record-high September, the gap is bigger than ever. Here's exactly how to figure out your own cost, at home and on the road.
Charging cost comes down to two numbers: what you pay for electricity (per kWh) and how efficient your EV is (miles per kWh).
Cost per mile = electricity price ÷ miles per kWh
Add about 10% for charging losses, since a little energy is lost as heat when you charge. At the US average of 18.8¢ per kWh and 3.5 miles per kWh, that's about 5.4¢ per mile, or roughly 6¢ with losses. You can find your electricity rate on your utility bill and your EV's efficiency on its trip screen or at fueleconomy.gov.
| How you fuel | Price | Cost per mile | Cost for 1,000 miles | Cost per year (13,500 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home charging (US average) | 18.8¢/kWh | ~6¢ | ~$60 | ~$810 |
| Public fast charging (US average) | 42¢/kWh | ~13¢ | ~$130 | ~$1,780 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $4.28/gal | ~14¢ | ~$143 | ~$1,925 |
| Gas truck/SUV, 20 mpg | $4.28/gal | ~21¢ | ~$214 | ~$2,890 |
Assumes 3.5 miles per kWh and 10% charging losses. 13,500 miles is about the average American's yearly driving. Gas price is AAA's national average as of October 20, 2026.
The takeaway: home charging is where EVs save the most money. If you charge mostly at public fast chargers, you still save a little compared with a typical gas car, and a lot compared with a gas truck or SUV.
Electricity prices vary a lot by state. In April 2026, the US average was 18.83¢ per kWh, but California averaged about 35¢ and Hawaii about 47¢. Many states in the South and Midwest are well below the average.
| Electricity price | Cost per mile* | Full 75 kWh charge |
|---|---|---|
| 12¢/kWh (low-cost states) | ~3.8¢ | ~$10 |
| 18.8¢/kWh (US average) | ~5.9¢ | ~$15.50 |
| 35¢/kWh (California) | ~11¢ | ~$29 |
| 47¢/kWh (Hawaii) | ~14.8¢ | ~$39 |
*At 3.5 mi/kWh including 10% charging losses.
Tesla Supercharger prices vary by location and time of day, typically in the same range as other public fast chargers. Many sites have cheaper off-peak rates, and the Tesla app shows the exact price before you plug in. Non-Tesla drivers can use many Superchargers too through the NACS plug, sometimes at a higher rate unless they buy a membership.
How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?
At the US average home rate of about 18.8¢ per kWh, a 75 kWh battery costs about $14–16 to charge from empty to full. Public fast charging costs about twice as much.
Is charging an EV cheaper than gas?
Yes, especially at home. At current prices, home charging costs about 6¢ per mile versus about 14¢ for a 30-mpg gas car.
Will charging an EV raise my electric bill?
Yes, typically by about $50–$80 a month for an average driver at the US average rate, but you stop paying for gas, which costs more.
How much does public charging cost?
The US average is about 42¢ per kWh, according to AAA, with the cheapest states around 31¢ and the most expensive above 50¢.
The bottom line: Charging an EV at home costs about 6 cents a mile on average, less than half the cost of gas at today's prices. The more you charge at home and the cheaper your electricity, the more you save. With gas near record highs, there's never been a better time to run the numbers on your own commute.
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