How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home? (2026 Rates)
Using EIA February 2026 electricity rate data, we break down exactly what it costs to charge the most popular EVs at home — by state, by model, and by monthly mileage. Plus how home charging compares to public DC fast charging.
Last updated: February 2026
One of the most compelling financial arguments for electric vehicles is fuel cost savings — but "how much does it cost to charge?" turns out to have a more complex answer than most people realize. It depends on where you live, which EV you drive, when you charge, and how many miles you drive per month.
This guide uses EIA February 2026 residential electricity rate data to give you the most current and accurate numbers available for home EV charging costs across the country.
The Core Formula
EV charging cost comes down to two variables: how much electricity your car uses (efficiency, measured in kWh per 100 miles) and what you pay for electricity (your electricity rate, measured in cents per kWh).
Cost per 100 miles = (kWh/100 miles × electricity rate in ¢/kWh) ÷ 100
That's it. Everything else flows from this. Let's build it out with real data.
EV Efficiency by Model: 2026 Real-World Data
Manufacturer EPA ratings are a reasonable starting point, but real-world consumption is typically 5–15% higher, accounting for climate control, charging losses, and highway speeds. The following figures reflect real-world average consumption from aggregated owner data (PlugShare, Recurrent, and DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center):
| Vehicle | EPA kWh/100mi | Real-World kWh/100mi | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD | 24 | 26 | 82 kWh |
| Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD | 26 | 28 | 82 kWh |
| Chevy Bolt EV 2024 | 27 | 29 | 65 kWh |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE (RWD) | 22 | 25 | 77 kWh |
| Honda Prologue AWD | 29 | 31 | 85 kWh |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E (RWD) | 28 | 31 | 91 kWh |
| Kia EV6 AWD Long Range | 29 | 32 | 77 kWh |
| BMW iX3 | 30 | 33 | 80 kWh |
| Ford F-150 Lightning Pro | 43 | 47 | 131 kWh |
| Rivian R1T Large Pack | 41 | 45 | 135 kWh |
| Rivian R2 (2026) | 26 | 28 | 82 kWh |
Sources: EPA Fuel Economy Guide 2026; Recurrent Auto Real-World EV Data Report 2025; DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center
The range from most efficient (Ioniq 6 at 25 kWh/100mi real-world) to least efficient (F-150 Lightning at 47 kWh/100mi) means the Lightning costs nearly twice as much per mile to charge as the Ioniq 6, all else equal. This matters when comparing across vehicle categories.
National Average Charging Cost by Vehicle (February 2026)
Using the EIA February 2026 national average residential electricity rate of 14.5¢/kWh:
| Vehicle | Real-World kWh/100mi | Cost per 100 Miles | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE | 25 | $3.63 | $0.036 |
| Tesla Model 3 LR | 26 | $3.77 | $0.038 |
| Tesla Model Y LR | 28 | $4.06 | $0.041 |
| Chevy Bolt EV | 29 | $4.21 | $0.042 |
| Rivian R2 | 28 | $4.06 | $0.041 |
| Honda Prologue AWD | 31 | $4.50 | $0.045 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 31 | $4.50 | $0.045 |
| Kia EV6 AWD LR | 32 | $4.64 | $0.046 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 47 | $6.82 | $0.068 |
| Rivian R1T | 45 | $6.53 | $0.065 |
Comparison: Gasoline equivalent at $3.20/gallon national average (GasBuddy February 2026)
| Gas Vehicle MPG | Cost per 100 Miles | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| 15 MPG (large truck/SUV) | $21.33 | $0.213 |
| 25 MPG (average sedan/crossover) | $12.80 | $0.128 |
| 35 MPG (efficient sedan) | $9.14 | $0.091 |
| 50 MPG (hybrid) | $6.40 | $0.064 |
At the national average electricity rate, every EV on the list beats a 25 MPG gas vehicle by 65–72% on fuel cost per mile. Even the gas-hungry F-150 Lightning ($0.068/mile) beats a 50 MPG hybrid ($0.064/mile) — barely — and handily beats the V8 gas trucks it replaces ($0.16–0.22/mile).
Monthly Charging Cost by State
Your actual monthly EV charging bill depends primarily on your state's electricity rate. EIA February 2026 data shows residential rates ranging from 9.7¢/kWh (Louisiana) to 42.1¢/kWh (Hawaii):
The following table shows monthly home charging cost for the Tesla Model 3 Long Range (26 kWh/100mi) at 1,000 miles/month driving (260 kWh/month needed):
| State | Residential Rate (Feb 2026) | Monthly Charging Cost (Model 3, 1k mi) | vs. 30 MPG Gas at $3.20/gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 42.1¢/kWh | $109.46 | Gas: $106.67 (EV slightly more) |
| California | 28.3¢/kWh | $73.58 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $33/mo) |
| Connecticut | 24.1¢/kWh | $62.66 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $44/mo) |
| Massachusetts | 23.8¢/kWh | $61.88 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $45/mo) |
| New York | 21.5¢/kWh | $55.90 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $51/mo) |
| New Jersey | 17.2¢/kWh | $44.72 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $62/mo) |
| Florida | 13.2¢/kWh | $34.32 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $72/mo) |
| National Average | 14.5¢/kWh | $37.70 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $69/mo) |
| Texas | 12.1¢/kWh | $31.46 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $75/mo) |
| Arizona | 13.0¢/kWh | $33.80 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $73/mo) |
| Colorado | 13.2¢/kWh | $34.32 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $72/mo) |
| Washington | 10.5¢/kWh | $27.30 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $79/mo) |
| Louisiana | 9.7¢/kWh | $25.22 | Gas: $106.67 (EV saves $81/mo) |
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly, February 2026; GasBuddy National Average, February 2026
🔴 The Hawaii Exception
Hawaii is the only state in the continental U.S. + Hawaii where EV home charging costs approach gas vehicle costs at the national average MPG — because Hawaii's electricity rates are so extreme (42¢/kWh). However, Hawaii also has much higher gas prices (averaging $4.50–5.00/gallon in February 2026 per AAA), which changes the comparison significantly. At $4.75/gallon in Hawaii, a 30 MPG car costs $158.33/month in fuel versus $109.46 for the Model 3. EVs still win in Hawaii.
The TOU Advantage: What Happens When You Switch Rate Plans
The numbers above use standard flat residential rates. For EV owners on time-of-use (TOU) rate plans who charge exclusively during off-peak hours, the cost picture improves dramatically:
| State | Standard Rate | Off-Peak TOU Rate | Monthly Cost (Model 3, 1k mi) | Annual Savings vs. Flat Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (PG&E) | 28.3¢/kWh | 9.0¢/kWh | $23.40 | $601 |
| California (SCE) | 28.3¢/kWh | 13.0¢/kWh | $33.80 | $478 |
| Georgia Power | 13.2¢/kWh | 6.0¢/kWh | $15.60 | $218 |
| Colorado (Xcel) | 13.2¢/kWh | 7.5¢/kWh | $19.50 | $178 |
| Texas (avg TOU plan) | 12.1¢/kWh | 8.0¢/kWh | $20.80 | $129 |
In California on the PG&E EV-A TOU plan, switching to off-peak charging alone saves $601 per year on EV charging — on top of the existing savings versus gasoline. This is one reason California's EV adoption rate consistently leads the nation.
Monthly Cost at Different Mileage Levels
Most people don't drive exactly 1,000 miles per month. Here's what monthly charging costs look like across common mileage scenarios for the most popular EVs, at the national average rate of 14.5¢/kWh:
| Monthly Miles | Tesla Model 3 LR | Chevy Bolt EV | Honda Prologue | F-150 Lightning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 miles | $18.85 | $21.02 | $22.45 | $34.08 |
| 750 miles | $28.28 | $31.53 | $33.68 | $51.13 |
| 1,000 miles | $37.70 | $42.05 | $44.93 | $68.17 |
| 1,250 miles | $47.13 | $52.56 | $56.16 | $85.21 |
| 1,500 miles | $56.55 | $63.07 | $67.40 | $102.25 |
| 2,000 miles | $75.40 | $84.10 | $89.90 | $136.34 |
For comparison: A gas vehicle at 30 MPG and $3.20/gallon costs $106.67 per 1,000 miles in fuel — more than double the EV cost for most models at the national average electricity rate.
Home Charging vs. Public DC Fast Charging: The Cost Difference
Public DC fast charging costs significantly more than home charging in most markets. Here's why this matters for your total annual "fuel" budget:
| Charging Network | Average Price per kWh | Cost per 100mi (Model 3) | vs. Home at 14.5¢ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | $0.28–$0.42/kWh | $7.28–$10.92 | 93–190% more |
| Electrify America | $0.36–$0.48/kWh | $9.36–$12.48 | 148–231% more |
| ChargePoint DC Fast | $0.29–$0.45/kWh | $7.54–$11.70 | 100–210% more |
| Blink Network | $0.39–$0.59/kWh | $10.14–$15.34 | 169–307% more |
| EVgo | $0.32–$0.49/kWh | $8.32–$12.74 | 121–238% more |
| Home (national avg) | $0.145/kWh | $3.77 | Baseline |
Sources: Network published pricing, February 2026. Prices vary by location and membership status.
The practical implication: your home charging cost is your baseline, and every mile you fast charge at a public station costs 2–4× more. A driver who charges 80% at home and 20% on public DC fast charging has an effective blended rate roughly 40–70% higher than pure home charging.
This is why home charging habits matter so much to the EV financial case. Drivers without home charging access who rely primarily on public DC fast charging often find EV fuel savings are much smaller than advertised — sometimes eliminating the fuel cost advantage entirely versus a fuel-efficient hybrid.
💡 Estimating Your Own Monthly Charging Cost
Take your average monthly miles, multiply by your vehicle's real-world kWh/100mi figure (from the table above), divide by 100 to get total monthly kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate. For a Chevy Bolt driver in Texas doing 900 miles/month: 900 × 29 ÷ 100 = 261 kWh × $0.121 = $31.58/month. Compare that to gas costs for your previous vehicle and you have your real monthly savings.
Annual Fuel Savings: The Full Picture
For a driver replacing a 28 MPG gas car with a Tesla Model 3, driving 12,000 miles/year:
Gas vehicle fuel cost: 12,000 ÷ 28 × $3.20 = $1,371/year
Model 3 home charging cost (national avg, 14.5¢/kWh): 12,000 × 26 ÷ 100 × $0.145 = $452/year
Annual fuel savings: $919/year ($76/month)
Model 3 home charging cost (California flat rate, 28.3¢/kWh): 12,000 × 26 ÷ 100 × $0.283 = $883/year (vs. California gas prices at $4.40/gallon: $1,886/year gas cost, so savings still $1,003/year)
Model 3 home charging cost (California off-peak TOU, 9¢/kWh): 12,000 × 26 ÷ 100 × $0.09 = $281/year — saving $1,605/year versus gas in California
Over 8 years, TOU home charging in California saves $12,840 in fuel costs alone versus the gas equivalent. Add maintenance savings ($3,000–5,000 over 8 years), and the ownership economics of an EV become very clear.
Free Calculator
Calculate Your EV Charging Costs
Enter your vehicle, monthly mileage, and zip code to see your exact monthly and annual EV charging costs using current local electricity rates.
Use Calculator →Key Takeaways
- At the national average electricity rate of 14.5¢/kWh (EIA February 2026), home EV charging costs $3.63–$6.82 per 100 miles depending on vehicle efficiency
- The average gas vehicle at 25 MPG and $3.20/gallon costs $12.80 per 100 miles — 2–3× more than home EV charging
- State electricity rates create significant variation: Washington ($2.73/100mi) versus Hawaii ($10.95/100mi) for the Model 3
- TOU off-peak rates reduce home charging costs by 35–68% below flat rates in most states
- Public DC fast charging costs 2–4× more than home charging — minimizing fast charge reliance maximizes the EV financial benefit
Data sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly February 2026; EPA Fuel Economy Guide 2026; Recurrent Auto Real-World EV Data 2025; DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center; GasBuddy National Average Gasoline Price February 2026; AAA Gas Prices by State February 2026
About the Author
Jordan Walsh
Energy Rate & EV Policy Specialist
Jordan has analyzed residential electricity rate structures for over eight years, with a focus on how time-of-use pricing intersects with electric vehicle adoption. She previously worked as a rate design consultant for two investor-owned utilities and holds a Master's in Energy Economics from Colorado State University.
Related Calculators
Free Calculator
EV Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate exactly what it costs to charge your specific EV at home based on your local electricity rate and driving mileage.
Open Calculator →Free Calculator
EV vs Gas Cost Calculator
Compare your total annual fuel costs between driving an EV charged at home versus a comparable gas vehicle.
Open Calculator →