EV Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate your daily, monthly, and annual EV charging costs. See how home charging compares to public DC fast charging, and what you save versus gasoline.
Charging Type Split (must total 100%)
120V standard outlet, ~4-5 mi/hr
240V charger, ~20-30 mi/hr
Public network, ~100-200 mi/hr
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual solar production, savings, and payback periods depend on site-specific conditions including local weather, roof condition, shading, equipment selected, installer pricing, utility rate structures, and policy changes. Always obtain multiple quotes from qualified solar installers and consult a tax professional for incentive eligibility. Results should not be considered financial advice.
Daily kWh Needed
Daily kWh = Daily Miles ÷ Efficiency (mi/kWh)
Home Charging Cost (L1 & L2)
Home Cost = Daily kWh × Home % × Home Rate ($/kWh)
L1 and L2 both use your home electricity rate — the difference is speed, not cost per kWh.
DC Fast Charging Cost
DC Cost = Daily kWh × DC% × DC Rate ($/kWh)
Total Monthly Cost
Monthly = (Home Cost + DC Cost) × 30
Cost per Full Charge
Per Charge = Battery kWh × Blended Rate
Blended Rate = (L1% + L2%) × Home Rate + DC% × DC Rate
Gas Equivalent
Monthly Gas Cost = (Daily Miles × 30 ÷ MPG) × Gas Price
Understanding EV Charging Costs: A Complete Guide
One of the most significant financial advantages of owning an electric vehicle is the dramatically lower cost of fuel. Electricity costs substantially less per mile than gasoline in virtually every market in the United States. However, not all EV charging is equal — the cost varies considerably depending on whether you charge at home on Level 1 or Level 2, or use public DC fast charging networks. Understanding your charging mix is essential to accurately estimating your monthly EV charging expenses.
Home Charging: Your Most Cost-Effective Option
The vast majority of EV owners — approximately 80 to 90 percent — do most of their charging at home. Home charging at Level 1 (a standard 120V outlet) or Level 2 (a 240V dedicated circuit with a home EVSE) costs only your local residential electricity rate. At the national average of 18 cents per kWh, filling up a 75 kWh battery from empty costs just $13.50. Compare this to filling a gas tank with 12 gallons at $3.50 per gallon ($42), and the savings are substantial.
Public DC Fast Charging: Convenient but Pricier
DC fast charging offers the convenience of rapid charging on the road, adding 100 to 200 miles in 20 to 40 minutes. However, public DCFC networks like Tesla Supercharger, Electrify America, and ChargePoint charge between $0.35 and $0.55 per kWh — two to three times the typical home rate. Frequent reliance on public fast charging can significantly increase your monthly charging costs. Most financial planners recommend using DCFC primarily for road trips and occasional convenience situations, relying on home charging for daily needs.
Optimizing Your Charging Costs
The single most impactful thing you can do to reduce EV charging costs is to install a Level 2 home charger and charge primarily at home overnight. Many utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rate plans that discount electricity rates during off-peak hours — typically midnight to 6 AM. In states like California, PG&E's EV rate plan offers rates as low as 12 to 14 cents per kWh overnight. Programming your EV to charge during off-peak hours can reduce charging costs by 20 to 40 percent in TOU-plan states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fully charge an EV at home?
The cost to fully charge an EV at home depends on your battery size and local electricity rate. At the national average of 18 cents per kWh, charging a 75 kWh battery from empty to full costs about $13.50. A smaller 40 kWh pack costs about $7.20, while a large 100 kWh battery costs around $18. Most drivers never fully deplete the battery, so their typical charge session costs $5 to $12.
What's the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging costs?
Level 1 (120V) uses a standard household outlet and is the cheapest to set up but slowest — adding 4 to 5 miles of range per hour. Level 2 (240V) adds 20 to 30 miles per hour and is the most cost-effective for regular use, costing the same per kWh as Level 1 (your home electricity rate). DC fast charging adds 100 to 200 miles in 20 to 40 minutes but typically costs $0.35 to $0.45 per kWh at public stations — roughly two to three times the home charging cost.
How much does charging an EV cost per mile?
EV charging cost per mile depends on your vehicle's efficiency and local electricity rate. At 18 cents per kWh and 3.5 miles per kWh efficiency, home charging costs about 5.1 cents per mile. At DC fast charging rates of 40 cents per kWh, the cost rises to about 11.4 cents per mile. By comparison, a 30 MPG gas car at $3.50 per gallon costs about 11.7 cents per mile — showing that home EV charging is much cheaper, while DC fast charging is roughly equivalent to gas.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or at a public station?
Home charging is almost always significantly cheaper than public charging. Most EV owners charge at home 80 to 90 percent of the time, paying only their home electricity rate. Public Level 2 charging typically costs $0.25 to $0.45 per kWh. DC fast charging typically costs $0.35 to $0.55 per kWh — two to four times the home rate. Installing a Level 2 home charger is recommended for most EV owners as it speeds up charging while maintaining the cost advantage of home electricity rates.
How do I calculate my monthly EV charging cost?
Monthly EV charging cost = (Daily Miles ÷ Efficiency) × 30 days × Blended Charging Rate. For example, 40 miles per day ÷ 3.5 mi/kWh = 11.4 kWh per day. If 80% is home charging at $0.18/kWh and 20% is DC fast charging at $0.40/kWh: Blended rate = 0.8 × $0.18 + 0.2 × $0.40 = $0.224/kWh. Monthly cost = 11.4 kWh × 30 × $0.224 = $76.78.
What states have the cheapest electricity for EV charging?
States with the lowest residential electricity rates offer the cheapest EV home charging. North Dakota (11.9¢/kWh), Wyoming (12.3¢/kWh), Idaho (12.0¢/kWh), Washington (12.6¢/kWh), and Louisiana (12.4¢/kWh) have the lowest rates. In contrast, Hawaii (39.9¢/kWh), California (33.8¢/kWh), Connecticut (32.7¢/kWh), and Massachusetts (33.5¢/kWh) have the highest rates. Even at the highest rates, home EV charging is typically cheaper per mile than gasoline.
How does EV charging cost compare to gasoline?
On a per-mile basis, home EV charging is typically 2 to 3 times cheaper than gasoline. At national averages (18¢/kWh, 3.5 mi/kWh, $3.50/gallon, 30 MPG), EV home charging costs about 5.1 cents per mile vs 11.7 cents per mile for gasoline. Even in high-electricity-rate states like California, EV charging is cost-competitive with gasoline because California also has above-average gas prices. The comparison is most favorable in low-electricity-rate states with moderate gas prices.
Data Sources
Data current as of February 2026. Rates and incentives are subject to change.