Is home charging cheaper than public charging?

Home charging is typically 40-60% cheaper than public DC fast charging. Home rates average $0.168/kWh nationally, while DC fast chargers charge $0.40-0.60/kWh. Public Level 2 chargers fall in between at $0.30-0.40/kWh.

How does time-of-use pricing affect EV charging costs?

Many utilities offer off-peak rates (usually 9 PM - 6 AM) that are 30-50% cheaper than peak rates. Setting your EV to charge during these windows can save $200-400 annually. Check your utility's TOU schedule for exact savings.

What's the cheapest EV to charge per mile?

The most efficient EVs cost about $0.03-0.04 per mile to charge at home. Models like the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Lucid Air achieve over 4 miles per kWh, making them the cheapest to operate.

Do EVs cost less to maintain than gas cars?

Yes, EV maintenance costs average $600/year versus $1,200 for gas vehicles according to DOE data. No oil changes, fewer brake replacements (regenerative braking), and simpler drivetrains reduce long-term ownership costs significantly.

Calculator

EV Charging Cost Calculator

Know exactly what every mile of electric driving costs you

Switching to an electric vehicle saves money on fuel—but how much exactly? This calculator breaks down your real EV charging costs based on your vehicle's efficiency, your local electricity rate, and your driving habits. Compare home charging against public DC fast charging, see annual savings versus a gas vehicle, and understand how time-of-use rates affect your bill. The numbers are based on EPA-rated efficiency figures and EIA 2024 average electricity prices by state.

Enter Your Details

Fill in the form and click Calculate to see results.

Overview

Use this result

Use the calculator inputs first, then compare the result against local rates, incentives, roof conditions, and utility export rules.

Method, assumptions, and sourcesOpen this section when you want to audit the calculation behind the estimate.Show

Calculation Method

Charging cost is calculated as: Cost per Charge = Battery Capacity (kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh). Annual fuel cost = Daily miles ÷ Vehicle Efficiency (miles/kWh) × Electricity Rate × 365. We use EPA-rated efficiency values (Wh/mile) for over 50 popular EV models, adjusted for real-world driving conditions using a 0.85 efficiency factor based on DOE studies accounting for HVAC use, driving speed, and terrain. Public charging costs use national averages from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC): Level 2 public averages $0.30-0.40/kWh, DC fast charging $0.40-0.60/kWh. Home rates pull from EIA 2024 state-level data. Time-of-use calculations apply off-peak discounts of 30-50% where available.

Key Assumptions

Annual miles, home electricity rates, and charging mix should be edited to match the driver instead of treated as fixed defaults.
Vehicle efficiency varies with speed, weather, HVAC use, tire condition, and payload.
Level 1 and Level 2 home charging should include wall-to-battery losses, typically 5-15%.
Public DC fast charging is modeled as a higher-cost scenario, not the default for every mile driven.

Data Sources

Residential electricity rates

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

State-level residential electricity prices provide the baseline for home charging estimates.

Vehicle efficiency

EPA fuel economy ratings

EPA-rated EV efficiency anchors the miles-per-kWh and Wh-per-mile assumptions before real-world adjustment.

Public charging costs

Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

Public Level 2 and DC fast charging ranges are used for comparison against home charging.

How to Use This Calculator

Select your EV model from the dropdown (or enter custom efficiency in Wh/mile if your vehicle isn't listed). Enter your local electricity rate—you can find this on your utility bill as cost per kWh. Input your average daily driving miles. The calculator shows your cost per full charge, cost per mile, monthly charging cost, and annual fuel savings compared to an equivalent gasoline vehicle at current gas prices. Toggle between home charging, public Level 2, and DC fast charging to compare scenarios.

Formula & Methodology

Charging cost is calculated as: Cost per Charge = Battery Capacity (kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh). Annual fuel cost = Daily miles ÷ Vehicle Efficiency (miles/kWh) × Electricity Rate × 365. We use EPA-rated efficiency values (Wh/mile) for over 50 popular EV models, adjusted for real-world driving conditions using a 0.85 efficiency factor based on DOE studies accounting for HVAC use, driving speed, and terrain. Public charging costs use national averages from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC): Level 2 public averages $0.30-0.40/kWh, DC fast charging $0.40-0.60/kWh. Home rates pull from EIA 2024 state-level data. Time-of-use calculations apply off-peak discounts of 30-50% where available.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the US average of $0.168/kWh, charging a typical EV with a 75 kWh battery from empty to full costs about $12.60. Most drivers charge partially each night, spending $40-60 per month on electricity for an average of 12,000 annual miles.

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