How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
At the US average residential rate of 18.16¢/kWh, driving 35 miles a day in a car that uses 30 kWh per 100 miles costs about $75.60 a month, or 7.1¢ per mile, with 90% of charging done at home. The same miles in a 28 mpg gas car at $4.17/gal cost $158.46.
$75.60EV per month
$158.46gas car per month
7.1¢EV cost per mile
18.16¢US average per kWh
The figures on this page are computed from the same calculation library that the methodology page documents. If your utility has an EV rate plan, its off-peak price is usually far below the state average: see the published rates for PG&E, SCE and SDG&E.
Worked example at the defaults
Home chargingPublic chargingGasoline
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy the car uses (battery-side) | 319 kWh |
| Energy drawn from the wall | 363 kWh |
| Home charging (90% at 18.16¢/kWh) | $59.28 |
| Public charging (10% at 45¢/kWh) | $16.32 |
| EV total per month | $75.60 |
| Gas car, 28 mpg at $4.17/gal | $158.46 |
| Difference per month | $82.86 |
How the rate changes the answer
| Scenario | EV cost / month | vs gas |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity rate -25% | $60.78 | $97.68 |
| Electricity rate +25% | $90.43 | $68.03 |
| Efficiency 20% better | $60.49 | $97.97 |
| Efficiency 20% worse | $90.73 | $67.73 |
| 50% charged at home | $114.55 | $43.91 |
| 90% charged at home | $75.60 | $82.86 |
| 100% charged at home | $65.87 | $92.59 |
Assumptions
- Electricity rate: 18.16¢/kWh, US residential average for 2026-08 (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (EIA-861M), retrieved 2026-11-02). Your utility's rate, and especially an EV time-of-use rate, can be well above or below this.
- Gas price: $4.17/gal national average as of 2026-11-02 (AAA Fuel Prices, national average (regular)).
- Charging loss: 12% of wall energy is lost before it reaches the battery. Typical Level 2 range is 8–15%.
- Month = 30.4 days. Annual figures are the monthly figure × 12 at these assumptions; there is no seasonal model.
- These are estimates from the stated inputs, not a bill. Taxes, fixed charges and tiered or time-of-use pricing are not modelled on this page.