How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home? (2026)
The electricity cost of EV charging is 60-75% cheaper per mile than gasoline. Here are the exact numbers.
Last updated: March 15, 2026
One of the biggest questions people have before buying an electric vehicle is "what will it do to my electric bill?" The answer is almost always less than you expect, and dramatically less than what you currently spend on gasoline.
Here is the math, broken down by charger type, driving distance, and state.
The Quick Answer
At the national average electricity rate of 16.72 cents per kWh, driving an electric car costs approximately $0.04-$0.05 per mile in electricity. A gasoline car averaging 25 MPG at $3.50 per gallon costs $0.14 per mile in fuel. The EV is roughly 3x cheaper per mile.
For a driver covering 1,000 miles per month (the U.S. average), that means:
| Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| EV (home charging at national avg rate) | ~$50 | ~$600 |
| Gas car (25 MPG at $3.50/gal) | ~$140 | ~$1,680 |
| Monthly savings with EV | ~$90 | ~$1,080 |
That $90/month savings is after adding the EV charging to your electric bill. Your gas spending drops to zero (for that car), and your electric bill goes up by about $50.
Level 1 vs. Level 2: Cost Is the Same, Speed Is Not
The Level 1 charger (standard 120V outlet) and Level 2 charger (240V dedicated circuit) cost the same per kWh of electricity. The difference is speed.
| Power Draw | Range Added/Hour | Full Charge Time (20-80%) | Monthly kWh (1,000 mi) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120V) | 1.4 kW | 3-5 miles | 20-40 hours | ~300 kWh |
| Level 2 (240V, 32A) | 7.7 kW | 20-30 miles | 3-6 hours | ~300 kWh |
| Level 2 (240V, 48A) | 11.5 kW | 30-40 miles | 2-4 hours | ~300 kWh |
Notice that the monthly kWh is the same regardless of which charger you use. You are putting the same energy into the battery; Level 2 just does it faster. The electricity bill impact is identical.
Level 1 is sufficient for daily commutes under 40 miles. Plug in when you get home, unplug in the morning, and you have more than enough range. Level 2 is worth the $500-$2,000 installation cost if you drive 60+ miles daily, have multiple EVs, or want the flexibility of a quick top-up before an unexpected trip.
Cost by State
Your state's electricity rate changes the math significantly. Here are examples for 1,000 miles per month:
| State | Rate | Monthly Charging Cost | vs. Gas ($140/mo) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 10.76 cents | $32 | Save $108/mo | $1,296 |
| Idaho | 10.87 cents | $33 | Save $107/mo | $1,284 |
| Nebraska | 11.98 cents | $36 | Save $104/mo | $1,248 |
| National average | 16.72 cents | $50 | Save $90/mo | $1,080 |
| New York | 22.87 cents | $69 | Save $71/mo | $852 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76 cents | $86 | Save $54/mo | $648 |
| California | 31.41 cents | $94 | Save $46/mo | $552 |
| Hawaii | 43.21 cents | $130 | Save $10/mo | $120 |
Even in Hawaii, the most expensive state for electricity, home EV charging is still slightly cheaper than gasoline. In Washington and other low-rate states, the savings are over $1,000 per year. This is before accounting for lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements) that add another $500-$1,000/year in EV savings.
The Time-of-Use Advantage
Many utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rate plans where overnight electricity costs 5-8 cents per kWh compared to 15-25 cents during the day. Since most EV charging happens overnight, a TOU plan can cut your charging cost by 40-60%.
Using the national average TOU overnight rate of ~8 cents/kWh, 1,000 miles of monthly charging costs about $24 instead of $50. That is an extra $26/month in savings just by choosing the right rate plan and scheduling your charger to start at midnight.
States where TOU plans are most widely available and impactful include California, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas. Check with your utility to see if they offer an EV-specific rate plan.
Home Charging vs. Public Charging vs. Supercharging
| Charging Method | Cost per kWh | Cost per 300 miles | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 1 | Your home rate (~17 cents) | ~$15 | Overnight, every night |
| Home Level 2 | Your home rate (~17 cents) | ~$15 | 3-6 hours at home |
| Public Level 2 (ChargePoint, etc.) | 20-35 cents | ~$21-$32 | 3-6 hours at parking lots |
| DC fast charging (Supercharger, etc.) | 30-60 cents | ~$27-$54 | 20-40 minutes at highway stops |
Home charging is the cheapest option by a wide margin. Public Level 2 is reasonable for topping off while shopping or at work. DC fast charging is the most expensive and is best reserved for road trips. If your workplace offers free Level 2 charging, that is essentially free fuel.
How Much Does EV Charging Add to Your Electric Bill?
For 1,000 miles per month at the national average rate: approximately $50/month added to your electric bill. This increases your electricity consumption by about 300 kWh/month, roughly a 34% increase over the average household's 886 kWh baseline.
Your bill goes up by $50, but your gas station spending drops by $140. Net savings: $90/month. The EV "costs more in electricity" but saves you far more in gasoline.
To see the exact impact with your appliances and state rate, add an EV charger to the electricity bill estimator. Select either the Level 1 or Level 2 option and adjust the hours to match your daily charging needs.
Solar + EV: The Best Combination
If you charge your EV from rooftop solar panels, the electricity is effectively free (after the solar system is paid off). A 7-8 kW solar system in a sunny state generates about 900-1,100 kWh/month, more than enough to cover both your household usage and your EV charging. In this scenario, your transportation fuel cost drops to zero, permanently.
Solar + EV is especially compelling in high-rate states like California and Massachusetts, where the per-kWh value of solar generation is high and the solar payback period is shortest.
Frequently Asked Questions
A full charge from near-empty to full costs $8-$16 for a car with a 60-100 kWh battery at the national average rate. The cost varies by battery size, state rate, and how depleted the battery is. Most daily charging is partial (topping off from 50-60% to 80%), which costs $3-$6. Use the Level 2 charger calculator with your state selected for precise numbers.
Home charging is significantly cheaper. Home electricity costs 10-17 cents/kWh in most states. Public Level 2 chargers cost 20-35 cents/kWh. DC fast chargers cost 30-60 cents/kWh. Home charging a 60 kWh battery costs about $10. The same charge at a DC fast charger costs $18-$36. Charge at home whenever possible and use public chargers only when away from home.
If your daily commute is under 40 miles, Level 1 (120V outlet) adds 30-50 miles of range overnight and is sufficient. Level 2 is recommended if you drive 60+ miles daily, have multiple EVs, or want faster charging flexibility. The electricity cost per kWh is identical for Level 1 and Level 2; the only difference is speed. Level 2 installation costs $500-$2,000 for the dedicated 240V circuit.
At the national average electricity rate, an EV costs about $0.04-$0.05 per mile. A 25 MPG gasoline car at $3.50/gallon costs about $0.14 per mile. The EV is roughly 3x cheaper per mile. In low-rate states like Washington, the advantage is 4-5x. In high-rate states like Hawaii, the advantage narrows but EV still wins. There is no U.S. state where gasoline is cheaper per mile than home EV charging.
All cost estimates on this page use average residential electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and typical appliance wattage values. Your actual costs will vary based on your specific rate, appliance, and usage patterns. See our full disclaimer.