- The average EV costs $0.04 per mile to charge at home using the national average residential electricity rate of 16.6 cents per kWh.
- State electricity rates create a 3x cost range: from about $0.02/mile in Louisiana to $0.08/mile in Hawaii.
- Even in the most expensive electricity states, EV fueling costs 40-60% less per mile than gasoline.
- Public DC fast charging typically costs 2-3 times more than home charging, narrowing (but rarely eliminating) the EV cost advantage.
01 How EV Charging Cost Works
The cost to charge an electric vehicle depends on two factors: your local electricity rate (cents per kilowatt-hour) and your vehicle's efficiency (miles per kWh). The EPA rates each EV's energy consumption, and the average across all EVs on the market is approximately 3.3 miles per kWh (equivalent to about 30 kWh per 100 miles).
EPA Fuel Economy Guide, Model Year 2024: median EV efficiency approximately 3.3 mi/kWh across all BEV models listed on FuelEconomy.govFor example, at the national average residential rate of 16.6 cents per kWh, an EV averaging 3.3 mi/kWh costs about $0.166 / 3.3 = $0.050 per mile to fuel. Compare this to a 30 MPG gas car at $3.00 per gallon: $3.00 / 30 = $0.100 per mile. The EV costs roughly half as much per mile.
EIA Electric Power Monthly (2024): U.S. average residential electricity price 16.6 cents/kWh; EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update02 All 50 States Ranked by EV Charging Cost
Residential electricity rates vary dramatically by state, from under 10 cents per kWh in some states to over 30 cents in Hawaii. This directly translates to EV charging costs. The table below ranks all 50 states plus DC by EV cost per mile, calculated using each state's average residential electricity rate and an average EV efficiency of 3.3 mi/kWh.
EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (2024 annual average residential prices by state)| Rank | State | Electricity (¢/kWh) | EV Cost/Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | 9.37 | $0.028 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 9.56 | $0.029 |
| 3 | Utah | 9.95 | $0.030 |
| 4 | Arkansas | 10.00 | $0.030 |
| 5 | Wyoming | 10.05 | $0.030 |
| 6 | Idaho | 10.13 | $0.031 |
| 7 | North Dakota | 10.39 | $0.031 |
| 8 | Washington | 10.46 | $0.032 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 10.68 | $0.032 |
| 10 | Montana | 10.88 | $0.033 |
| ... | |||
| 20 | Texas | 13.04 | $0.040 |
| 25 | Florida | 14.42 | $0.044 |
| 30 | Ohio | 14.89 | $0.045 |
| 35 | Michigan | 18.35 | $0.056 |
| ... | |||
| 46 | New York | 22.57 | $0.068 |
| 47 | Alaska | 23.62 | $0.072 |
| 48 | Rhode Island | 24.06 | $0.073 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 25.64 | $0.078 |
| 50 | Connecticut | 26.35 | $0.080 |
| 51 | Hawaii | 32.76 | $0.099 |
The cheapest states for EV charging share a common thread: access to low-cost energy sources. Louisiana benefits from abundant natural gas, the Pacific Northwest states (Washington, Idaho) from hydroelectric power, and the Mountain West states from a mix of coal and natural gas. Hawaii's extreme electricity costs result from near-total dependence on imported petroleum for power generation.
EIA State Energy Profiles: generation mix by state; EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 1.103 EV vs Gasoline: Cost per Mile
To put EV charging costs in context, the table below compares the cost per mile of an average EV to an average gas car (27.5 MPG, the EPA fleet average) across selected states. Even in the most expensive electricity states, the EV costs substantially less per mile to fuel.
EPA Automotive Trends Report (2023): new vehicle fleet average 27.5 MPG (real-world); EIA gasoline prices by PADD region| State | EV Cost/Mile | Gas Cost/Mile | EV Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $0.028 | $0.098 | 71% |
| Washington | $0.032 | $0.131 | 76% |
| Texas | $0.040 | $0.098 | 59% |
| U.S. Average | $0.050 | $0.109 | 54% |
| Florida | $0.044 | $0.109 | 60% |
| California | $0.072 | $0.156 | 54% |
| New York | $0.068 | $0.113 | 40% |
| Massachusetts | $0.078 | $0.116 | 33% |
| Hawaii | $0.099 | $0.160 | 38% |
The EV advantage is greatest in states where electricity is cheap and gasoline is expensive, such as Washington state (76% savings). Even in states like Massachusetts, where electricity is costly, the EV still saves roughly a third on fueling costs because gasoline engines convert only about 20-40% of fuel energy to motion, while electric motors convert over 85%.
DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: "EVs convert over 85% of electrical energy to power at the wheels vs. 12-30% for gas engines"Estimate your vehicle's driving cost using official EPA fuel economy data.
Use the Calculator04 Home vs Public Charging Costs
Home charging at residential electricity rates is the cheapest way to fuel an EV. Public charging, however, comes at a premium. Level 2 public stations typically charge $0.20-$0.35 per kWh, while DC fast chargers (DCFC) range from $0.30-$0.60 per kWh depending on the network and location.
DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: public charging cost survey data; AFDC Station Locator pricing data| Charging Type | Typical Rate ($/kWh) | Cost/Mile | Cost per 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home (Level 1/2) | $0.10-$0.27 | $0.03-$0.08 | $3.00-$8.18 |
| Public Level 2 | $0.20-$0.35 | $0.06-$0.11 | $6.06-$10.61 |
| DC Fast Charging | $0.30-$0.60 | $0.09-$0.18 | $9.09-$18.18 |
| Gasoline (27.5 MPG) | $2.70-$4.30/gal | $0.10-$0.16 | $9.82-$15.64 |
At DC fast charging rates, the EV cost advantage over gasoline shrinks considerably and can even disappear in high-electricity-cost states. For drivers who rely primarily on public fast charging, the fuel cost savings of an EV are substantially reduced. This is one reason the DOE and automakers emphasize the importance of home charging access for maximizing EV economics.
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: "Home charging remains the most cost-effective and convenient way to charge"05 Annual Fuel Savings by State
For a driver covering 12,000 miles per year, the annual fueling cost difference between an EV (charged at home) and a 27.5 MPG gas car varies significantly by state. The table below shows representative annual costs and savings.
Calculated: 12,000 miles × cost per mile. EV uses state residential rate / 3.3 mi/kWh; gas uses state gasoline price / 27.5 MPG| State | EV Annual Cost | Gas Annual Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $341 | $1,178 | $837 |
| Washington | $380 | $1,571 | $1,191 |
| Texas | $474 | $1,178 | $704 |
| U.S. Average | $604 | $1,309 | $705 |
| California | $862 | $1,876 | $1,014 |
| New York | $821 | $1,353 | $532 |
| Hawaii | $1,191 | $1,920 | $729 |
Annual savings range from roughly $500 to $1,200 depending on the state, with the largest savings in states like Washington and California where gasoline is expensive but electricity remains moderate. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, these savings accumulate to $2,500-$6,000 in fuel cost alone.
Calculated: annual savings × 5 years. See also EIA Annual Energy Outlook for long-term price projectionsEstimate your vehicle's driving cost using official EPA fuel economy data.
Use the Calculator06 Data Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector. eia.gov
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, weekly retail prices by state. eia.gov
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Fuel Economy Guide, Model Year 2024. EV efficiency ratings (kWh/100mi and MPGe). fueleconomy.gov
- U.S. Department of Energy: Alternative Fuels Data Center, Charging Infrastructure and Costs. afdc.energy.gov
- EPA: Automotive Trends Report (2023): Light-duty vehicle fleet average fuel economy. epa.gov