How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?
A full EV charge costs anywhere from a couple of dollars to upwards of $40, depending on battery size, electricity rates, and other factors.
If you are thinking about buying an electric car, you should understand the nuances of charging costs. We’re here to help.
Factors That Impact Charging Costs
Charging an EV doesn't come with a one-size-fits-all price tag. Here are the factors that determine charging costs:
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Home vs. public charging
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Battery size and efficiency
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Charging speed
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Local electricity rates and pricing structure
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Availability of EV charging incentives and discounts
Home Charging Costs
Charging your EV at home is the most convenient and cost-effective way to keep your battery juiced up. But the final price tag for those nightly top-ups depends on the cost of electricity in your state and the size of your battery.
Residential electricity rates can fluctuate wildly from state to state. In North Dakota, you would pay only $1.65 to charge a small EV, while in Hawaii, the same charge would cost $7.52.
The following table shows average electricity costs by state and the average cost to charge a Tesla Model S from empty to full (the Model S has a 100kWh battery capacity). Electricity costs fluctuate, so current pricing may be different from that shown below.
Residential electricity rates can fluctuate wildly from state to state. In North Dakota, you would pay only $1.65 to charge a small EV, while in Hawaii, the same charge would cost $7.52.
The following table shows average electricity costs by state and the average cost to charge a Tesla Model S from empty to full (the Model S has a 100kWh battery capacity). Electricity costs fluctuate, so current pricing may be different from that shown below.
State | Average Electricity Cost (cents/KWh) | Average Cost in Dollars to Charge a Tesla Model S (100 KWh) |
Alabama | 12.41 | 12.41 |
Alaska | 22.54 | 22.54 |
Arizona | 13.16 | 13.16 |
Arkansas | 9.99 | 9.99 |
California | 19.9 | 19.9 |
Colorado | 12.28 | 12.28 |
Connecticut | 21.62 | 21.62 |
Delaware | 12.05 | 12.05 |
District of Columbia | 13.21 | 13.21 |
Florida | 11.37 | 11.37 |
Georgia | 12.16 | 12.16 |
Hawaii | 43.93 | 43.93 |
Idaho | 11.26 | 11.26 |
Illinois | 14.07 | 14.07 |
Indiana | 13.79 | 13.79 |
Iowa | 13.38 | 13.38 |
Kansas | 14.89 | 14.89 |
Kentucky | 12.16 | 12.16 |
Louisiana | 11.25 | 11.25 |
Maine | 24.95 | 24.95 |
Maryland | 14.51 | 14.51 |
Massachusetts | 29.25 | 29.25 |
Michigan | 18.57 | 18.57 |
Minnesota | 14.89 | 14.89 |
Mississippi | 12.41 | 12.41 |
Missouri | 11.43 | 11.43 |
Montana | 12.28 | 12.28 |
Nebraska | 10.72 | 10.72 |
Nevada | 12.65 | 12.65 |
New Hampshire | 23.76 | 23.76 |
New Jersey | 15.64 | 15.64 |
New Mexico | 13.37 | 13.37 |
New York | 24.23 | 24.23 |
North Carolina | 12.75 | 12.75 |
North Dakota | 10.5 | 10.5 |
Ohio | 15.77 | 15.77 |
Oklahoma | 11.3 | 11.3 |
Oregon | 12.65 | 12.65 |
Pennsylvania | 16.55 | 16.55 |
Rhode Island | 30.97 | 30.97 |
South Carolina | 14.21 | 14.21 |
South Dakota | 11.79 | 11.79 |
Tennessee | 11.98 | 11.98 |
Texas | 14.31 | 14.31 |
Utah | 10.99 | 10.99 |
Vermont | 21.22 | 21.22 |
Virginia | 13.97 | 13.97 |
Washington | 11.4 | 11.4 |
West Virginia | 13.98 | 13.98 |
Wisconsin | 16.93 | 16.93 |
Wyoming | 11.47 | 11.47 |
Home charging stations are super convenient and can save you money in the long run, but they aren’t cheap to buy or install. We’ll talk about these upfront costs in more detail later on.
Public Charging Costs
When charging an EV on a public charging network, you can expect to pay $6 to $16 per hour for the fastest DC chargers, or $1 to $3 per hour for AC chargers.
Charging networks are the gas stations of the EV world. Public chargers have all kinds of pricing models that'll either thrill or shock you when you get the final bill.
Public charging stations use one of three main options:
1. Pay-per-use rates bill you by the minute or kilowatt-hour of charge received.
2. Subscription or membership plans from networks such as EVgo and Electrify America grant discounted per-kWh pricing in exchange for a monthly fee.
3. Free charging incentives are provided by shopping centers, grocery stores, hotels, and others looking to attract EV drivers as potential customers.
Charging networks are the gas stations of the EV world. Public chargers have all kinds of pricing models that'll either thrill or shock you when you get the final bill.
Public charging stations use one of three main options:
1. Pay-per-use rates bill you by the minute or kilowatt-hour of charge received.
2. Subscription or membership plans from networks such as EVgo and Electrify America grant discounted per-kWh pricing in exchange for a monthly fee.
3. Free charging incentives are provided by shopping centers, grocery stores, hotels, and others looking to attract EV drivers as potential customers.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Charging Station?
Home charging stations come with a pretty hefty upfront cost. Here's what you can expect to pay for Level 1 and Level 2 setups.
Level 1 Charging Stations
The most basic option is a Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120V household outlet—the same power supply as your appliances. These simple Level 1 units are the most affordable at $200 to $500.
The big downside? They're slow, only adding around 3–5 miles of range per hour plugged in. Fine for overnight trickle charges but useless when you need a fast top-up.
The big downside? They're slow, only adding around 3–5 miles of range per hour plugged in. Fine for overnight trickle charges but useless when you need a fast top-up.
Level 2 Charging Stations
A Level 2 home charging station will cost between $500 and $2,000 for the hardware and professional installation.
That's a hefty upfront investment, but most local municipalities offer $500 to $1000 rebates to help offset home charging station expenses. Many EVs also qualify for federal tax credits covering 30% of installation costs.
That's a hefty upfront investment, but most local municipalities offer $500 to $1000 rebates to help offset home charging station expenses. Many EVs also qualify for federal tax credits covering 30% of installation costs.
Charging an EV vs. Paying for Fuel
Electricity prices equate to only one or two dollars per gallon compared to gasoline. EV owners can save an average of $700 per year by not owning an internal combustion vehicle.
For example, if you own a Toyota Tacoma with a 21-gallon fuel tank, it would cost you approximately $73.50 to refill an empty tank. A Tesla Model X owner can fully charge their battery for about $14.
You're essentially paying the equivalent of $1 to $2 "per gallon" for electricity instead of $3 to $5 or more for dinosaur juice.
For example, if you own a Toyota Tacoma with a 21-gallon fuel tank, it would cost you approximately $73.50 to refill an empty tank. A Tesla Model X owner can fully charge their battery for about $14.
You're essentially paying the equivalent of $1 to $2 "per gallon" for electricity instead of $3 to $5 or more for dinosaur juice.
Tips for Minimizing Charging Costs
With smart choices and some savvy—off-peak rates, a home Level 2 charger, and free electricity at shopping centers—you can minimize your EV operating expenses.
Here are some money-saving tips to keep those fill-up costs as low as possible:
Here are some money-saving tips to keep those fill-up costs as low as possible:
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Do most of your charging at home to take advantage of cheap residential electricity rates. Plug in at home overnight to avoid the premium pricing of public charging stations. Even a basic Level 1 home setup can be sufficient if you don't have epic daily driving needs.
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Time your charges for off-peak hours if your utility provider offers discounted time-of-use plans with rock-bottom overnight rates. Adjust your charging schedule and take advantage of off-peak prices to slash your per-KWh costs.
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Hunt for free public charging: lots of hotels, shopping centers, and grocery stores are installing complimentary chargers to draw EV drivers to their locations.
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Try a charging network subscription: if you'll rely on public charging due to road trips or daily driving patterns, a monthly membership from providers such as EVgo or Electrify America can make sense. Subscription services offer steeply discounted per-KWh pricing when using their nationwide networks.
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Buy an ultra-efficient EV model: some EVs get better mileage than others. Choose a model with a high efficiency rating, such as the Lucid Air or Tesla Model 3.
Electric Vehicle FAQ
Will electric cars last longer than gas cars?
Electric cars can last just as long, if not longer, than gas-powered cars with proper care and maintenance—here’s why:
- EV drivetrains are less complex than gas engines, with fewer moving parts. This allows them to last quite a long time. Some EV batteries carry warranties of up to 180,000– 200,000 miles.
- Most industry experts estimate today's EVs will reliably operate for 150,000 miles or more as battery technology continues to improve. High mileage Teslas have exceeded 200,000 and even 300,000 miles.
- Battery capacity diminishes slowly with each charge cycle, typically dropping about 20% after 100,000 miles if charging habits are well managed. Range is reduced, but function remains the same.
- Other EV components, such as motors and inverters, require little maintenance and hold up well over time. Regenerative braking also reduces wear on the braking systems.
- Improvements in battery durability, charging cycles, and materials promise to lengthen EV lifespans further as the technology evolves.
With proactive care, EVs can potentially operate reliably for over a decade or more.
- EV drivetrains are less complex than gas engines, with fewer moving parts. This allows them to last quite a long time. Some EV batteries carry warranties of up to 180,000– 200,000 miles.
- Most industry experts estimate today's EVs will reliably operate for 150,000 miles or more as battery technology continues to improve. High mileage Teslas have exceeded 200,000 and even 300,000 miles.
- Battery capacity diminishes slowly with each charge cycle, typically dropping about 20% after 100,000 miles if charging habits are well managed. Range is reduced, but function remains the same.
- Other EV components, such as motors and inverters, require little maintenance and hold up well over time. Regenerative braking also reduces wear on the braking systems.
- Improvements in battery durability, charging cycles, and materials promise to lengthen EV lifespans further as the technology evolves.
With proactive care, EVs can potentially operate reliably for over a decade or more.
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Landon Epperly
Contributing Author
Landon Epperly is the Product Manager at PrivateAuto, where he thrives on turning innovative ideas into reality. With a deep passion for cars and boats, Landon combines his love for vehicles with his expertise in product development to enhance the online marketplace experience....