How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?

At the average US electricity rate of ~$0.16/kWh, charging at home costs about $500-700 per year for a typical driver (12,000 miles). That's equivalent to about $1.50 per gallon of gas. With time-of-use rates, you can charge off-peak for even less.

Is Level 2 charging worth the installation cost?

For most EV owners, yes. Level 2 (240V) chargers deliver 25-30 miles of range per hour vs. 3-5 for Level 1. The $800-2,000 installation cost typically pays for itself through convenience and the ability to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. Note: the federal 30C charger credit (30% up to $1,000, limited to eligible census tracts) expired June 30, 2026 — equipment placed in service after that date does not qualify — but many utilities offer their own charger rebates.

How much more expensive is public charging?

Public DC fast charging typically costs $0.30-0.60/kWh — 2-3x more than home charging. However, it adds range quickly (200+ miles per hour). Minimizing public charging and charging at home maximizes your savings.

What are time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates?

TOU rates vary by time of day. Off-peak hours (usually overnight) can be 50-70% cheaper than peak rates. Since EVs can charge overnight, TOU plans are ideal for EV owners and can cut charging costs significantly.

GoGreenCalc

Calculators

EV vs Gas Cost Solar Payback EV Charging Cost Heat Pump vs Furnace EV Tax Credit Battery Storage Heat Pump Water Heater

Learn

Try a Calculator

Updated June 2026

EV Charging Cost Calculator

Calculate your electric vehicle charging costs at home and on-the-go, compare with gas costs, and estimate your savings with different charging setups.

Your Inputs

Results update instantly as you make changes.

Driving & Vehicle

Annual Miles

12,000 miles

EV Efficiency

28 kWh/100mi

Electricity Rates

Flat Electricity Rate

0.16 $/kWh

I have time-of-use (TOU) rates

Gas Comparison

Gas Price

3.3 $/gal

Comparable Gas MPG

30 mpg

Advanced settings3 sections

This calculator estimates annual EV charging costs based on your driving habits and electricity rates. Energy consumption is calculated as (annual miles / 100) × EV efficiency (kWh/100mi). Costs are split between home and public charging based on your specified percentages. For time-of-use (TOU) rates, the effective rate is the weighted average of off-peak and on-peak rates. Gas comparison uses standard MPG calculations. Charging times are estimated at 1.4 kW for Level 1 and 7.6 kW for Level 2. CO₂ savings use EPA averages: 0.855 lbs CO₂/kWh for the grid and 19.6 lbs CO₂/gallon of gasoline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

EV vs Gas Cost

Compare full EV vs gas car ownership costs.

Solar Payback

Charge your EV with solar for near-free fuel.

EV Tax Credit

Check your eligibility for EV tax credits.

EV Charging Cost by State

Get ev charging cost estimator estimates with local rates and incentives for your state.

Learn More About EV Charging

evtax-credit

The Federal EV Charger Credit (30C) Expired June 30, 2026: What's Left

The Section 30C home EV charger tax credit — 30% of cost up to $1,000 — expired June 30, 2026. Here's what it was worth, who could still claim it for a pre-deadline install, and what remains.

4 min read

Home vs Public EV Charging Cost: How Much Can You Save in 2026?

Compare EV charging costs at home vs public Level 2 and DC fast chargers. See real per-mile costs, state-by-state rates, and annual savings for 2026.

8 min read

evbattery

Time-of-Use Electricity Rates Explained: How to Actually Save Money

What time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates are, how peak and off-peak pricing works, and who saves money by switching — especially EV owners and battery households.