EV Charging Cost Estimator in California
Calculate EV charging costs in California at home and on the go. Compare charging vs gas costs using local electricity rates ($0.302/kWh) and gas prices.
What California Residents Should Know
Home charging is where EV owners in California see the biggest savings. At the state average of $0.302 per kWh, a Level 2 home charger costs roughly $0.09 per mile. Compare that to $0.16 per mile for a 30-mpg gas car fueled at $4.80 per gallon, and you are looking at roughly $69 in monthly savings if you drive about 1,000 miles.
California utilities with time-of-use plans offer off-peak rates as low as $0.200 per kWh. Scheduling your charge for overnight hours drops the cost to just $0.06 per mile. Public DC fast chargers, on the other hand, typically cost $0.30–$0.50 per kWh and should be reserved for road trips rather than everyday charging to keep costs down.
California households currently pay an average of $184 per month for electricity. Adding an EV to the household typically raises the bill by $91–$121 per month (for 1,000–1,300 miles of driving), which is still far less than the $158–$206 per month you would spend on gasoline for the same distance. Use the calculator above to enter your exact driving habits and see how much you could save.
Avg. Electricity Rate
$0.302/kWh
Avg. monthly bill: $184
Regular Gas Price
$4.80/gal
Natural gas: $1.80/therm
TOU Peak Rate
$0.520/kWh
Off-peak: $0.200/kWh
Available Incentives in California
| Incentive | Type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (30D) | tax credit | $7,500 | Tax credit for purchasing a new qualifying electric vehicle. Vehicle must be assembled in North America and meet battery component and critical mineral requirements. Credit is split into $3,750 for battery components and $3,750 for critical minerals. |
| Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (25E) | tax credit | 30% | Tax credit for purchasing a qualifying used electric vehicle from a licensed dealer. Vehicle must be at least 2 model years old and priced at $25,000 or less. Credit is 30% of the sale price, up to $4,000. |
| Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) | rebate | $7,500 | Rebate for purchasing or leasing a new qualifying zero-emission or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Standard rebate of $2,000 for BEVs, with increased rebates for low-income applicants up to $7,500. |
Run the EV Charging Cost Calculator
Use our free calculator pre-filled with California data to see your personalized results.
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