EV Charging Cost Estimator in Illinois
Calculate EV charging costs in Illinois at home and on the go. Compare charging vs gas costs using local electricity rates ($0.161/kWh) and gas prices.
Data last updated July 2026. Sources & methodology
What Illinois Residents Should Know
Home charging is where EV owners in Illinois see the biggest savings. At the state average of $0.161 per kWh, a Level 2 home charger costs roughly $0.05 per mile. Compare that to $0.12 per mile for a 30-mpg gas car fueled at $3.45 per gallon, and you are looking at roughly $67 in monthly savings if you drive about 1,000 miles.
Illinois utilities with time-of-use plans offer off-peak rates as low as $0.100 per kWh. Scheduling your charge for overnight hours drops the cost to just $0.03 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.
Illinois households currently pay an average of $117 per month for electricity. Adding an EV to the household typically raises the bill by $48–$64 per month (for 1,000–1,300 miles of driving), which is still far less than the $114–$148 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.
Choosing a charging setup matters too. A standard 120-volt outlet (Level 1) adds only 3–5 miles of range per hour, which is fine for low-mileage drivers, while a 240-volt Level 2 charger refills most EVs overnight. A home Level 2 charger runs about $500–$1,200 installed and, at Illinois's savings versus gasoline, usually pays for itself within a year or two of everyday driving.
Avg. Electricity Rate
$0.161/kWh
Avg. monthly bill: $117
Regular Gas Price
$3.45/gal
Natural gas: $1.10/therm
TOU Peak Rate
$0.240/kWh
Off-peak: $0.100/kWh
Incentives in Illinois
Federal clean energy tax credits ended in late 2025 under legislation passed in July 2025; they are shown below for reference since recent purchasers may still claim them. State programs are governed separately and many remain active — always verify current details with the program before purchasing.
| Incentive | Type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (30D)Ended | tax credit | $7,500 | Federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for new qualifying EVs. Ended September 30, 2025 — vehicles acquired after that date do not qualify. Buyers with a binding contract and payment made by the deadline may still claim it for 2025. |
| Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (25E)Ended | tax credit | 30% | Federal tax credit of up to $4,000 (30% of sale price) for qualifying used EVs bought from licensed dealers. Ended September 30, 2025 — vehicles acquired after that date do not qualify. |
| Illinois EV Rebate | rebate | $4,000 | Rebate of up to $4,000 for new EV purchases registered in Illinois. Available for vehicles with MSRP under $80,000. |
EV Charging Cost in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Illinois?
- At Illinois's average $0.161/kWh rate, home charging costs about $0.05 per mile — roughly $10–$12 for a full overnight charge that adds 200–250 miles of range.
- Is home charging cheaper than gas in Illinois?
- Yes. Home charging in Illinois costs about $0.05 per mile versus roughly $0.12 per mile for a 30-mpg gas car at $3.45/gal — typically a large monthly saving for anyone driving 1,000+ miles.
- Can time-of-use rates lower my charging cost in Illinois?
- Yes. Illinois utilities with time-of-use plans offer off-peak rates as low as $0.100/kWh, dropping the cost of overnight charging to about $0.03 per mile.
- How much will an EV add to my electric bill in Illinois?
- Adding an EV in Illinois typically raises the monthly electric bill by $48–$64 for 1,000–1,300 miles of driving — far less than the equivalent gasoline cost.
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