EV Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate home charging cost per charge, per mile, and per month.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Request a ToolHow to Use the EV Charging Cost Calculator
One of the primary financial benefits of an EV is lower per-mile energy cost versus gasoline. This calculator shows your exact charging economics so you can compare an EV to a gas vehicle or plan your charging budget.
- Enter battery capacity. Find this in your vehicle's spec sheet or owner's manual. Common examples: Tesla Model Y Long Range 82 kWh, Chevrolet Bolt 65 kWh, Ford Mustang Mach-E 91 kWh, Nissan Leaf 40 kWh or 62 kWh.
- Enter EPA range. Use the official EPA range for your trim level. Real-world range is typically 10-20% below EPA in cold weather.
- Enter your electricity rate. Find this on your utility bill ($/kWh) or check your state's average. Time-of-use rates for overnight EV charging can be as low as $0.07-$0.10/kWh in some areas.
The monthly cost assumes 1,000 miles per month (12,000 miles/year), close to the US average.
About the EV Charging Cost Calculator
Cost per charge equals battery capacity in kWh times electricity rate. A 75 kWh battery at $0.16/kWh costs $12 to charge from empty. Cost per mile equals cost per charge divided by EPA range. At $12 per charge and 290 miles range, that is $0.041 per mile. A comparable gas car at 28 MPG and $3.40/gallon costs $0.121 per mile. The EV costs about one-third as much per mile to fuel. At 1,000 miles per month, the EV saves roughly $80/month in fuel compared to the gas car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at home?
A Tesla Model 3 Long Range (82 kWh) costs about $13.12 to charge from empty at the US average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh. For a 350-mile range, that is $0.038 per mile. A Tesla Model Y with 75 kWh usable capacity costs about $12 per full charge. Monthly costs depend on your mileage, but most Tesla owners pay $30-$60/month for home charging at average electricity rates.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or at a public charger?
Home charging is almost always cheaper. Home electricity typically costs $0.12-$0.20/kWh. Level 2 public chargers often run $0.25-$0.40/kWh. DC fast chargers (like Tesla Superchargers) typically cost $0.35-$0.55/kWh, comparable to gasoline on a per-mile basis. For regular daily driving, plan to do 80-90% of your charging at home overnight for the lowest cost.
How long does it take to charge an EV at home?
Level 1 (standard 120V outlet) adds about 3-5 miles per hour of charging. For a 75 kWh battery, a full charge from empty takes 40-60+ hours. Level 2 (240V EVSE) adds 20-40 miles per hour, charging a 75 kWh battery in 8-12 hours overnight. Most EV owners install a Level 2 charger at home ($500-$1,500 installed) for convenient overnight charging.
How does EV cost per mile compare to gasoline?
At $0.16/kWh and 3.5 miles/kWh (typical EV efficiency), electric driving costs about $0.046/mile. At $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG, a gas car costs $0.117/mile. EVs are typically 60-75% cheaper per mile to fuel than gas vehicles at average rates. The advantage narrows if you rely on public fast charging instead of home charging.