Find out what your electric car costs to charge at home: per full charge, per mile, per month and per year. Start with your state’s average rate, then enter the rate from your own bill for an exact figure.
Assumes Level 2 home charging at 90% efficiency and EPA-rated range. Electricity rates: EIA residential averages, July 2026.
How the calculator works
Charging cost comes down to two numbers: how much energy you put in, and what you pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of it.
- Energy per mile. We divide each car’s battery capacity by its EPA-rated range. A Tesla Model Y with a roughly 79 kWh battery and 357 miles of range uses about 0.22 kWh per mile at the battery.
- Charging losses. Not all the electricity from the wall reaches the battery; some is lost as heat in the charger and car. We assume Level 2 charging is about 90% efficient, so the Model Y draws about 24.6 kWh from the wall per 100 miles.
- Your rate. We multiply wall energy by your price per kWh. By default that’s your state’s average residential rate from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (July 2026).
Worked example: a full charge of a 79 kWh battery needs about 79 ÷ 0.90 = 87.8 kWh from the wall. At the July 2026 US average of 18.31¢/kWh, that’s about $16.07. Driving 1,000 miles a month costs roughly 246 kWh, or about $45.
Why your number may differ
- Your utility’s rate. State averages hide big differences between utilities and plans. Here’s how to find your real rate, including delivery charges.
- Time-of-use pricing. If your plan charges less overnight, your EV can cost far less than the average suggests. Try the time-of-use calculator.
- Driving style and weather. EPA range is a standardized estimate. Highway speeds, heavy loads and cold weather all increase energy use per mile. See why charging costs more in winter.
- Level 1 charging. A standard 120V outlet is typically a little less efficient than Level 2, so expect slightly higher costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to buy gas?
In most states, yes, when you charge at home. At the US average electricity rate a Model Y costs about 4.5¢ per mile, compared with about 14¢ per mile for a 28-mpg car at $4.00 a gallon. Use the EV vs. gas calculator with your local prices.
Should I charge to 100% every time?
Most manufacturers recommend charging to around 80% for daily use and saving 100% for long trips. Check your owner’s manual. Charging habits don’t change the cost per kWh, just how much you buy at once.
Does a full charge cost the same as filling up once?
Not quite. Most owners plug in nightly and top up a little each time, so it’s more useful to think in cost per month or per mile than per “fill-up.”