⚡ EV Charging Cost Calculator 2026
Calculate Electric Vehicle Charging Costs & Compare Gas Savings
📊 Understanding EV Charging Costs
The EV charging cost calculator helps electric vehicle owners estimate their charging expenses at home, at public stations, and on road trips in 2026. As electricity rates and public charging networks evolve, understanding your true cost per mile is essential for budgeting and comparing savings versus gasoline vehicles.
Who needs this calculator? EV owners tracking monthly charging costs, prospective buyers comparing EV vs gas expenses, Tesla/Rivian/Ford owners calculating Supercharger trips, and anyone evaluating home charging installation payback. Benefit: Discover exactly how much you'll save—most EV drivers spend 50-70% less on "fuel" compared to gas vehicles.
Home Charging Cost Estimator
Public / DC Fast Charging Cost
EV vs Gasoline Cost Comparison
📝 How to Use the EV Charging Cost Calculator
- Select your EV model or enter custom values — Click a vehicle preset to auto-fill battery size and efficiency, or manually enter your EV's specs. Check your owner's manual or window sticker for exact figures.
- Enter your electricity rate — Find your $/kWh rate on your utility bill. The US average is $0.16/kWh, but rates vary from $0.08 (Louisiana) to $0.35+ (Hawaii, California). Time-of-use plans may offer cheaper overnight rates.
- Input your monthly driving miles — Enter how many miles you typically drive per month. The US average is ~1,000 miles/month or 12,000/year. This directly affects your monthly charging cost.
- Choose Home, Public, or EV vs Gas tab — Use Home Charging for daily costs, Public Charging for road trip estimates, or EV vs Gas to compare annual savings against your current gasoline vehicle.
- Click Calculate — View your detailed cost breakdown including cost per charge, cost per mile, monthly/annual totals, and savings compared to gasoline.
📐 EV Charging Cost Formula & Calculation Method
Cost Per Charge Formula
Example: A 75 kWh battery at $0.16/kWh costs 75 × $0.16 = $12.00 for a full charge (0-100%). For partial charges like 20%-80%, multiply by 0.60 (60% of battery).
Cost Per Mile Formula
Example: At $0.16/kWh and 3.5 miles/kWh efficiency, cost per mile = $0.16 ÷ 3.5 = $0.046/mile. Compare to gas at $3.50/gal and 28 MPG = $0.125/mile—EV costs 63% less!
Monthly Charging Cost Formula
Where: Monthly Miles ÷ Efficiency gives total kWh needed. Multiply by your electricity rate for monthly cost. For 1,000 miles at 3.5 mi/kWh and $0.16/kWh: (1000 ÷ 3.5) × $0.16 = $45.71/month.
📊 EV Charging Cost Examples
Example 1: Tesla Model 3 — Daily Commuter
Scenario: Alex drives a Tesla Model 3 Long Range (75 kWh, 3.5 mi/kWh) for a 40-mile round-trip commute in Texas where electricity is $0.12/kWh.
- Daily Miles: 40 miles
- Monthly Miles: 40 × 22 work days = 880 miles
- kWh Needed: 880 ÷ 3.5 = 251 kWh
- Monthly Cost: 251 × $0.12 = $30.17
- Cost Per Mile: $0.12 ÷ 3.5 = $0.034/mile
Result: Alex spends just $30/month on "fuel" — a gas car getting 28 MPG at $3.50/gal would cost $110/month for the same commute!
Example 2: Rivian R1T — High-Mileage Driver
Scenario: Jordan drives a Rivian R1T truck (131 kWh, 2.4 mi/kWh) 1,500 miles/month in California where electricity costs $0.28/kWh.
- Monthly Miles: 1,500 miles
- kWh Needed: 1,500 ÷ 2.4 = 625 kWh
- Monthly Cost: 625 × $0.28 = $175.00
- Cost Per Mile: $0.28 ÷ 2.4 = $0.117/mile
- Full Charge Cost: 131 × $0.28 = $36.68
Result: $175/month for an electric truck — a comparable gas truck at 18 MPG would cost $292/month ($117 savings)!
Example 3: Road Trip — Tesla Supercharging
Scenario: Maria takes a 600-mile road trip in her Tesla Model S (100 kWh, 3.0 mi/kWh) using Superchargers at $0.43/kWh.
- Trip Distance: 600 miles
- kWh Needed: 600 ÷ 3.0 = 200 kWh
- Supercharger Cost: 200 × $0.43 = $86.00
- Cost Per Mile: $0.43 ÷ 3.0 = $0.143/mile
- Number of Stops: ~2-3 charging sessions
Result: $86 for a 600-mile trip — same trip in a 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gal = $70. Road trips are where EVs are closest to gas costs, but still competitive!
📊 EV Charging Costs Reference Table 2026
| Charging Type | Rate Range | Cost Per Mile | Time to Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 1 (120V) | $0.10-0.20/kWh | $0.03-0.06 | 24-48 hours |
| Home Level 2 (240V) | $0.10-0.20/kWh | $0.03-0.06 | 6-12 hours |
| Off-Peak TOU Rate | $0.06-0.12/kWh | $0.02-0.04 | 6-12 hours |
| Public Level 2 | $0.20-0.35/kWh | $0.06-0.10 | 4-8 hours |
| Tesla Supercharger | $0.35-0.50/kWh | $0.10-0.15 | 20-40 min |
| Electrify America | $0.43-0.48/kWh | $0.12-0.16 | 20-45 min |
| ChargePoint DC | $0.40-0.60/kWh | $0.11-0.17 | 20-45 min |
| EVgo | $0.32-0.42/kWh | $0.09-0.12 | 20-45 min |
| Free Workplace/Retail | $0.00/kWh | $0.00 | Varies |
Source: Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, charging network pricing as of January 2026. Rates vary by location and membership status.
💡 Important Tips for EV Charging
- Charge at home when possible: Home charging at $0.16/kWh is 2-3x cheaper than DC fast charging. Install a Level 2 charger for overnight convenience—most cost $500-1,500 installed.
- Use time-of-use rates: Many utilities offer EV-specific plans with rates as low as $0.06/kWh during off-peak hours. Schedule charging for 11pm-6am to save 30-50%.
- Limit DC fast charging: Regular DC fast charging can degrade battery health faster than Level 2. Reserve it for road trips when you need speed.
- Charge to 80% daily: Keeping your battery between 20-80% extends battery life and reduces degradation. Save 100% charges for long trips only.
- Join charging networks: EVgo, Electrify America, and ChargePoint memberships often reduce per-kWh rates by 20-30%. Tesla owners get best rates at Superchargers.
- Look for free charging: Many workplaces, malls, and hotels offer free Level 2 charging. Apps like PlugShare show free stations near you.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A full charge costs $8-$20 for most EVs at home, depending on battery size and electricity rate. For a 60 kWh battery at the US average rate of $0.16/kWh, a full charge costs $9.60. Larger batteries like the 100 kWh Tesla Model S cost about $16. Charging from 20-80% costs roughly 60% of a full charge.
Yes, significantly. Home charging costs about $0.03-0.05 per mile, while gas costs $0.12-0.18 per mile (based on $3.50/gal and 25-30 MPG). That's 50-70% savings! Even DC fast charging at $0.40-0.50/kWh is often comparable to or cheaper than gas, especially in high gas price areas.
DC fast charging typically costs $0.35-0.50 per kWh, making it 2-3x more expensive than home charging. A session adding 40 kWh (about 140 miles) costs $14-20. Tesla Superchargers average $0.43/kWh for non-members, while Electrify America and ChargePoint charge $0.43-0.50/kWh. Network memberships can reduce costs 20-30%.
Three factors matter most: (1) Electricity rate—prices range from $0.08 to $0.35/kWh across the US; (2) Vehicle efficiency—ranges from 2.4-4.5 miles/kWh depending on vehicle size; (3) Charging location—home is cheapest, DC fast charging is 2-3x more. Driving habits (miles per month) determine total cost but not cost per mile.
Level 2 home chargers cost $300-700 for the unit plus $300-1,500 for installation, depending on electrical panel capacity and distance to garage. Total cost is typically $500-2,000. Federal tax credits (up to $1,000) and utility rebates may offset costs. The payback period is usually 1-3 years from fuel savings.
This calculator provides estimates within 5-10% of actual costs. Real-world efficiency varies based on temperature, driving style, terrain, and speed. Cold weather can reduce efficiency by 20-30%. For the most accurate results, use your actual electricity rate from your utility bill and your vehicle's displayed efficiency over time.
No—for battery longevity, charge to 80% for daily use and only charge to 100% before long trips. Lithium-ion batteries last longer when kept between 20-80% state of charge. Most EVs have settings to automatically stop at 80%. This doesn't affect your driving costs, just long-term battery health.
🔗 Related Calculators
📚 Official Resources
- DOE - Home Charging Guide
- FuelEconomy.gov - EV Technology
- Energy.gov - Electric Vehicles
- PlugShare - Find Charging Stations
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on average efficiency and electricity rates. Actual costs vary based on temperature, driving conditions, vehicle efficiency, and local electricity pricing. Consult your utility bill for exact electricity rates.
Last updated: January 2026 | Created by Omnicalculator.space