EV Charging Cost Calculator
What an electric car actually costs to fuel versus gas — per mile and per year, with home charging, public fast charging, and the charging losses most comparisons quietly ignore.
Fuel cost only. This compares energy, not total ownership — insurance, maintenance, depreciation and purchase price all differ too. Your electricity rate matters more than the car: the same EV can cost 5¢ or 15¢ a mile depending on where and when you charge.
US average is about 13,500 miles.
Overnight EV or time-of-use rates can be half this.
DC fast charging commonly runs $0.40–$0.60 per kWh.
You would save
Enter your mileage
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Electric — cost per mile | — |
| Gas — cost per mile | — |
| Electric — per year | — |
| Gas — per year | — |
| Electricity used | — |
How EV Running Cost Is Calculated
- Energy needed = miles ÷ efficiency (mi/kWh).
- Energy paid for = that figure ÷ 0.875, because Level 2 charging is only about 85–90% efficient. You pay for electricity that never reaches the battery.
- Electric cost = energy paid for × your rate (blended, if you split home and public).
- Gas cost = miles ÷ mpg × price per gallon.
Worked example — 12,000 miles, 3.5 mi/kWh, $0.17/kWh, vs 30 mpg at $3.30: 3,429 kWh into the car, 3,918 kWh paid for → $666/year electric vs $1,320 gas, saving about $654. That's 5.6¢ vs 11¢ per mile.
Where You Charge Changes Everything
| Charging | Typical rate | Cost per mile | vs 30 mpg gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home, overnight EV tariff | $0.09/kWh | ~2.9¢ | Saves ~$980/yr |
| Home, standard rate | $0.17/kWh | ~5.6¢ | Saves ~$654/yr |
| Mixed, 20% public | blended ~$0.24 | ~7.8¢ | Saves ~$385/yr |
| Public DC fast only | $0.50/kWh | ~16.3¢ | Costs ~$650 MORE |
This is the part most EV cost articles skip. If you can't charge at home, the fuel savings can disappear entirely — and against an efficient hybrid, public-only charging is simply more expensive.
Before You Assume It Pays
- Check for an EV tariff. Many utilities offer overnight rates at half the standard price or less — often the single biggest lever on running cost.
- Home charger installs run $1,500–$3,000. Over a decade that's 1–2¢ per mile; toggle it above to see it included.
- Cold weather cuts range 20–40%. Winter efficiency is meaningfully worse than the sticker figure.
- Adding an EV changes your solar math. 12,000 miles adds roughly 3,700 kWh a year — size an array against post-EV usage, not today's bill.
- Compare against the car you'd actually buy, not a national average. Against a 50 mpg hybrid the gap narrows sharply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does home charging cost?
About 5.6¢/mile at $0.17/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh — roughly $660 a year for 12,000 miles, versus $1,320 for a 30 mpg car at $3.30.
Is DC fast charging more than gas?
It can be. At $0.50/kWh that's ~16¢/mile — worse than many gas cars. Public-only charging often erases the savings.
What are charging losses?
Level 2 charging is ~85–90% efficient, so you buy 10–15% more electricity than the battery stores. This calculator includes that.
Does off-peak charging help?
A lot — EV tariffs can drop overnight rates below 10¢/kWh, roughly halving cost per mile.
Does it pair with solar?
Yes, but 12,000 miles adds ~3,700 kWh/yr — often 3 kW of extra panels. Size for post-EV usage.
What about charger install cost?
$1,500–$3,000 typically; about 1–2¢/mile spread over ten years.
References
- US Department of Energy / fueleconomy.gov — EV efficiency and cost comparison: fueleconomy.gov
- US Energy Information Administration — residential electricity and gasoline prices: eia.gov
- DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center — charging infrastructure and losses: afdc.energy.gov