EV Charging Costs: Home vs. Public vs. Gasoline Compared
How much does it really cost to charge an EV? We break down home charging, public charging, and gasoline costs mile-by-mile.
The Real Cost of EV Charging
One of the biggest benefits of driving an EV is lower fuel costs. But how much do you actually save? Let's break it down.
Home Charging Costs
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. residential electricity price is roughly 16-17 cents per kWh, ranging from about 11 cents to over 40 cents depending on the state and rate plan. Many EV owners on overnight or EV-specific rates pay closer to $0.10-$0.14 per kWh — near the $0.13 figure used here. A typical EV travels about 3-4 miles per kWh, per the EPA and DOE's fueleconomy.gov.
Cost per mile: $0.037 (about 3.7 cents per mile)
For 1,000 miles/month: $37/month
Public Level 2 Charging
Many public Level 2 stations are free (at hotels, workplaces, shopping centers). Paid stations typically charge $0.20-0.35 per kWh.
Cost per mile: $0.06-0.10
For 1,000 miles/month: $60-100/month
DC Fast Charging
DC fast charging is the most expensive option, ranging from $0.25-0.50 per kWh depending on the network and location.
Cost per mile: $0.07-0.14
For 1,000 miles/month: $70-140/month
Gasoline Comparison
The AAA national average for regular gasoline has hovered around $3.00-$3.60 per gallon in recent years. At $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG (a typical gas car):
Cost per mile: $0.117
For 1,000 miles/month: $117/month
Annual Savings Summary
| Fuel Method | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Annual Savings vs Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Charging | $37 | $444 | $960 |
| Public L2 | $80 | $960 | $444 |
| DC Fast | $105 | $1,260 | $144 |
| Gasoline | $117 | $1,404 | — |
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's eGallon tool, which compares the cost of driving on electricity versus gasoline, fueling a typical EV on grid electricity costs roughly half to one-third as much as gasoline in most states.
The takeaway: home charging saves nearly $1,000/year. Even exclusive DC fast charging saves money. Use our cost calculator to see your personalized savings.
Dig Deeper Into the Numbers
Want to cut costs further? See exactly what public stations charge in our public charging cost guide, and find no-cost options in our guide to free EV charging stations. You can also browse paid and free stations near you on the interactive map.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
About $0.037 per mile — roughly 3.7 cents — which works out to around $37 a month for 1,000 miles, based on a typical EV traveling 3-4 miles per kWh.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than buy gas?
Yes. Home charging saves nearly $1,000 a year compared with gasoline at $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG, and even charging exclusively on DC fast chargers still costs less than gas.
How much does public charging cost compared to home?
Public Level 2 runs about $0.06-0.10 per mile and DC fast charging about $0.07-0.14 per mile, versus roughly $0.037 per mile when charging at home.
How much would DC fast charging cost per month?
For 1,000 miles a month, exclusive DC fast charging costs about $105/month, or roughly $1,260 a year.
Sources
- Electricity rates and data — U.S. Energy Information Administration
- eGallon: cost of driving on electricity vs. gasoline — U.S. Department of Energy
- Electric vehicles and efficiency (fueleconomy.gov) — U.S. EPA & DOE
- Daily national average fuel prices — AAA