EV Charging Cost Calculator
Compare the cost of charging your EV at home vs. public chargers vs. gasoline. Enter your monthly miles, your electricity rate, the public charging price you usually pay, and your gas price, and the calculator shows your monthly cost for each option and how much you save.
How the calculation works
- Energy used: monthly miles ÷ your EV's efficiency (miles per kWh) = kWh per month.
- Home charging cost: kWh per month × your home electricity rate.
- Public charging cost: kWh per month × the public price per kWh.
- Gasoline cost: monthly miles ÷ your gas car's MPG × the price per gallon.
- Savings: gasoline cost minus home charging cost.
Example: 1,000 miles a month
Using the calculator's defaults — $0.13/kWh at home, $0.35/kWh at public chargers, and gasoline at $3.50/gal in a 30 MPG car ($116.67 a month):
| Vehicle | mi/kWh | Home | Public | Saved vs. gas (home) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 3.8 | $34.21 | $92.11 | $82.46 |
| Tesla Model Y | 3.5 | $37.14 | $100.00 | $79.52 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | 3.9 | $33.33 | $89.74 | $83.33 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 3.2 | $40.63 | $109.38 | $76.04 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 3.4 | $38.24 | $102.94 | $78.43 |
| BMW iX | 3.0 | $43.33 | $116.67 | $73.33 |
| Rivian R1T | 2.6 | $50.00 | $134.62 | $66.67 |
| Average EV | 3.5 | $37.14 | $100.00 | $79.52 |
Your numbers will differ: electricity rates vary widely by utility and time of day, and public prices depend on the network, the charger's speed, and any membership plan. Signed-in drivers can pick their own saved EV from the vehicle list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
Multiply the kWh you use by your electricity rate. At 1,000 miles a month, an EV that goes 3.5 miles per kWh uses about 286 kWh, which costs about $37 at $0.13/kWh.
Why is public charging more expensive than charging at home?
Public chargers, especially DC fast chargers, cover equipment, demand charges, and site costs, so networks typically charge two to four times a residential electricity rate.
Does the calculator include charging losses?
No. It uses your EV's rated efficiency. Real-world charging losses and cold weather can add roughly 10 to 15 percent to the energy you pay for.