EV Charging Cost Calculator

This calculator shows what a full charge costs, your cost per mile, and how that compares with a gas car's fuel cost per mile. It also gives the savings per 1,000 miles and a cost-equivalent mpg – the fuel economy a gas car would need to match your EV's running cost at the prices you entered.

The biggest variable is where you charge. Home charging on an off-peak or EV tariff is usually the cheapest; public DC fast charging can cost three or more times as much per kWh and, for some drivers, more per mile than gas. Run the calculator once with your home rate and once with a typical fast-charger rate to see the range.

The result assumes a full 0–100% charge with about 10% lost as heat in the charger and battery. Most drivers top up from 20% to 80%, which costs proportionally less. For time spent plugged in, see the EV charging time calculator; for the full five-year comparison including purchase price, use the EV vs gas cost calculator.

The method follows the US Department of Energy's approach of dividing electricity cost by vehicle efficiency. The cost-equivalent mpg shown here is a price comparison, not the EPA's MPGe rating – MPGe is an energy measure based on 33.7 kWh being equivalent to one gallon of gasoline, and it does not change with prices. Charging losses vary: Level 2 home charging is typically 85–95% efficient, a standard 120 V outlet is often less, and cold weather increases losses.

Electricity prices vary widely by state, utility and time of day; check your bill for the all-in price per kWh (energy plus delivery, divided by kWh used). The table shows how cost per mile scales with price for an EV that travels 3.5 miles per kWh, including 10% charging loss.

If you know your car's efficiency rather than its range, cost per mile = price ÷ (miles per kWh × 0.9). Most EVs return 3–4 miles per kWh in mild weather; large trucks and SUVs are often 2–2.5. The car's trip computer usually shows mi/kWh or kWh/100 mi – to convert, miles per kWh = 100 ÷ (kWh/100 mi).

Range in winter can fall by 20–30% or more because of cabin heating and slower battery chemistry, so cost per mile rises by a similar share. Enter your winter range to see the worst case.

• Time-of-use rates: many utilities offer cheaper overnight electricity; schedule charging in the car's app.
• Charge to 80% for daily use: it is gentler on the battery and you only pay for what you use.
• Avoid idle fees: some fast-charging networks charge per minute once charging is complete.
• Solar: home solar can cut the marginal cost of charging; size a system with the solar panel calculator.
• Check per-minute pricing: where chargers bill by time, a car that charges slowly pays more per kWh.