Which state is cheapest for EV charging?

North Dakota has the lowest average residential electricity rate at about 11 cents per kWh, making it the cheapest state to charge an EV at home. Missouri, Nebraska, Idaho, and Arkansas are also among the cheapest. A full 60 kWh charge in North Dakota costs about $6.55 compared to nearly $24 in Hawaii.

Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or at a public station?

Home charging is significantly cheaper. The average home rate is about 17 cents per kWh versus 30-45 cents per kWh at public Level 2 stations and 45-65 cents per kWh at DC fast chargers. Charging at home overnight is 2-4x cheaper than public charging.

How long does it take to charge an EV at home?

With a standard 120V outlet (Level 1), a full charge takes 24-40 hours. With a 240V Level 2 home charger — which most EV owners install — a full charge takes 6-10 hours, making overnight charging practical for daily driving.

Can time-of-use rates reduce EV charging costs?

Yes. Many utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) plans with off-peak rates 30-50% lower than standard rates. Charging between 9 PM and 6 AM on a TOU plan can reduce your per-kWh cost significantly, sometimes to under 10 cents per kWh even in expensive states.

Does charging an EV increase your electric bill?

Yes, but far less than you'd spend on gas. The average EV adds $45-65 per month to your electric bill for 1,000 miles of driving. Compare that to $120-170 per month in gasoline for the same distance. The net savings are typically $60-100 per month.

Can solar panels eliminate EV charging costs?

A home solar system can offset most or all of your EV charging costs. A typical EV needs about 3,600 kWh per year for 12,000 miles of driving — roughly 2-3 kW of solar capacity. In sunny states, this can effectively reduce your fuel cost to zero after the solar payback period.

2026 Data • All 50 States

EV Charging Costs
by State

Q: How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

The national average is about 17.45 cents per kWh based on our latest electricity rates by state. A typical EV with a 60 kWh battery costs about $10.50 for a full charge at home, giving you roughly 200 miles of range. Monthly costs average $45-75 depending on how much you drive and your local electricity rate.

Updated May 2026 by our Energy Team

How much does it actually cost to charge an electric car at home? Compare electricity rates, calculate your savings versus gas, and find out which states are cheapest for EV drivers.

Avg Full Charge (60 kWh)

Avg Annual Savings vs Gas

Avg Cost Per Mile (EV)

Cheaper Than Gas Per Mile

How Much Would You Save?

Pick your state and vehicle — we'll calculate your monthly charging cost and show exactly how much you'd save versus gas.

Your State We'll use your state's average residential electricity rate

How Many Miles Do You Drive Per Month?

miles

Average American drives about 1,000 miles/month (12,000/year)

What EV Do You Drive (or Plan To)? Efficiency varies — smaller cars go farther per kWh than trucks/SUVs

What Do You Pay for Gas?

$/gallon

National average is around $4.00/gal — adjust to your local price

Select your state above to see your personalized results.

$38

Monthly EV Cost

$131

Monthly Gas Cost

$459

Annual EV Cost

$1,575

Annual Gas Cost

$1,116/yr

Your Annual Savings Driving Electric

State-by-State Comparison

Click any state for a full breakdown. Toggle between rate, savings, and cost-per-mile views.

Loading map data...

Annual Savings vs Gas

EV vs Gas: The Full Picture

Watch the costs stack up side by side — fuel, maintenance, and total ownership.

$634

$634/yr

Gas

$1,745

$1,745/yr

Annual fuel cost · 12,000 miles · average U.S. rates (17.45¢/kWh, $4.00/gal)

cheaper to fuel an EV per mile

$1,100

average annual fuel savings

50%

lower maintenance costs

spent on oil changes

What About Road Trips?

Even using DC fast chargers on the highway, an EV still costs less per trip than gas.

Dallas → Houston

240 miles

$18

EV (fast charge)

$31

Gas (27.5 MPG)

Save $13 per trip

LA → San Francisco

380 miles

$29

EV (fast charge)

$66

Gas (27.5 MPG)

Save $37 per trip

NYC → Washington DC

225 miles

$17

EV (fast charge)

$28

Gas (27.5 MPG)

Save $11 per trip

Home vs Public Charging

Charging at home overnight is by far the cheapest option — about 3x cheaper than a DC fast charger on a road trip. Here's what a full 60 kWh charge costs at each level.

🏠 Home Charging

240V wall charger

$10.47

17¢per kWh

🅿️ Public Level 2

Malls, parking garages

$18

30¢per kWh

⚡ DC Fast Charging

Supercharger, Electrify America

$33

55¢per kWh

Cost for a full 60 kWh charge. Home charging is about 3x cheaper than DC fast charging.

How Electricity Rates Affect EV Costs

Your electricity rate is the single biggest factor in what you pay to charge.

In states like North Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri, where residential rates are around 11 cents per kWh, a full charge costs about $7. In Massachusetts or Maine, the same charge costs over $18 — and in Hawaii it's nearly $24. That's a 3-4x difference for the same car and the same miles.

If you live in a deregulated state, you can shop for a cheaper electricity plan and cut your charging costs. Many providers offer time-of-use plans with off-peak rates 30-50% lower — perfect for overnight EV charging. In Texas, some plans offer free nights, meaning your EV charges for zero.

Even small rate differences add up fast. Dropping your rate by just 3 cents per kWh saves about $130 per year on a typical EV driven 12,000 miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

The national average is about 17.45 cents per kWh. A typical EV with a 60 kWh battery costs about $10.50 for a full charge at home, giving you roughly 200 miles of range. Monthly costs average $45-75.

Which state is the cheapest for EV charging?

North Dakota has the lowest average residential electricity rate at about 11 cents per kWh. A full 60 kWh charge in North Dakota costs about $6.55 compared to nearly $24 in Hawaii.

How much do you save driving an EV compared to gas?

The average American saves about $1,100 per year on fuel by driving an EV. EV drivers pay roughly 5-6 cents per mile for electricity, compared to 13-15 cents per mile for gasoline.

About This Data

Residential electricity rates sourced from our own electricity rates by state data (latest available). Gas prices from AAA state-level averages. EV efficiency figures from the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov. Cost calculations assume home (Level 2) charging at 3.3 mi/kWh average EV efficiency and 27.5 MPG gas equivalent. Last updated: May 2026.