What you pay depends on where you charge and your local electricity rates

The cost to charge an electric car varies widely based on three things: your local electricity price, whether you charge at home or at a public station, and the efficiency of your vehicle. Home charging is almost always cheaper than public charging, but public charging is faster and necessary for long trips. Most EV owners do the majority of their charging at home overnight, then use public chargers only when traveling or when home charging isn't available.

A useful comparison: charging an EV at home typically costs one-third to one-half what you'd spend on gasoline for the same distance. But that math changes at a fast-charging station on a highway, where you might pay closer to what gas costs per mile—or more, depending on the network and your location.

Key Takeaways

  • Home charging costs between $0.03 and $0.06 per mile in most U.S. states, depending on your local electricity rate and your car's efficiency.
  • Public Level 2 chargers (the slower kind at parking lots and workplaces) typically cost $0.25 to $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, while DC fast chargers cost $0.35 to $0.80 per kilowatt-hour.
  • Charging networks charge by the kilowatt-hour, by the minute, or by a flat session fee—and rates vary significantly between Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, and Tesla's Supercharger network.
  • Many workplaces and apartment buildings offer free or low-cost charging, which can cut your charging costs substantially if available to you.
  • Time of use matters: charging during off-peak hours (usually late night or early morning) can reduce your home charging cost by 20 to 40 percent if your utility offers a time-of-use rate.

Home charging costs and how to calculate them

To find your home charging cost, you need two numbers: your local electricity rate (in cents per kilowatt-hour) and your car's efficiency (how many miles it travels per kilowatt-hour). Your electricity bill shows the rate; your car's manual or the EPA label shows efficiency, usually listed as miles per kilowatt-hour or MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).

The math is straightforward: divide your electricity rate by your car's efficiency. If you pay $0.14 per kilowatt-hour and your car uses 0.25 kilowatt-hours per mile, your cost is $0.035 per mile. Multiply that by your typical monthly miles to estimate your monthly charging bill. Most EV owners find home charging adds $30 to $80 per month to their electricity bill, depending on how much they drive.

Electricity rates vary by state and utility. California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts have the highest rates (often $0.18 to $0.25 per kilowatt-hour), while Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Washington have the lowest (often $0.10 to $0.12 per kilowatt-hour). Your utility bill shows your exact rate; if you don't have a recent bill, call your utility or check their website.

Public Level 2 chargers: slower, cheaper than fast charging

Level 2 chargers are the most common public chargers. They're found at parking lots, shopping centers, workplaces, and apartment buildings. They add 10 to 30 miles of range per hour, depending on the car and charger power. A full charge typically takes 4 to 10 hours.

Level 2 pricing varies by network. ChargePoint, the largest network in the U.S., charges between $0.25 and $0.50 per kilowatt-hour at most locations, though some chargers charge by the minute ($0.05 to $0.10 per minute) or by session ($2 to $5 flat fee). Electrify America's Level 2 chargers cost $0.30 to $0.40 per kilowatt-hour. Many workplaces and apartment complexes offer free Level 2 charging as a benefit, which is why many EV owners rarely use paid public chargers for daily driving.

If you're charging away from home, Level 2 is usually your cheapest option. A 30-kilowatt-hour charge (roughly 100 miles for most EVs) costs $7.50 to $15 at a typical Level 2 charger, compared to $15 to $30 at a DC fast charger.

DC fast chargers: expensive but necessary for road trips

DC fast chargers add 150 to 200 miles of range in 20 to 40 minutes. They're found along highways and at major travel corridors. They're the only practical option for long-distance driving, but they cost significantly more than home or Level 2 charging.

Electrify America, the largest DC fast-charging network, charges $0.43 per kilowatt-hour at most locations, though some chargers cost $0.50 or more. EVgo charges $0.35 to $0.50 per kilowatt-hour depending on the charger speed. Tesla's Supercharger network, available to non-Tesla owners since 2023, charges $0.50 to $0.80 per kilowatt-hour depending on location and demand. A 30-minute fast charge (roughly 150 to 200 miles) typically costs $15 to $30.

Many networks now charge by the minute instead of by kilowatt-hour, especially for charging sessions that go beyond 80 percent battery. This incentivizes you to stop charging before the battery is full, since charging slows down significantly after 80 percent and the per-minute cost becomes expensive. Check the network's app before you start charging to see which pricing method applies.

Subscription plans and membership programs

Several charging networks offer monthly or annual subscriptions that reduce per-kilowatt-hour rates if you charge frequently. Electrify America offers a subscription ($4.99 to $14.99 per month) that lowers DC fast-charging rates by $0.05 to $0.10 per kilowatt-hour. ChargePoint offers a similar program. EVgo offers a subscription that reduces rates on their network.

These subscriptions make sense only if you use public chargers regularly—typically more than once or twice per week. Most EV owners who charge primarily at home find subscriptions unnecessary. Calculate your typical monthly public charging cost and compare it to the subscription fee before signing up.

Some employers and apartment buildings negotiate group rates with charging networks, offering residents or employees discounted rates or free charging. Ask your workplace or building management whether they have a partnership with any charging network.

Factors that affect your total charging cost

Your car's efficiency matters significantly. A Tesla Model 3 uses roughly 0.20 to 0.25 kilowatt-hours per mile, while a larger vehicle like a Chevrolet Blazer EV uses 0.28 to 0.32 kilowatt-hours per mile. Over a year, that difference adds up. Check your car's EPA label or manual for its rated efficiency.

Driving habits also affect cost. Highway driving is less efficient than city driving, so a long highway trip will cost more per mile than local charging. Cold weather reduces efficiency by 20 to 40 percent in most EVs, so winter charging costs more than summer charging in cold climates. Preheating your car while plugged in (rather than using battery power) can help offset this.

Time-of-use electricity rates can cut your home charging cost significantly. Many utilities offer lower rates during off-peak hours (typically 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.). If your utility offers this rate, charging at night instead of during the day can reduce your cost by 20 to 40 percent. Check your utility's website or call to ask whether time-of-use rates are available in your area.

Comparing charging costs to gasoline

At current average U.S. electricity and gasoline prices, charging an EV at home costs roughly one-third to one-half what gasoline costs for the same distance. If you pay $0.14 per kilowatt-hour and your car uses 0.25 kilowatt-hours per mile, your cost is $0.035 per mile. Gasoline at $3.50 per gallon costs roughly $0.10 to $0.12 per mile for a typical gas car.

However, this comparison assumes home charging. Using only DC fast chargers for all your driving would cost roughly as much as gasoline, or more. Most EV owners save money because they do 80 to 90 percent of their charging at home, where rates are lowest.

Keep in mind that electricity and gasoline prices change. Your actual savings depend on your local rates and driving patterns. Use your utility's rate and your car's efficiency to calculate your specific cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A full overnight charge typically costs $3 to $8, depending on your local electricity rate and your car's size. A Tesla Model 3 with a 75-kilowatt-hour battery charged at $0.14 per kilowatt-hour costs about $10.50 for a full charge. Smaller cars cost less; larger SUVs cost more. Most owners charge to 80 percent rather than 100 percent, which costs slightly less and is better for long-term battery health.

Are there free charging stations?

Yes, but they're becoming less common. Some workplaces, apartment buildings, shopping centers, and hotels offer free Level 2 charging. ChargePoint and other networks show which chargers are free in their apps. However, most public chargers now charge a fee. Free chargers are usually available only to residents or customers of the location where they're installed.

What's the difference between paying per kilowatt-hour and paying per minute?

Per-kilowatt-hour pricing charges you based on how much energy you use, similar to your home electricity bill. Per-minute pricing charges you for the time the charger is connected, regardless of how much energy flows. Per-minute pricing is usually cheaper for fast charging up to 80 percent, but becomes expensive if you charge beyond 80 percent, since charging slows down significantly. Check the network's app to see which pricing method applies before you start.

Do I need a subscription to use public chargers?

No. You can pay per session or per kilowatt-hour at most networks without a subscription. Subscriptions reduce your per-kilowatt-hour rate if you charge frequently, but most EV owners who charge primarily at home don't need one. Calculate your typical monthly public charging cost to decide whether a subscription saves you money.

How much more does it cost to charge during peak hours versus off-peak hours?

If your utility offers time-of-use rates, off-peak charging (usually late night or early morning) costs 20 to 40 percent less than peak-hour charging. The exact difference depends on your utility's rate structure. Check your electricity bill or call your utility to see whether time-of-use rates are available in your area and what the peak and off-peak rates are.