How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Multiply the energy from the wall by your price per kWh. A 75 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% draws about 50 kWh at 90% efficiency. At 18 cents per kWh that is $9.00. The US average residential price was 18.16 cents per kWh in August 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration; your bill shows your own rate.
Per mile, use the car's efficiency from its EPA label in kWh per 100 miles. At 30 kWh per 100 miles and 18 cents, a mile costs 5.4 cents. A 30 mpg gas car at $3.50 a gallon costs 11.7 cents a mile. The calculator shows both side by side and the monthly gap.
cost = battery kWh x share to fill / efficiency x price per kWh
Cost to charge by electricity rate
A 75 kWh battery, 90% efficiency.
| Price per kWh | 20% to 80% | 0% to 100% | Per mile at 30 kWh/100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 cents | $5.00 | $8.33 | 3 cents |
| 14 cents | $7.00 | $11.67 | 4.2 cents |
| 18 cents | $9.00 | $15.00 | 5.4 cents |
| 25 cents | $12.50 | $20.83 | 7.5 cents |
| 35 cents | $17.50 | $29.17 | 10.5 cents |
Home charging vs public charging
These numbers are for charging at your home rate. Public DC fast chargers usually charge more per kWh, and some bill by the minute. Time-of-use plans can make overnight charging cheaper than the average rate. For how long each charge takes, use the EV charging time calculator.