EV Charging Cost Calculator
Work out what it costs to charge your electric vehicle at home or at a public fast charger, the cost per mile, and how much you save compared with a gasoline car.
Formulas shown on this page · Last reviewed October 2026
EV charging cost formula
energy added = battery kWh × (target % − current %)
wall kWh = energy added ÷ charging efficiency
cost per mile = rate ÷ (mi/kWh × charging efficiency)
Preset battery sizes and efficiencies are approximate, based on widely published figures, and real-world numbers shift with weather, speed and driving style. Edit them to match your own car. Efficiency in the calculator means battery-to-wheels, so charging losses are added on top.
Cost of a 20–80% charge by electricity rate
75 kWh battery, Level 2 at 90% efficiency: 45 kWh added, 50 kWh from the wall, 3.5 mi/kWh.
| Rate | Cost per charge | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| $0.12/kWh | $6.00 | $0.038 |
| $0.18/kWh | $9.00 | $0.057 |
| $0.25/kWh | $12.50 | $0.079 |
| $0.35/kWh | $17.50 | $0.111 |
Ways to lower charging costs
- Charge at home overnight and ask your utility about EV or time-of-use rates, which can be well below the daytime price.
- Use DC fast charging for road trips, not daily needs. It is typically $0.40–$0.60 per kWh.
- Level 1 (a standard outlet) adds only about 3–5 miles of range per hour, so it suits low daily mileage. Level 2 suits most drivers.
- Check for federal, state or utility rebates on home charger installation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fully charge an EV at home?
A 75 kWh battery charged from 0 to 100% on a Level 2 charger (90% efficient) draws about 83.3 kWh from the wall. At $0.18/kWh that is about $15.00.
Is a DC fast charger cheaper than gas?
Often not. At $0.48/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh, DC fast charging costs about $0.149 per mile once 8% charging losses are counted. A 28 mpg car at $3.40 a gallon costs about $0.121 per mile.
How much do you save by driving an EV?
Driving 1,100 miles a month at home rates costs about $63 on Level 2, versus about $134 for a 28 mpg gas car at $3.40. That is roughly $850 saved per year.
Why does charging use more energy than the battery receives?
Some energy is lost as heat in the charger and battery. Level 1 is about 85% efficient, Level 2 about 90% and DC fast charging about 92%, so you pay for more kWh than end up in the pack.