EV Charging Cost in California (July 2026)
Charging an electric car at home in California costs about $28.01 for a full charge of a Tesla Model Y and $0.107 per mile, based on the average residential rate of 33.61¢/kWh – the 50th cheapest of 51 states and DC. Driving 1,100 miles a month runs about $117.
Electricity rate: EIA Electric Power Monthly, July 2026, released September 24, 2026. Vehicle figures are approximate.
Cost to charge popular EVs in California
| Vehicle | Full charge (0–100%) | 20–80% top-up | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y Long Range (~75 kWh) | $28.01 | $16.81 | $0.107 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EUV (~65 kWh) | $24.27 | $14.56 | $0.104 |
| Nissan Leaf Plus (~62 kWh) | $23.15 | $13.89 | $0.113 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range (~77 kWh) | $28.76 | $17.25 | $0.113 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning Extended (~131 kWh) | $48.92 | $29.35 | $0.178 |
Level 2 home charging at 90% efficiency and 33.61¢/kWh. Time-of-use or EV rates from your utility can be lower.
EV vs gas in California
A Model Y charged at home costs $0.107 a mile. A 28 mpg gas car costs the same per mile when gas is $2.99 a gallon; at any higher pump price the EV is cheaper to run. Each $1 per gallon above that breakeven saves about $471 a year at 1,100 miles a month.
Public DC fast charging is a different story: at a typical $0.48/kWh it costs about $0.149 a mile ($164 a month), 1.4× the home rate. Charging mostly at home is what makes an EV cheap.
How California compares
- Massachusetts: $25.41 per full charge (30.49¢/kWh)
- Maine: $27.01 per full charge (32.41¢/kWh)
- Hawaii: $40.00 per full charge (48.00¢/kWh)
- Cheapest state to charge: Louisiana at $10.60 per full charge.
- US average: $15.26 per full charge at 18.31¢/kWh.
Other Pacific Contiguous states: Washington ($12.26), Oregon ($13.31).
How the numbers are calculated
wall kWh = battery kWh × (target % − current %) ÷ charging efficiency
cost per charge = wall kWh × 33.61¢
cost per mile = rate ÷ (mi/kWh × efficiency)
breakeven gas price = cost per mile × 28 mpg
The rate is the statewide average residential price, which includes delivery charges but not fixed monthly fees. Your utility's rate and any EV or overnight plan matter more than the state average – check your bill and enter your own rate in the calculator above. See all of California's electricity costs on the California electricity cost page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in California?
At the July 2026 average residential rate of 33.61¢/kWh, a full 0–100% charge of a ~75 kWh Tesla Model Y on a Level 2 charger costs about $28.01, and a typical 20–80% top-up about $16.81. That is 84% more than the US average.
What is the cost per mile to drive an EV in California?
About $0.107 per mile charging at home (3.5 mi/kWh, 90% charging efficiency). Driving 1,100 miles a month costs about $117, versus $64 at the US average rate.
Is an EV cheaper than gas in California?
Charging at home is cheaper than a 28 mpg gas car whenever gas costs more than about $2.99 a gallon in California. Public DC fast charging at $0.48/kWh costs about $0.149 per mile, which is often no cheaper than gas.
How much is a full charge on a Level 1 outlet in California?
A standard 120 V outlet is less efficient (about 85%), so a full Model Y charge draws 88.2 kWh and costs about $29.66 – $1.65 more than Level 2.
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (July 2026). Charging efficiencies: Level 1 85%, Level 2 90%, DC fast 92% (typical values).