EV vs Gas in South Carolina: Yearly Cost (2026)
An electric car in South Carolina costs about $829 a year to run, including the $60 state EV fee, compared with $1,544 of gas for a 30 mpg car – the EV saves about $715 a year (25 of 51 for EV savings).
12,000 mi/yr, 3.5 mi/kWh, 85% home charging at 15.47¢/kWh, gas $3.86/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) average). Change any number below.
South Carolina EV registration fee
| Battery-electric (BEV) | $60.00 / year |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | $30.00 / year |
Charged every two years ($120 EV, $60 hybrid including plug-ins); shown here per year.
Source: www.ncsl.org, checked October 24, 2026.
Charging at home vs public chargers
Charging only at home, the EV would cost about $649 a year in South Carolina. Every 10% of miles moved to public fast chargers (about $0.48/kWh) adds roughly $120 a year. See the cost per charge for popular models in EV charging cost in South Carolina.
Nearby states
- Delaware: EV $977 vs gas $1,725 a year
- District of Columbia: EV $1,085 vs gas $1,725 a year
- Florida: EV $755 vs gas $1,592 a year
- Georgia: EV $1,034 vs gas $1,544 a year
- Maryland: EV $1,087 vs gas $1,725 a year
- North Carolina: EV $974 vs gas $1,544 a year
- Virginia: EV $972 vs gas $1,544 a year
- West Virginia: EV $979 vs gas $1,544 a year
Frequently asked questions
Is an EV cheaper than gas in South Carolina?
Yes. Driving 12,000 miles a year, an EV costs about $829 ($769 of electricity plus the $60 state EV fee) versus $1,544 of gas for a 30 mpg car – a difference of $715 a year.
How much is the EV registration fee in South Carolina?
$60.00 a year for a battery-electric vehicle and $30.00 for a plug-in hybrid, on top of normal registration. Charged every two years ($120 EV, $60 hybrid including plug-ins); shown here per year.
What gas price makes an EV and a gas car cost the same in South Carolina?
About $2.07 a gallon for a 30 mpg car, counting charging and the EV fee. Gas is currently $3.86 (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) average).
Electricity: EIA Electric Power Monthly (July 2026). Gasoline: EIA weekly retail prices, week of 2026-10-19. Estimates only; excludes purchase price, insurance and maintenance.