--- title: "The Cheapest Electric Cars to Charge (Most Efficient EVs)" description: "The most efficient EV in our EPA data, the Tesla Model 3, costs about $646.63 a year to charge at 18.16¢/kWh. The top 10 and the gap to the least efficient." url: https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cheapest-evs-to-charge/ updated: 2026-10-26 --- # The Cheapest Electric Cars to Charge (Most Efficient EVs) The cheapest EV to charge in our EPA data is the **Tesla Model 3** at 26.4 kWh per 100 miles: about **$646.63 a year** for 13,500 miles at the U.S. average price of 18.16¢/kWh. The least efficient model, the GMC Hummer EV, costs $1,722.91 for the same driving. By [EV Charge Cost Editorial Team](https://evchargecosts.com/about/). Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026. ## Efficiency is the only vehicle factor in the bill Your charging cost is miles × kWh per mile × price per kWh. Your state sets the price and your life sets the miles. The car you choose sets the kWh per mile, and that number is what separates a cheap EV to run from an expensive one. We rank models by their EPA kWh per 100 miles, which is measured at the wall and so includes charging losses. ## The 10 most efficient EV models Each model is shown by its representative trim (the one closest to the model's median rating across current model years), so a single unusual variant does not decide its place. The "best trim" column shows the most efficient version of that model, which is often a smaller-battery, single-motor or small-wheel configuration. Rankings update automatically as the EPA adds new model years. **Most efficient EV models and yearly charging cost at 18.16¢/kWh (13,500 mi/yr)** | Model | Type | kWh/100 mi | Best trim | MPGe | Per year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Tesla Model 3](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/tesla-model-3/) | Car | 26.4 | 24.3 | 128 | $646.63 | | [Tesla Model Y](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/tesla-model-y/) | Small SUV | 26.9 | 24.3 | 125 | $658.58 | | [Lucid Air](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/lucid-air/) | Car | 27.3 | 23.1 | 123 | $669.42 | | [Lexus ES](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/lexus-es/) | Car | 27.5 | 27.0 | 122 | $674.70 | | [Toyota bZ](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/toyota-bz/) | Small SUV | 28.0 | 25.5 | 120 | $686.34 | | [Hyundai Ioniq 6](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/hyundai-ioniq-6/) | Car | 28.0 | 25.0 | 120 | $686.45 | | [Chevrolet Bolt EV](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/chevrolet-bolt-ev/) | Car | 28.2 | 28.2 | 120 | $691.23 | | [Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/mercedes-benz-glc-class/) | Car | 28.2 | 28.2 | 119 | $692.19 | | [Audi A6 e-tron](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/audi-a6-e-tron/) | Car | 28.7 | 26.5 | 117 | $704.68 | | [Subaru Solterra](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/subaru-solterra/) | Small SUV | 28.9 | 28.0 | 117 | $709.06 | ## How big is the gap? At the U.S. average price, the most efficient model costs $4.79 per 100 miles. A typical EV (33.5 kWh/100 mi) costs $6.08. The least efficient model in the data, [GMC Hummer EV](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/gmc-hummer-ev/), costs $12.76. - Most efficient vs typical EV: $174.66 a year saved. - Most efficient vs least efficient: $1,076.28 a year saved. - Tenth on the list vs typical EV: $112.23 a year. Where you charge magnifies these gaps. In [Hawaii](https://evchargecosts.com/states/hawaii/), at 47.18¢/kWh, the most efficient model costs $1,679.95 a year and a typical EV $2,133.72. In [Nevada](https://evchargecosts.com/states/nevada/), at 12.72¢/kWh, the same two cost $452.92 and $575.26. An efficient car matters most where electricity is expensive, and for drivers who rely on public fast charging priced around $0.45 per kWh. ## What the saving adds up to Charging costs are paid every month for as long as you own the car, so small differences compound. As an illustration, over 8 years of 13,500 miles at today's U.S. average price, the most efficient model would cost about $5,173.04 to charge, a typical EV $6,570.32, and the least efficient model $13,783.28. Electricity prices change over time, so treat these as today's-price estimates rather than forecasts. Efficiency should not be the only reason to pick a car. Purchase price, insurance, space and range all matter more for most buyers. But if two models suit you equally well, the lower kWh per 100 miles is a saving you collect on every mile. ## What efficient EVs have in common - **Low, smooth shapes.** Sedans and low crossovers push less air than tall SUVs and trucks. - **Smaller wheels.** Within a model, the smaller-wheel trim is often the more efficient one; see [our wheel size analysis](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/wheel-size-and-ev-efficiency/). - **Single motor versions.** Many models list a single-motor trim with a lower rating than the dual-motor one. Check the trim table on each model page. ## Efficiency is not the same as range A car can be efficient and still have modest range if its battery is small, and a long-range car can be thirsty if its battery is huge. For running cost, compare kWh per 100 miles. For road trips, compare range. If you think in MPGe, [our MPGe guide](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/mpge-explained/) shows how the two scales relate, and [what kWh per 100 miles means](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/what-kwh-per-100-miles-means/) covers the basics. The full list, with every trim, is on the [vehicle pages](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/). ## Run your own numbers - [Charging cost calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/) - [EV vs gas calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/ev-vs-gas/) - [Charging time calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/charging-time/) - [Cost in your state](https://evchargecosts.com/states/) - [How we calculate](https://evchargecosts.com/methodology/) ## Related guides - [What kWh per 100 Miles Means (and How It Relates to MPGe)](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/what-kwh-per-100-miles-means/) - [How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Truck?](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cost-to-charge-an-electric-truck/) - [How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric SUV?](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cost-to-charge-an-electric-suv/) - [Does Cold Weather Increase EV Charging Cost?](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cold-weather-ev-charging-cost/) - [Highway Speed and EV Efficiency: What It Costs to Drive Fast](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/highway-speed-and-ev-efficiency/) - [What Is MPGe? MPGe Explained for EV Owners](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/mpge-explained/) [All 59 guides](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/) ## Questions people ask ### Which electric car is cheapest to charge? By EPA rating, the Tesla Model 3 at 26.4 kWh/100 mi for its representative trim, about $4.79 per 100 miles at 18.16¢/kWh. ### How much can an efficient EV save each year? Compared with a typical 33.5 kWh/100 mi EV, the most efficient model saves about $174.66 a year at 13,500 miles and the U.S. average electricity price. The saving grows with mileage and electricity price. --- Source page: https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cheapest-evs-to-charge/ Data: EIA (electricity August 2026, gasoline 2026-10-19), EPA fueleconomy.gov. License: CC BY 4.0.