---
title: "How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric SUV?"
description: "The median electric SUV uses 34.9 kWh per 100 miles, about $6.34 per 100 miles at 18.16¢/kWh. Small vs large SUVs and popular models compared."
url: https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cost-to-charge-an-electric-suv/
updated: 2026-10-26
---

# How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric SUV?

The median electric SUV in our data uses 34.9 kWh per 100 miles. At the U.S. average price of 18.16¢/kWh (August 2026) that is about **$6.34 per 100 miles** or **$71.33 a month** for 13,500 miles a year. Small SUVs sit near $67.03 a month, larger ones near $77.33.

By [EV Charge Cost Editorial Team](https://evchargecosts.com/about/). Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.

## How many EVs are SUVs?

Of the 91 EV models in our EPA data, 56 are classed as sport utility vehicles. That makes "how much does an electric SUV cost to charge" close to "how much does an EV cost to charge", with one catch: size matters. The EPA splits SUVs into small and standard classes, and the larger ones need more energy per mile: the standard-class median is 37.9 kWh/100 mi against 32.8 for small SUVs.

## SUVs against cars and trucks

The table shows the median EPA rating for each body type in our data and what that costs at 18.16¢/kWh.

**Median charging cost by body type at 18.16¢/kWh, 13,500 miles a year**

| Body type | Models | Median kWh/100 mi | Per 100 miles | Per month | Per year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Car | 27 | 33.8 | $6.14 | $69.03 | $828.38 |
| Small SUV | 30 | 32.8 | $5.96 | $67.03 | $804.34 |
| Standard SUV | 26 | 37.9 | $6.87 | $77.33 | $927.94 |
| Pickup | 6 | 48.7 | $8.85 | $99.56 | $1,194.74 |

The difference between a median car (33.8 kWh/100 mi) and a median SUV (34.9) is $27.60 a year at this price. Body type matters less than you might expect, because both groups include efficient and thirsty models. The effect of where you live is far bigger: the median SUV costs $49.96 a month in [Nevada](https://evchargecosts.com/states/nevada/) and $185.32 in [Hawaii](https://evchargecosts.com/states/hawaii/).

## Popular electric SUVs

**Popular electric SUVs, representative EPA trim, at 18.16¢/kWh**

| SUV | kWh/100 mi | EPA range (mi) | Per month | Full charge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Tesla Model Y](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/tesla-model-y/) | 26.9 | 337 | $54.88 | $16.44 |
| [Toyota bZ](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/toyota-bz/) | 28.0 | 288 | $57.20 | $14.64 |
| [Subaru Solterra](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/subaru-solterra/) | 28.9 | 278 | $59.09 | $14.60 |
| [Hyundai Kona Electric](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/hyundai-kona-electric/) | 29.1 | 261 | $59.42 | $13.78 |
| [Kia EV6](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/kia-ev6/) | 31.6 | 295 | $64.52 | $16.92 |
| [Volkswagen ID.4](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/volkswagen-id-4/) | 31.6 | 206 | $64.55 | $11.82 |
| [Chevrolet Equinox EV](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/chevrolet-equinox-ev/) | 32.6 | 307 | $66.64 | $18.18 |
| [Ford Mustang Mach-E](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/ford-mustang-mach-e/) | 33.6 | 240 | $68.72 | $14.66 |
| [Honda Prologue](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/honda-prologue/) | 34.1 | 294 | $69.61 | $18.19 |
| [Tesla Model X](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/tesla-model-x/) | 34.2 | 329 | $69.97 | $20.46 |
| [Hyundai Ioniq 5](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/hyundai-ioniq-5/) | 34.5 | 269 | $70.48 | $16.85 |
| [Nissan Ariya](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/nissan-ariya/) | 35.3 | 205 | $72.11 | $13.14 |
| [Chevrolet Blazer EV](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/chevrolet-blazer-ev/) | 35.6 | 283 | $72.82 | $18.32 |
| [Cadillac Lyriq](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/cadillac-lyriq/) | 38.0 | 319 | $77.60 | $22.00 |
| [Kia EV9](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/kia-ev9/) | 40.0 | 283 | $81.72 | $20.56 |
| [Rivian R1S](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/rivian-r1s/) | 43.1 | 317 | $88.10 | $24.83 |

Each model page shows every trim, because the spread within one nameplate can be wide. Dual-motor versions, larger wheels and performance trims usually sit at the top of a model's range.

## The most and least efficient SUVs

Across all SUVs, [Tesla Model Y](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/tesla-model-y/) is the most efficient at 26.9 kWh/100 mi ($658.58 a year), and [Audi SQ8 e-tron](https://evchargecosts.com/vehicles/audi-sq8-e-tron/) the least at 56.3 kWh/100 mi ($1,379.24 a year). Same class, same electricity price, a gap of $720.66 a year.

## A year in the median SUV

Take the median electric SUV at 34.9 kWh per 100 miles and 13,500 miles a year. It draws about 4,714 kWh from the wall, or 393 kWh a month. At 18.16¢/kWh the year costs $855.98.

If a quarter of that energy came from public fast chargers at around $0.45 per kWh, the year would cost $1,172.26 instead. For most SUV owners, where they charge moves the bill more than which SUV they bought, so it is worth setting up home charging if you can. See [public fast charging vs home charging](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/public-fast-charging-vs-home-charging-cost/).

## Small SUV or large SUV?

The EPA's small SUV class in our data has a median of 32.8 kWh/100 mi; the standard (larger) class sits at 37.9. Over 13,500 miles that difference is $123.60 a year at the U.S. average price. If you need three rows, the larger class is the realistic choice, but it pays to compare models inside it: the spread from best to worst in each class is wider than the gap between the class medians.

## What pushes an SUV's real cost up

- **Frontal area.** A tall, wide body pushes more air, and drag grows roughly with the square of speed, so highway-heavy drivers feel it most. See [highway speed and EV efficiency](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/highway-speed-and-ev-efficiency/).

- **Wheels and tires.** Big wheels are common on SUVs; our [wheel size analysis](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/wheel-size-and-ev-efficiency/) shows what EPA data says about them.

- **Roof boxes and bike racks.** Anything that adds drag adds kWh.

- **Winter.** Heating a large cabin takes energy; see [cold weather and charging cost](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cold-weather-ev-charging-cost/).

Plug your SUV and state into the [charging cost calculator](https://evchargecosts.com/) for a personal figure, or browse all models 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/)
- [The Cheapest Electric Cars to Charge (Most Efficient EVs)](https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cheapest-evs-to-charge/)
- [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

### Do electric SUVs cost more to charge than electric cars?

On average, slightly. The median SUV in our data uses 34.9 kWh/100 mi against 33.8 for cars, a difference of $2.30 a month at 18.16¢/kWh. Large SUVs cost more than small ones.

### What is the most efficient electric SUV?

By representative EPA trim, Tesla Model Y is the most efficient SUV in our data at 26.9 kWh per 100 miles.

---
Source page: https://evchargecosts.com/guides/cost-to-charge-an-electric-suv/
Data: EIA (electricity August 2026, gasoline 2026-10-19), EPA fueleconomy.gov. License: CC BY 4.0.