By EV Charge Cost Editorial Team. Published September 28, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.
The formula
Home charging cost = miles driven × (kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100) × electricity price per kWh.
The EPA efficiency rating in kWh per 100 miles is measured at the wall outlet, so it already includes the energy lost while charging. You do not need to add a separate loss factor when you use it.
A worked example
Take 13,500 miles a year, an EV rated at 33.5 kWh/100 mi and 18.16¢/kWh:
- Energy per year: 13,500 × 0.335 = 4,523 kWh
- Cost per year: 4,523 kWh × $0.1816 = $821.29
- Cost per month: $68.44
Why the state matters most
Electricity prices vary more than threefold between states. The same EV costs $4.26 per 100 miles in Nevada (12.72¢/kWh) and $15.81 in Hawaii (47.18¢/kWh).
| State | Price (¢/kWh) | Per 100 miles | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 12.72 | $4.26 | $47.94 |
| Louisiana | 12.87 | $4.31 | $48.50 |
| North Dakota | 13.31 | $4.46 | $50.16 |
| Utah | 13.31 | $4.46 | $50.16 |
| Idaho | 13.37 | $4.48 | $50.39 |
| Alaska | 29.41 | $9.85 | $110.84 |
| California | 29.75 | $9.97 | $112.12 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48 | $10.21 | $114.87 |
| Maine | 32.11 | $10.76 | $121.01 |
| Hawaii | 47.18 | $15.81 | $177.81 |
What else changes the bill
- Your actual rate. State averages hide big differences between utilities and plans. Use the price on your bill in the charging cost calculator.
- Time-of-use plans. Many utilities charge less overnight. See how time-of-use rates affect EV charging.
- Public fast charging. DC fast chargers usually cost several times more per kWh than home power. The calculator lets you add a public-charging share.
- Weather and driving style. Cold weather, heating and high speeds raise consumption above the EPA rating.
How mileage changes the bill
Charging cost scales in a straight line with miles driven. Doubling your mileage doubles the bill; the price per kWh and the car's efficiency set the slope. The table shows a 33.5 kWh/100 mi EV at three price levels: the cheapest state, the U.S. average and the most expensive state.
| Miles per year | Nevada (12.7¢) | U.S. average (18.2¢) | Hawaii (47.2¢) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,000 | $21.31 | $30.42 | $79.03 |
| 10,000 | $35.51 | $50.70 | $131.71 |
| 13,500 | $47.94 | $68.44 | $177.81 |
| 20,000 | $71.02 | $101.39 | $263.42 |
How the car changes the bill
Efficiency matters almost as much as the state. At the U.S. average price, each extra kWh per 100 miles costs about $0.18 per 100 miles, or $24.52 a year at 13,500 miles. Here is what some popular models cost at the same price:
| Model | kWh/100 mi | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 26.9 | $54.88 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 26.4 | $53.89 |
| Tesla Model S | 32.5 | $66.37 |
| Tesla Model X | 34.2 | $69.97 |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 42.9 | $87.66 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | 32.6 | $66.64 |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | 35.6 | $72.82 |
| Chevrolet Silverado EV | 49.6 | $101.23 |
A quick checklist for your own number
- Find your all-in price per kWh on your bill (see how to find your electricity rate).
- Look up your car's EPA kWh per 100 miles on its vehicle page.
- Estimate your yearly miles from your odometer or service records.
- Enter all three in the calculator; add a public-charging share if you fast-charge on trips.
A state in the middle of the ranking, such as Alabama at 16.33¢/kWh, puts a typical EV at about $61.54 a month. Your own figure will differ by your utility, plan and driving, which is why the calculator lets you replace every default.