EV Charging Cost Calculator
Enter your driving and both vehicles' figures to see the yearly cost of each and what you would save.
The calculation
EV cost = (miles ÷ mi-per-kWh) × 1.1 charging loss × electricity rate. Gas cost = (miles ÷ mpg) × gas price. The difference is your annual saving, and dividing each by annual miles gives a cost per mile for a like-for-like comparison.
Worked example
12,000 miles a year, an EV at 3.5 mi/kWh, electricity at $0.16/kWh, versus a 30 mpg gas car at $3.50/gallon:
- EV: (12,000 ÷ 3.5) × 1.1 × $0.16 ≈$604/year — about 5.0¢ per mile.
- Gas: (12,000 ÷ 30) × $3.50 = $1,400/year— about 11.7¢ per mile.
- Annual fuel saving: roughly $800.
What changes the answer
- Where you charge. Home charging keeps the gap wide; relying on public DC fast charging (2–4× home rates) can erase it.
- Your electricity rate. At $0.35/kWh the EV per-mile cost roughly doubles; at $0.11/kWh it halves.
- Gas prices. Every $1/gallon move is about 3¢ per mile for a 30 mpg car.
- Climate. Hard winters cut EV range and efficiency, raising cost per mile in the cold months.
See EV vs gas: the real cost comparison for maintenance and depreciation too.
Related tools
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Frequently asked questions
Why is home charging so much cheaper than gas?
Electric motors are far more efficient than combustion engines, and residential electricity is usually cheaper per unit of energy than gasoline. At typical US rates, home charging often costs a third to a half of what gas costs per mile.
Does this include charging losses?
Yes. About 10% of the energy drawn from the wall is lost as heat during AC charging, so the calculation multiplies the battery energy needed by 1.1.
What about public fast charging?
Public DC fast charging can cost two to four times more than home charging, sometimes approaching gas costs. This tool models home charging; adjust the electricity rate up if most of your charging is public.
What efficiency should I enter for my EV?
Miles per kWh. Efficient cars manage 4+ mi/kWh; mid-size cars around 3.3–3.7; larger SUVs and trucks closer to 2.5. Your car's display or EPA rating (often given as kWh/100 mi — divide 100 by that number) will tell you. Cold weather can cut winter efficiency by 20–40%.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home per month?
Roughly (monthly miles ÷ mi-per-kWh) × 1.1 × your electricity rate. For 1,000 miles a month at 3.5 mi/kWh and $0.16/kWh, that's about $50 a month — versus roughly $110 for a 30 mpg gas car at $3.50/gallon.
Does an EV need a special charger at home?
A standard outlet (Level 1) adds about 3–5 miles of range per hour — fine for low-mileage drivers. A Level 2 charger (240 V) adds 20–40 miles per hour and usually costs $500–2,000 installed. The electricity cost per mile is the same either way; only the speed differs.
What about the cost of the electricity if I have solar?
If you charge from your own solar production during the day — especially where net-metering export rates are low — the marginal cost approaches zero, which improves the economics of both the car and the panels. Use the solar savings calculator to size a system.
Are maintenance savings included?
No, this compares fuel only. EVs also typically cost 30–50% less to maintain (no oil changes, less brake wear), which widens the gap further over the life of the car.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Figures and formulas are checked against their published sources; see the site's data notes.