How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?

If you are thinking about buying an electric car, you should understand the nuances of charging costs. We’re here to help.

Factors That Impact Charging Costs

Charging an EV doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all price tag. Here are the factors that determine charging costs:

Home vs. public charging
Battery size and efficiency
Charging speed
Local electricity rates and pricing structure
Availability of EV charging incentives and discounts

Home Charging Costs

Charging your EV at home is the most convenient and cost-effective way to keep your battery juiced up. But the final price tag for those nightly top-ups depends on the cost of electricity in your state and the size of your battery.

Residential electricity rates can fluctuate wildly from state to state. In North Dakota, you would pay only $1.65 to charge a small EV, while in Hawaii, the same charge would cost $7.52.

The following table shows average electricity costs by state and the average cost to charge a Tesla Model S from empty to full (the Model S has a 100kWh battery capacity). Electricity costs fluctuate, so current pricing may be different from that shown below.

State	Average Electricity Cost (cents/KWh)	Average Cost in Dollars to Charge a Tesla Model S (100 KWh)
Alabama	12.41	12.41
Alaska	22.54	22.54
Arizona	13.16	13.16
Arkansas	9.99	9.99
California	19.9	19.9
Colorado	12.28	12.28
Connecticut	21.62	21.62
Delaware	12.05	12.05
District of Columbia	13.21	13.21
Florida	11.37	11.37
Georgia	12.16	12.16
Hawaii	43.93	43.93
Idaho	11.26	11.26
Illinois	14.07	14.07
Indiana	13.79	13.79
Iowa	13.38	13.38
Kansas	14.89	14.89
Kentucky	12.16	12.16
Louisiana	11.25	11.25
Maine	24.95	24.95
Maryland	14.51	14.51
Massachusetts	29.25	29.25
Michigan	18.57	18.57
Minnesota	14.89	14.89
Mississippi	12.41	12.41
Missouri	11.43	11.43
Montana	12.28	12.28
Nebraska	10.72	10.72
Nevada	12.65	12.65
New Hampshire	23.76	23.76
New Jersey	15.64	15.64
New Mexico	13.37	13.37
New York	24.23	24.23
North Carolina	12.75	12.75
North Dakota	10.5	10.5
Ohio	15.77	15.77
Oklahoma	11.3	11.3
Oregon	12.65	12.65
Pennsylvania	16.55	16.55
Rhode Island	30.97	30.97
South Carolina	14.21	14.21
South Dakota	11.79	11.79
Tennessee	11.98	11.98
Texas	14.31	14.31
Utah	10.99	10.99
Vermont	21.22	21.22
Virginia	13.97	13.97
Washington	11.4	11.4
West Virginia	13.98	13.98
Wisconsin	16.93	16.93
Wyoming	11.47	11.47

Home charging stations are super convenient and can save you money in the long run, but they aren’t cheap to buy or install. We’ll talk about these upfront costs in more detail later on.

Public Charging Costs

When charging an EV on a public charging network, you can expect to pay $6 to $16 per hour for the fastest DC chargers, or $1 to $3 per hour for AC chargers.

Charging networks are the gas stations of the EV world. Public chargers have all kinds of pricing models that’ll either thrill or shock you when you get the final bill.

Public charging stations use one of three main options:

Pay-per-use rates bill you by the minute or kilowatt-hour of charge received.
Subscription or membership plans from networks such as EVgo and Electrify America grant discounted per-kWh pricing in exchange for a monthly fee.
Free charging incentives are provided by shopping centers, grocery stores, hotels, and others looking to attract EV drivers as potential customers.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Home Charging Station?

Home charging stations come with a pretty hefty upfront cost. Here’s what you can expect to pay for Level 1 and Level 2 setups.

Level 1 Charging Stations

The most basic option is a Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120V household outlet—the same power supply as your appliances. These simple Level 1 units are the most affordable at $200 to $500.

The big downside? They’re slow, only adding around 3–5 miles of range per hour plugged in. Fine for overnight trickle charges but useless when you need a fast top-up.

Level 2 Charging Stations

A Level 2 home charging station will cost between $500 and $2,000 for the hardware and professional installation.

That’s a hefty upfront investment, but most local municipalities offer $500 to $1000 rebates to help offset home charging station expenses. Many EVs also qualify for federal tax credits covering 30% of installation costs.

Charging an EV vs. Paying for Fuel

Electricity prices equate to only one or two dollars per gallon compared to gasoline. EV owners can save an average of $700 per year by not owning an internal combustion vehicle.

For example, if you own a Toyota Tacoma with a 21-gallon fuel tank, it would cost you approximately $73.50 to refill an empty tank. A Tesla Model X owner can fully charge their battery for about $14.

You’re essentially paying the equivalent of $1 to $2 “per gallon” for electricity instead of $3 to $5 or more for dinosaur juice.

Tips for Minimizing Charging Costs

With smart choices and some savvy—off-peak rates, a home Level 2 charger, and free electricity at shopping centers—you can minimize your EV operating expenses.

Here are some money-saving tips to keep those fill-up costs as low as possible:

Do most of your charging at home to take advantage of cheap residential electricity rates. Plug in at home overnight to avoid the premium pricing of public charging stations. Even a basic Level 1 home setup can be sufficient if you don’t have epic daily driving needs.
Time your charges for off-peak hours if your utility provider offers discounted time-of-use plans with rock-bottom overnight rates. Adjust your charging schedule and take advantage of off-peak prices to slash your per-KWh costs.
Hunt for free public charging: lots of hotels, shopping centers, and grocery stores are installing complimentary chargers to draw EV drivers to their locations.
Try a charging network subscription: if you’ll rely on public charging due to road trips or daily driving patterns, a monthly membership from providers such as EVgo or Electrify America can make sense. Subscription services offer steeply discounted per-KWh pricing when using their nationwide networks.
Buy an ultra-efficient EV model: some EVs get better mileage than others. Choose a model with a high efficiency rating, such as the Lucid Air or Tesla Model 3.

Electric Vehicle FAQ

Will electric cars last longer than gas cars?

Electric cars can last just as long, if not longer, than gas-powered cars with proper care and maintenance.

– EV drivetrains are less complex than gas engines with far fewer moving parts. This allows them to last quite a long time, with some EV batteries warrantied to 180,000– 200,000 miles.
– Most industry experts estimate today’s EVs will reliably operate for 150,000 miles or more as battery technology continues improving over time. High mileage Teslas have exceeded 200,000 and even 300,000 miles driven.
– Battery capacity diminishes slowly with each charge cycle, typically dropping about 20% after over 100,000 miles if charging habits are well managed. Less range is the primary impact, rather than function.
– Other EV components, such as motors and inverters, require little maintenance and hold up well over time. Regenerative braking also reduces wear on braking systems.
– Improvements in battery durability, charging cycles, and materials promise to lengthen EV lifespans further as the technology evolves.

With proactive care, EVs can potentially operate reliably for over a decade if not longer. Technological advancements will continue to extend capabilities and value over their lifetime as well.

Where is the best place to buy an electric car?

If you’re planning to buy an electric car, you have the following options:

Buy a new EV from a dealership: for brands that use the dealership model, such as Ford, Nissan, and GM.
Buy a new EV directly from the manufacturer: for brands that use the direct-to-consumer model, such as Tesla, Polestar, and Rivian.
Buy a used EV from a dealership.
Buy a used electric vehicle from a private seller.

If you’re buying new, you’ll be buying from a dealership or from the manufacturer—depending on your chosen brand’s distribution model.

If you’re buying used, you’re better off buying from a private party. Here at PrivateAuto, we make the private-party transaction easy and secure. Skip the dealer fees and markup when you buy through PrivateAuto.

Our integrated payment system, PrivateAuto Pay, lets you send unlimited funds instantly to the seller with no transaction fees.

From instant payments to secure communications, we give you the power to do the deal on your terms. That’s why we’re the best place to buy a used car (including an electric car) online.

What are the best electric vehicles on the market?

The following electric vehicles are frequently cited as best in class in the electric vehicle market.

Tesla Model 3: Tesla’s Model 3 is often praised for its long range, high performance, and access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. It offers a good balance of range, charging speed, and overall efficiency.
Hyundai Ioniq 5: Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 has been recognized for its ultra-fast charging capabilities and distinctive design. It also offers a spacious interior and advanced technology features.
Kia EV6: The Kia EV6 shares its platform with the Ioniq 5 and is praised for its performance, range, and charging speed. It has a sporty design and a high-quality interior. The Kia EV6 Wind is a popular trim option.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: The Mustang Mach-E combines the iconic Mustang brand with electric performance. It has been noted for its driving dynamics, range options, and user-friendly technology.
Audi e-tron: the Audi e-tron offers a premium interior, advanced technology, and a smooth ride. It’s a luxury SUV that provides a balance of performance and comfort.
Volkswagen ID.4: the ID.4 is Volkswagen’s entry into the electric SUV market, offering a practical range, spacious interior, intuitive infotainment system, and family-friendly features.
Chevrolet Bolt: the Chevy Bolt is an affordable option in the EV market, offering a competitive range and a compact size that’s ideal for city driving.
Nissan Leaf: the Nissan Leaf is one of the world’s best-selling electric cars, known for its affordability and reliability. It’s a good entry-level option for those new to electric vehicles.
Lucid Air: Lucid Motors’ Air is a luxury electric sedan that boasts impressive range and performance figures, along with a high-quality, tech-forward interior.
Rivian R1T: Rivian’s R1T is an all-electric pickup truck that offers off-road capability, innovative storage solutions, and a range suitable for long trips.

What are the most affordable electric cars?

Budget electric cars start in the high $20K range (new) and go up from there. Here are the new MSRP prices for some of the more affordable EVs on the market:

– Nissan Leaf: starts around $27,400; the longest-range affordable EV at almost 150 miles per charge and includes basic autonomous driving aids.

– Chevrolet Bolt EV: starts around $31,500; a spacious subcompact hatchback with 250+ mile range and DC fast charging capable.

– Mini Cooper Electric: starts around $33,900; an iconic compact model with zippy handling and a 114-mile range.

– Kia Niro EV: starts around $39,500; a 201 horsepower crossover SUV with 239 miles of range.

– Mazda MX-30: starts around $34,000; a stylish subcompact crossover with a 100-mile range and unique suicide door design.

Do electric cars need oil changes?

One of the biggest pros of electric cars is that they do not require oil changes. This is because they do not have any internal combustion engine components that need engine oil.

An EV’s electric motor does not require lubricating engine oil which needs to be periodically changed. The motor uses magnetism to operate with far fewer moving parts.

How many miles can an electric vehicle get per charge?

Electric vehicles offer driving ranges spanning 100 to more than 500 miles per charge. Range varies based on vehicle type, battery size, efficiency, and conditions. Let’s compare the range of some popular models

Range of Compact EVs
– Chevrolet Bolt EV: 259 miles
– Hyundai Kona Electric: 258 miles
– Mini Electric: 100–120 miles
– Peugeot e-208: 200 miles

Range of Electric SUVs
– Tesla Model X: 348 miles
– BMW iX: 324 miles

Range of Subcompact Electric SUVs
– Hyundai Kona Electric: 258 miles
– Kia Niro EV: 253 miles

Range of Electric Sedans
– Tesla Model 3: 358 miles
– Hyundai Ioniq 6: 361 miles

Range of Electric Luxury Sedans
– Lucid Air: 516 miles (highest-range EV on the market)
– Mercedes-Benz EQS: 405 miles

Range of Electric Pickup Trucks
– Rivian R1T: 328 miles
– GMC Hummer EV: 329 miles
– Tesla Cybertruck: 250–340 miles

How do I choose the right charger?

Different EVs require different charger types and sizes. Home charger amperage should be matched to a vehicle’s onboard charger. For example, for an EV with an 11.5 kW charger, a 48A EVSE is perfect.

Keep the following in mind:

– Home electrical panel capacity: an electrician should evaluate the panel capacity by completing a load calculation to determine available space for an EV charger. Homes with 200A+ panels often have sufficient room, while 100A panels frequently need upgrading to accommodate higher amperage EVSE units.
– Your car’s onboard charger size compatibility: your car’s charger electricity acceptance rate, ranging from 3.6kW to 19.2kW, must align with the amperage of your home’s EVSE charger. For example, an 11.5kW onboard charger matches well with a 48A home EVSE charger.
– Compatible charger selection: basing the EVSE selection on the vehicle’s onboard charger size enables optimal charging. The charger electricity output calculated from voltage and amperage should meet the vehicle’s input rating. Charger capacity varies among models. Make sure your system is aligned. Examples:
– Toyota RAV4 Prime: 3.3kW
– Lucid Air: 19.2kW
– Volvo XC90: 3.7kW

Landon Epperly

Contributing Author

Landon Epperly is the Product Manager at PrivateAuto, where he thrives on turning innovative ideas into reality. With a deep passion for cars and boats, Landon combines his love for vehicles with his expertise in product development to enhance the online marketplace experience….