EV Charging Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of charging your electric vehicle and driving on electricity.
Your Details
Breakdown
Visual split of the key components
- Charging Cost13.714285714285714
Sensitivity
How the result changes across a range
How It Works
- Enter the values on the left.
- Press Calculate to see your results and charts.
- Use Reset to start over from the defaults.
Formula Used
Efficiency is measured in miles per kWh; check your vehicle's spec sheet for an accurate figure.
Good to Know
- • Home charging is usually far cheaper than public fast charging.
- • Electricity rates can vary a lot by time of day and utility plan.
Important Notes
- • Doesn't include charger installation or public charging session fees.
- • Efficiency varies with speed, weather, and driving style.
Why EVs Are Usually Cheaper to Run
Electricity is typically far cheaper per mile than gasoline, and EV motors convert energy to motion more efficiently than internal combustion engines. That combination usually makes the cost-per-mile figure above meaningfully lower than an equivalent gas vehicle's — though the exact gap depends heavily on local electricity rates and gas prices.
Home Charging vs. Public Fast Charging
This calculator assumes a flat electricity rate, which reflects home charging reasonably well. Public fast chargers often charge a premium — sometimes several times the home rate — so a road trip relying on public charging can cost noticeably more per mile than everyday home charging.
What These Terms Mean
- kWh (kilowatt-hour) — the standard unit of electrical energy used for EV charging costs.
- Efficiency (mi/kWh) — how far the vehicle travels per unit of electricity, the EV equivalent of MPG.
A Practical Example: Charging Cost for 300 Miles
Cost = 85.7 × $0.16/kWh ≈ $13.71
Cost per mile ≈ 4.6¢
Compared to a comparable gas vehicle at roughly 12¢/mile, this EV's electricity cost per mile is less than half — though public fast-charging, often billed at a premium over home rates, can narrow or eliminate that gap on road trips.
Electricity Rate Comparison Table
For 300 miles at 3.5 mi/kWh:
| Rate | Cost |
|---|---|
| $0.12/kWh | $10.29 |
| $0.16/kWh | $13.71 |
| $0.35/kWh (fast charger) | $30.00 |
What Trips People Up Estimating EV Charging Costs
- Assuming home rates apply everywhere — public fast chargers often cost 2-3x more.
- Ignoring efficiency loss in cold weather — real-world mi/kWh often drops in cold conditions.