EV Home Charging Cost Calculator
Blog posts compare EVs to gas cars using a national average electricity price that has nothing to do with what you actually pay. Enter your own rate and your car's real numbers to see your true cost per mile and yearly savings. Nothing uploaded.
Cost Per Mile
Annual Cost
Result
Comparing EV and gas car running costs
How electricity rate and EV efficiency determine your cost per mile
The math is straightforward: cost per mile = (electricity rate in $/kWh) divided by (EV efficiency in miles/kWh). Example: an EV with 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency charged at $0.16/kWh costs $0.16 / 3.5 = $0.046 per mile. A Tesla Model 3 Long Range charged at $0.16/kWh (national average) and averaging 3.8 mi/kWh in real-world driving costs about $0.042 per mile. The same car in California at $0.20/kWh costs $0.053 per mile. A gas car at $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG costs $3.50 / 30 = $0.117 per mile. At these numbers, the EV is 40-60% cheaper per mile depending on where you live. Always use your real electricity rate (from your utility bill) and your car's actual efficiency (from the onboard computer or EPA rating), not national averages." }
Why gas price and electricity rate matter more than you think
Small changes in electricity rate or gas price swing the comparison significantly. If gas rises to $4.50/gallon (from $3.50), the gas car jumps to $0.15/mile at 30 MPG, making the EV comparison even more favorable. If electricity drops to $0.10/kWh (off-peak charging or in a cheap power region), the EV drops to $0.029/mile. Conversely, if electricity rises to $0.25/kWh, the EV climbs to $0.071/mile, nearly double. For an annual comparison, multiply cost per mile by your actual annual mileage - the difference compounds over years. At 12,000 miles/year with the example numbers, an EV saves roughly $850/year in fuel cost vs the gas car." }
FAQ
Where do I find my electricity rate and EV efficiency?
Your electricity rate is on your utility bill, usually listed as $ per kWh (cents per kilowatt-hour). Example: $0.16/kWh is typical in mid-US states; California averages $0.20+. Your EV's efficiency is in the vehicle's onboard computer (check Energy settings on the display) or in your owner's manual, measured in miles per kWh (or kilometers per kWh). Most modern EVs average 3-4 mi/kWh on highways and 4-5 mi/kWh in city driving. This calculator uses your real numbers, not national averages, so the comparison is specific to your situation.
How is cost per mile calculated?
Cost per mile = (electricity rate / EV efficiency) for an EV, and (gas price / MPG) for a gas car. Example: an EV with $0.16/kWh electricity and 3.5 mi/kWh costs $0.16 / 3.5 = $0.046 per mile. A gas car at $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG costs $3.50 / 30 = $0.117 per mile. The EV is cheaper at this rate. Annual cost = cost per mile × annual miles. At 12,000 miles per year, the EV costs about $552 and the gas car costs about $1,404.
Should I factor in charging losses and inefficiencies?
The calculator uses the EV's real-world miles-per-kWh rating (which already accounts for drivetrain losses), so you do not need to adjust it separately. However, if you want to be more conservative, you can lower your EV's mi/kWh estimate slightly to account for wall-to-battery charging inefficiencies - typically 10-15% loss from AC wall power to the battery. For example, if your EV reports 3.5 mi/kWh, you might use 3.0 mi/kWh in the calculator to be conservative.