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EV Charging Cost Calculator
Work out the cost to charge an EV, then compare total ownership cost to gas.
EV Charging Cost Calculator
Work out what it costs to charge an electric car — and what an EV would actually cost you to own versus a gas car.
QUICK ANSWER
To calculate the cost to charge an electric car, multiply the battery's usable capacity in kilowatt-hours by your electricity rate in dollars per kilowatt-hour. For cost per mile, divide your electricity rate by the vehicle's efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour. This calculator does that math for you and compares the result against a gas car using your own mileage, local rates and ownership timeline.
How to Calculate the Cost to Charge an Electric Car
The math is simpler than it looks. Two formulas cover almost every question people ask about EV running costs:
Cost of a full charge = usable battery size (kWh) × your electricity rate ($/kWh). A 65 kWh battery on a 15-cent rate is about $9.75.
Cost per mile = electricity rate ($/kWh) ÷ efficiency (miles per kWh). At 15 cents and 3.5 mi/kWh, that is about 4.3 cents per mile.
Add roughly 10 percent for charging losses — not every kilowatt-hour drawn from the wall reaches the battery. Compare the result against a gas car by dividing your local gas price by its miles per gallon: a 30 mpg car at $3.30 a gallon costs about 11 cents per mile.
Public DC fast charging costs meaningfully more per kilowatt-hour than home charging, so if you road-trip often, weight your estimate accordingly. Use the charging station locator to see which networks operate near you and what they charge.
See Your Real Numbers
Every driver's situation is different — your mileage, local electricity and gas prices, and how long you keep a vehicle all change the math. Use the calculator below to estimate your own total cost of ownership rather than relying on national averages that may not reflect your situation.
Purchase & usage
Energy & fuel
Annual maintenance & insurance
EV TOTAL, 5 YEARS
$61,938
Electricity: $638/yr
GAS TOTAL, 5 YEARS
$58,250
Gasoline: $1,350/yr
Over 5 years, this EV would cost approximately $3,688 more than the comparable gas vehicle.
Defaults are national averages — replace every number with your own quotes, your utility's rate, and your local gas price for a real answer. Estimates exclude financing interest, resale value, and taxes.
What the Calculator Accounts For
Purchase price (EV vs. a comparable gas vehicle you enter)
Annual mileage
Home electricity rate (with an editable default based on your state) vs. local gas price (editable default)
Estimated annual maintenance savings (uses the ranges discussed in our Maintenance page, editable)
Estimated insurance difference (uses the ranges discussed in our Insurance page, editable)
Number of years you plan to keep the vehicle
A Few Honest Caveats
This tool gives you a solid estimate, not a guarantee — actual costs depend on your specific vehicle, driving habits, local rates, and how insurance and incentive programs evolve. It's a planning tool, not a quote. For the underlying assumptions behind the defaults, see our Cost of Ownership, Insurance, and Maintenance pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Multiply the usable battery capacity in kilowatt-hours by your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour. A 65 kWh battery on a 15-cent rate costs about $9.75 for a full charge. Charging losses add roughly 10 percent, and public DC fast charging costs substantially more per kilowatt-hour than charging at home.
How do I calculate the cost per mile of an EV?
Divide your electricity rate by the vehicle's efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour. At 15 cents per kWh and 3.5 miles per kWh, that is about 4.3 cents per mile. Compare that against a gas car by dividing your local gas price by its miles per gallon.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV or buy gas?
For most drivers charging at home on a residential rate, electricity costs meaningfully less per mile than gasoline. The gap narrows if you rely heavily on public DC fast charging, if your local electricity rates are high, or if you drive very few miles per year. Enter your own numbers above rather than trusting a national average.
How long does it take an EV to pay for itself?
Divide the extra purchase cost over a comparable gas car by your combined annual fuel and maintenance savings. High-mileage drivers with cheap home electricity often break even within a few years; low-mileage drivers may never recover the difference on fuel savings alone.
What costs do people forget when comparing EVs to gas cars?
Home charger installation, higher insurance premiums, faster tire wear from the added weight and instant torque, and public fast-charging rates on road trips. Include all four for an honest comparison, and factor in any federal or state incentives you qualify for.
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