EV Charging Cost Calculator
Enter your battery size and how much you want to charge. We use your state's average residential electricity price from the EIA (August 2026) for home charging and compare it with a public fast charger.
How EV charging cost is calculated
Energy added (kWh) = battery size × (charge to % − charge from %)
Energy from grid = energy added ÷ (1 − charging losses)
Home cost = energy from grid × your price per kWh
Example
Charging a 75 kWh battery from 20% to 80% adds 45 kWh. With 10% losses you draw 50 kWh from the grid. At the U.S. average of 18.16¢ per kWh that costs about $9.08 and adds roughly 158 miles at 3.5 miles per kWh — about $5.77 per 100 miles.
Home vs public charging
| Charging type | Typical price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Home Level 1 (120 V) | Your home rate | 3–5 miles of range per hour |
| Home Level 2 (240 V) | Your home rate | 20–40 miles per hour |
| Public Level 2 | Free to ~$0.30/kWh or hourly | 20–40 miles per hour |
| DC fast charging | Often ~$0.40–$0.60/kWh | Up to 80% in 20–45 minutes |
Public prices vary a lot by network, location and membership plan. Check the price in your charging app.
Compare the total yearly cost with a gas car using our EV vs gas calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
Multiply the kWh you add (plus about 10% losses) by your electricity price. Adding 50 kWh from the grid at the U.S. average of 18.16¢/kWh costs about $9.08.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home?
Almost always. Home electricity typically costs much less per kWh than DC fast charging, especially on an overnight time-of-use plan.
How much does a full charge cost?
A full 0–100% charge of a 75 kWh battery draws about 83 kWh from the grid with losses. Multiply by your price per kWh, but most drivers charge to 80% for daily use.
Why charge to 80% instead of 100%?
Many manufacturers recommend 80–90% for daily driving to reduce battery wear, and fast charging slows down a lot above 80%.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Average price of electricity by state (Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A)
- U.S. Department of Energy — Charging electric vehicles at home