How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Car?

One of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle is that charging the battery is cheaper than fueling a car with gasoline. Based on average electricity prices, car models, and driving habits, it costs about $63 per month to charge an electric vehicle. 

To give the most accurate estimate of how much you can expect to pay each month to charge your EV, we’ve broken down each factor and compared average prices with gas-powered vehicles so you can decide if going electric is right for you.

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What does it cost to charge an electric car?

The average cost to charge an electric vehicle at home is around $63 per month. While you’ll see this increase on your electric bill, you won’t have to worry about filling up at the gas station.

But, just like gas-powered cars, the total cost of charging your battery will vary with several factors, including:

• Electricity prices

• Car model

• Lifestyle

• Where and how you charge an electric car

• Location

Electricity prices

Electricity prices will heavily impact the cost of driving an EV. The higher the average electricity rates, the more it’ll cost to charge your EV. You’ll notice that the most expensive states to charge an EV are the ones with noticeably high electric prices. These states include: 

• Hawaii: $159.19

• California: $123.71

• Massachusetts: $105.56

• Rhode Island: $105.34

• Connecticut: $97.50

Car model

The car you purchase will affect how much it costs to charge. It will cost more to fully charge an electric car with a bigger battery—just like it costs more to fill up cars with a bigger gas tank.

Most electric cars have similar-sized batteries, but some are more efficient. EVs with higher miles of range won’t need to be charged as often as others, but filling the battery from 0% to 100% may cost more. 

For example, the cost to fully charge a Tesla model with a 100 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery capacity will be higher than charging one with a 75 kWh battery. Here’s how much it costs to fully charge some of the most popular EVs on the market:

Car Model	EPA estimated range	Est. home charging cost*
Tesla Model Y	330	$12.75
Ford Mach E	250	$11.90
Chevy Bolt	259	$11.05
Hyundai Ioniq 5	303	$10.71
Kia EV6	310	$9.86
Ford F150 Lightning	310	$16.66

*Assumes 85% charging efficiency and an average electric rate of $0.17 per kWh

Lifestyle

How often you drive will also determine how frequently you need to charge your car. Are you a frequent commuter? Do you take your car on longer road trips often? These are questions to ask yourself when shopping around for an EV. Choosing an electric car with a more efficient battery life could be beneficial if you’re a frequent road-tripper. 

The chart below outlines mileage driven based on different lifestyles to give a better idea of how much you’ll spend on EV charging monthly:

Type of commute	Avg. miles driven per month	Est. charges each month*	Monthly charging cost (at-home charging)
Average commute	1,230	5.5	$69.70
Long commute	2,400	11	$136
Personal use driving	625	3.8	$35.41

*based on the average EV range of 230 miles

The type of charger you use

You can charge your car at home or a public charging station. Charging at home costs an average of $63 per month, charging at a public charger can cost between $116 and $258 monthly! Installing an at-home charging station is the more cost-effective option.

There are three levels of electric car charging: 

• Level 1: Provides charging through a standard residential 120-volt AC outlet. It can take 40 to 50+ hours of charging to get your EV from 0% to 80%. Level 1 chargers are catered to at-home use only.

• Level 2: Offers higher-rate AC charging through 240-volt (primarily residential) electric service. This level can charge EVs from 0% to 80% in 4 to 10 hours. It’s recommended that you get a Level 2 charger installed in your home for the fastest charging possible. 

• Direct current (DC) fast charging: Also known as ‘Level 3 fast charging’, it offers rapid charging along heavy-traffic corridors at installed stations. DC fast charging equipment can charge an EV to 80% in just 20 minutes to 1 hour. DC fast charging is only available at public charging stations.

Location

Where you’re located in the U.S. can also significantly impact your monthly EV expenses. Not only does it influence your cost of electricity, it determines how much driving you’ll be doing. If you live in a more rural area, you may have to drive further routes to your destination.

The climate can also change how often you need to charge your vehicle. Electric cars don’t hold a charge as well when it gets cold, so living in areas with harsh winters might call for you to charge your car more often during winter months. 

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Is it cheaper to charge an electric car than to fill up a gas car?

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration,  the average gas price across the U.S. in 2024 is about $3.50 per gallon. Based on the typical American commute and the average car's fuel economy, that's about $143 is spent each month at the gas station. That's a 44% increase from the monthly expense of charging an EV!

Using a home charger to fill up your electric car is cheaper, but you can save even more money when pairing your EV charger with solar panels. Solar electricity costs about $0.06 per kWh over 25 years, cutting your monthly charging costs nearly in half. 

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Are there any incentives for electric vehicle charging?

Thankfully, yes! The best incentive for electric vehicle charging is the federal tax credit for individuals who install EV chargers in their homes. The tax credit equals 30% of the installation cost, up to $1,000! 

To claim the credit, you must fill out tax form 8911 when filing your taxes for the year. Consider consulting a tax professional for further guidance on claiming this tax credit. The tax credit will be available to eligible taxpayers until 2033.

Local EV charger incentives are also available to homeowners in certain states and municipalities. For example, New Jersey offers a $250 rebate for qualifying level 2 charger installations.

You can also earn EV incentives to reduce the upfront cost when you purchase an EV. 

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Solar panels are the cheapest way to charge an electric car

Electric vehicles and solar panels are a match made in heaven, bringing in the best monthly savings.

SolarReviews’ 2023 EV report states that charging your vehicle in solar-friendly states costs about $0.06 per kWh. Considering the average kWh consumption, you can expect to pay around $22.50 each month when charging your EV with solar. That’s $40.50 less than charging at home from the grid.

Not only is charging with solar cost-effective, but it’s also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and become a more energy-efficient household. If you’re unsure if your home is suitable for solar panels, put your home’s information into our solar calculator to learn more.