Does EV charging really cost less than gas?

Imagine pulling into your driveway each night and “filling up” for half the price—no gas station stops, no fluctuating fuel prices. Electric vehicles (EVs) don’t just cut tailpipe emissions; they cut costs.

If you charge at home, powering an EV costs less than half as much as fueling the average gas-powered vehicle. Pair your charger with solar panels, and you can stretch those savings even further.

Public EV chargers, on the other hand, aren’t quite as cost-effective. Plugging in on the go often costs about the same as fueling up, but thanks to lower operating costs and fewer maintenance needs, EV drivers who rely on public charging stations can still save money each year compared to gas car owners.

Your exact savings will depend on several factors, including where you live, your electricity rates, the type of charger, and your charging habits. We’ll break down what you can expect to pay for EV charging and how it compares to gas prices.

Based on popular EV models and the average U.S. electricity rate of about 17 cents per kWh, it costs about $17 to charge an EV at home, or about 6 cents per mile. For the average American logging roughly 12,200 miles annually, that works out to about $61 per month in home charging costs.

The simplest way to estimate your own costs is to multiply your utility’s electricity rate by your car’s battery size. Keep in mind that charging isn’t perfectly efficient, so you’ll use a bit more electricity than your battery’s total capacity. Your actual costs can also vary depending on your charger speed, location, and even the time of day you plug in.

How much does public EV charging cost?

Public charging stations are convenient when you're on the go, but they typically cost more than home charging. According to AAA, as of October 6, 2025, public chargers average around $0.37 per kWh—more than double what you'd pay at home.

At that rate, you’ll pay roughly 13 cents per mile to charge in public—which keeps EV fueling costs competitive with gas but still much higher than home charging. DC fast chargers (Level 3) can be even pricier, with rates that vary widely depending on the network and location.

Home charging remains the most affordable option for everyday driving, while public stations are best for road trips or when you’re away from home.

As of October 6, 2025, the AAA national average gas prices are $3.13 per gallon for regular and $3.98 per gallon for premium, which translates to approximately 13 cents per mile for the average gas-powered car. For someone driving roughly 12,200 miles per year, that amounts to $132 in monthly fuel costs.

By comparison, charging an EV at home costs around 6 cents per mile—less than half the cost of gas. That adds up to about $71 in monthly savings, or over $850 saved each year, just on fuel alone.

However, public EV charging costs roughly the same as gas—around 13 cents per mile. But even if you rely on public stations and don’t save much on fuel, EVs still offer significant financial advantages. With lower maintenance costs—no oil changes, fewer brake replacements thanks to regenerative braking, and simpler drivetrains with fewer parts that can fail—EVs can still be much cheaper to own than their gas-powered counterparts.

Fuel costs of popular EVs vs. gas cars

*Based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration July 2025 data
**Based on AAA gas prices as of October 6, 2025
***Premium gasoline

While EVs typically cost less to operate and maintain, they often come with a higher purchase price compared to similar gas vehicles. State rebates and incentives can help reduce this gap.

*Based on U.S. News MSRPs.

What about EV incentives?

The federal clean vehicle tax credit, which previously offered up to $7,500 off qualifying new EVs, expired on October 1, 2025 and is no longer available for new purchases.

But some states still offer their own EV incentives, which can help reduce costs. These vary by location and may include:

• Direct rebates at the time of purchase

• State tax credits

• Access to HOV lanes

• Reduced registration fees

• Utility company rebates or discounts

Even without the federal credit, combining state and local incentives can still make EV ownership more affordable. Some automakers have also adjusted EV prices to account for the expiration of the federal credit.

Beyond the cost savings, EVs offer several advantages over traditional gas-powered cars:

Benefits of EVs

Drawbacks of EVs

EVs aren't perfect for everyone. Here are a few things to consider:

Every time you plug in your EV instead of pulling up to a gas pump, you're making a choice that saves you money, reduces emissions, and gives you more control over your transportation costs.

The transition to electric driving is contributing to a future where your daily commute no longer depends on volatile global oil markets, where the air in your neighborhood is cleaner, and where your transportation dollars stay closer to home. With EV technology improving rapidly and charging infrastructure expanding, now is an excellent time to make the switch.