How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

You're walking past a gas station, watching the numbers spin on the pump as someone fills up their tank. Meanwhile, your EV is plugged in at home, quietly charging for about the cost of a fancy coffee. That's the reality for most electric car drivers—and it's one of the biggest financial perks of going electric.

If you drive a sedan, you'll save about $800 a year by switching to an electric vehicle. You can expect to pay around $0.05 per mile to charge an EV compared to $0.11 per mile for a gas-powered car—less than half the price.

The exact cost to charge your EV depends on your location, charging source, and vehicle, but one thing is clear: Charging an EV at home is the most affordable option, often two times cheaper than public charging. And if you pair your EV with solar panels, you could effectively charge your car for free.

There are two important numbers you’ll need to calculate your EV charging costs: how much electricity your EV battery needs, and how much electricity costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh) where you’re charging. The easiest way to do this is when charging at home is to use your utility’s electric rate and your EV’s battery capacity.

Charging cost ($) = electric vehicle battery size (kWh) x electricity rate ($ per kWh)

Keep in mind that the amount of energy required to charge your EV exceeds its battery’s size, as some energy is lost during the charging process. Costs will also vary depending on the type of charger used, your location, the time and location of charging, and other factors. 

Let’s break down the home charging costs of popular EV models of various sizes using the average residential electricity cost in the U.S. (17.47 cents) based on data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and recharge event energy data filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

How much does it cost to charge a Nissan Leaf?

How much does it cost to charge a Hyundai Ioniq 6?

How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model Y?

How much does it cost to charge a Ford Mustang Mach-E?

How much does it cost to charge an Audi e-tron ?

How much does it cost to charge a Ford F-150 Lightning?

*Most refueling costs assume battery charge from 0% to 100%, though most drivers keep their charge between 20%-80%.

Switching to an EV can put an extra $800–$1,000 back in your pocket every year. According to Kelly Blue Book, the average American drives approximately 12,200 miles annually, which translates to about $600-$1,000 for EV drivers who charge at home and $1,100-$2,000 for those who fill up at the gas pump.

With gas hovering around $3.13 for regular and $3.98 for premium as of October 6, 2025, every trip adds up fast.

Compact hatchback fueling costs

Compact sedan fueling costs

Mid-size SUV fueling costs

Luxury mid-size SUV fueling costs

Pickup truck fueling costs

*Based on AAA gas prices as of October 6, 2025. Gas cars based on MPG listed on fueleconomy.gov.
**Assumes 12,200 annual miles.

Charging at home is where EV drivers see the biggest savings. On average, it costs about 5 cents per mile, or about $15.26 to fully recharge a classic EV sedan, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 long range AWD. With most drivers covering 12,200 miles a year, that’s only $589 annually—even less if you take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.

Public charging, while convenient on the go, can cost over twice as much. The same car costs about $1,234 to charge publicly over a year—about $645 more than charging at home.

*Hyundai Ioniq 6 long range AWD (18" wheels).
**Based on AAA public EV charging prices as of October 6, 2025. Includes level 1, level 2, and level 3/DC fast charging.

"If you use public DC fast charging infrastructure, the cost is very comparable to gasoline,” said Tom Moloughney, host of the YouTube show State of Charge. “So I urge people to charge whenever they can at home."

Costs also vary by location, charging network, and local energy rates. While some communities and businesses offer free charging, those stations can be crowded or unreliable. To maximize your savings, charge at home whenever possible and reserve public charging for road trips and long drives.

Whether you’re driving an EV and charging at home or in public, or driving a gas-powered car, prices vary by state. Across the board, it’s cheaper to charge at home than to fuel up with gas. But there are some states where fueling up with gas is cheaper than exclusively charging in public, which is why home charging is so important.

*Hyundai Ioniq 6 long range AWD (18" wheels)/Hyundai Sonata AWD.
**Based on AAA public EV charging prices as of October 6, 2025.
***Based on AAA gas prices as of October 6, 2025.

If you've been on the fence about going electric, the numbers tell a compelling story. Most EV drivers save hundreds of dollars each year on fuel costs. If you charge at home, those savings add up even faster. While public charging has its place for longer trips, your garage or driveway is where the real value lies.

And if you really want to maximize your savings, consider pairing your EV with solar panels. You'll generate your own clean electricity to power your car, which means even lower (or eliminated) fuel costs and a smaller carbon footprint. It's the ultimate one-two punch for your wallet and the planet.