How EV home charging vs. public charging affects your wallet

Your electric bill might not seem like the first place to look for transportation savings, but if you drive an electric vehicle (EV), that’s exactly where you’ll find them.

Charging an EV instead of relying on gas stations can save you hundreds of dollars a year on fuel costs—or cost about the same as filling up a gas tank. It all depends on where and when you plug in. On average, home charging costs about 17 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while public stations average around 37 cents per kWh.

Home charging is easiest for those with a garage or driveway where they can install a charger. However, if you live in an apartment or rely on street parking, public charging may be your go-to option. Here’s how the costs compare, what it takes to charge at home, and how to save the most wherever you plug in.

Charging your EV at home is easily the most economical option. The average residential electricity rate sits around 17 cents per kWh as of July 2025, compared to about 37 cents per kWh for public charging as of October 15, 2025. 

That price difference adds up fast. On a per-mile basis, home charging costs roughly 6 cents per mile, while public charging averages 13 cents per mile. For the typical EV driver logging 12,200 miles per year, that’s around $732 annually—just $61 a month to keep your car charged and ready to go. Using public stations for the same distance would push that to about $132 per month, which is roughly equivalent to fueling a gas-powered car.

What it really costs to install a home EV charger

Charging at home is the most affordable way to power your EV, but before you can plug in, you’ll need to invest in the right equipment.

Most EVs include a Level 1 charger, which plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet. These don’t require professional installation, but they’re very slow, adding just a few miles of range per hour.

To fully recharge overnight, many EV owners upgrade to a Level 2 charger, which adds 20 to 30 miles of range per hour. A Level 2 charger needs a 240-volt circuit—the same type of outlet used for a clothes dryer—and usually requires a licensed electrician for installation.

Installation costs typically range from about $700 to over $3,000, depending on the extent of electrical work required for your home. While that can seem like a steep upfront cost, many states, utilities, and municipalities offer rebates or incentives that can reduce the total by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Public charging makes it easy to top off your battery on road trips or when you don’t have access to home charging. Across the U.S., there are nearly 77,000 EV charging stations, including about 64,700 Level 2 stations and 13,800 DC fast chargers (also known as Level 3).

But that on-the-go convenience adds up. As previously mentioned, the average cost to charge publicly is around 37 cents per kWh. For a driver covering 12,200 miles per year, relying solely on public charging would cost nearly $1,600 annually—roughly $850 more than charging at home.

Exact pricing can vary by location and change over time, so it’s smart to check your station’s current rate using apps like ChargePoint, PlugShare, or your EV manufacturer’s app. Many networks also tack on extra fees—such as idle fees if your car stays plugged in after charging is complete or session fees for simply connecting.

Level 2 public charging: Slower speeds, better public prices

If you’re not in a rush, Level 2 public chargers are the most budget-friendly way to power up on the go. They typically cost less than 30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is noticeably cheaper than DC fast charging.

Since Level 2 chargers can take several hours to fully charge a battery, you’ll often find these stations in places where you’d naturally spend a few hours, like hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and parking garages. Some businesses even offer free Level 2 charging as a perk to attract customers.

Here's a sampling of Level 2 charging costs in major cities:

Rates as of October 15, 2025, via ChargePoint.

DC fast charging: Quick top-offs at a premium

DC fast chargers can fully charge an EV battery in about 20 minutes, but their rates rival gas prices. While convenient, the financial savings of driving electric drop sharply if you rely on DC fast charging for most of your miles.

These stations are typically located along highways and in high-traffic areas, making them ideal for road trips or quick stops when you’re in a pinch. The combination of higher costs and potential battery wear from frequent fast charging makes them better suited for occasional use rather than daily charging.

Here's what DC fast charging costs in major cities:

Rates as of October 15, 2025, via ChargePoint.

Prioritizing home charging makes sense for the majority of EV owners. The convenience of waking up to a fully charged vehicle, combined with costs that are half (or less) of public charging, makes home charging the clear winner for daily use.

That said, public charging infrastructure plays an important role. It extends your range for longer trips, provides backup when you can't charge at home, and makes EV ownership feasible even if you don't have a garage or driveway.