When people ask whether an electric vehicle really saves money, what they’re usually trying to decode is electric vehicle electricity cost. How much does it actually cost to power an EV with electrons instead of gasoline, per kWh, per mile, per month? Let’s break it down in plain English and real numbers.
Key takeaway up front
For most U.S. drivers in 2025, powering an EV at home works out to roughly $0.04–$0.07 per mile. Gas cars typically land around $0.12–$0.18 per mile, depending on fuel prices and MPG. Public fast charging can be closer to gas costs if you rely on it heavily.
How Much Does EV Electricity Cost in 2025?
Start with the two ingredients that set your basic EV electricity cost: what you pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity, and how efficiently your EV turns those kWh into miles.
The 2025 electricity and efficiency backdrop
Residential electricity prices in the U.S. averaged about 16.5 cents per kWh in 2024, with early 2025 data hovering in the mid‑teens. Some states sit near 11–12¢/kWh; others, like California and much of New England, are well over 25–30¢/kWh. That spread explains why your neighbor in Utah and your cousin in Hawaii have very different EV stories.
On the vehicle side, today’s EVs typically use between 24 and 32 kWh per 100 miles. Compact hatchbacks and efficiency champs sit at the low end; large SUVs and performance models run higher. You can find your exact number on the EPA window sticker or at fueleconomy.gov under “kWh/100 mi.”
Quick rule of thumb
To estimate your cost per mile, divide your electricity price (cents/kWh) by 100 and multiply by your EV’s kWh/100 miles. Example: 16¢ ÷ 100 × 28 kWh ≈ 4.5¢ per mile.
Cost Per Mile: Electric vs Gas, With Real Numbers
Let’s put real tires on this math. We’ll compare a typical EV to a typical gas car at different electricity and fuel prices so you can see where you land.
Cost per mile: EV vs gasoline under common scenarios
Assumes a typical EV using 28 kWh/100 miles and a gas car getting 30 MPG.
| Scenario | Electricity price | Gas price | EV cost per mile | Gas cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low‑cost power, moderate gas | 12¢/kWh | $3.00/gal | 3.4¢ | 10.0¢ |
| Average U.S. power, moderate gas | 16.5¢/kWh | $3.25/gal | 4.6¢ | 10.8¢ |
| High‑cost power, cheap gas | 30¢/kWh | $3.00/gal | 8.4¢ | 10.0¢ |
| High‑cost power, pricey gas | 30¢/kWh | $4.50/gal | 8.4¢ | 15.0¢ |
| Public fast charging (43¢/kWh), moderate gas | 43¢/kWh | $3.25/gal | 12.0¢ | 10.8¢ |
Your actual numbers will vary with your vehicle, driving style, and local prices, but the pattern is consistent: home‑charged EV miles are usually cheapest.
Watch that last row
If you rely heavily on public fast charging, your per‑mile cost can approach or exceed gas, especially in regions with expensive electricity. The big savings happen when most of your charging happens at home or at low‑cost workplace chargers.
Notice the pattern: even with today’s higher power prices, home‑charged EV miles usually beat gas by a comfortable margin. But if you’re in a high‑cost electricity state and buy almost all your energy from fast chargers, the financial gap narrows quickly.
How to Estimate Your Monthly EV Electricity Bill
Let’s turn per‑mile theory into the thing you actually pay: a monthly bill. You only need three pieces of information:
- How many miles you drive per month
- Your EV’s efficiency in kWh per 100 miles
- Your electricity rate in cents per kWh (check a recent bill)
4‑step method to estimate your EV electricity cost
1. Estimate your miles per month
Look at your current odometer logs or smartphone driving app. Many commuters are in the 800–1,200 miles‑per‑month range; retirees and remote workers may be lower.
2. Find your EV’s kWh per 100 miles
Check the EPA label, the owner’s manual, or fueleconomy.gov. Use that number rather than a guess; a 40 kWh/100 mi truck and a 24 kWh/100 mi hatchback produce very different bills.
3. Calculate your kWh usage
Multiply miles per month by kWh/100 miles, then divide by 100. Example: 1,000 miles × 28 kWh ÷ 100 = 280 kWh per month for driving.
4. Multiply by your kWh price
Take your per‑kWh rate from your electric bill. If it’s 17¢/kWh, 280 kWh × $0.17 ≈ <strong>$47.60 per month</strong> in EV electricity cost. That’s your ballpark number.
How it compares to a gas bill
That same 1,000 miles in a 30‑MPG gas car at $3.25/gal would use about 33 gallons per month, roughly $108. So in this example, the EV saves about $60 a month on energy alone.
Urban commuter
Scenario: 750 miles/month in a compact EV using 26 kWh/100 mi, paying 20¢/kWh.
- Energy used: 750 × 26 ÷ 100 = 195 kWh
- Bill impact: 195 × $0.20 ≈ $39
- Comparable gas (30 MPG, $3.50/gal): ≈ $87
Suburban family
Scenario: 1,200 miles/month in a midsize SUV using 30 kWh/100 mi, paying 15¢/kWh.
- Energy used: 1,200 × 30 ÷ 100 = 360 kWh
- Bill impact: 360 × $0.15 ≈ $54
- Comparable gas (25 MPG, $3.25/gal): ≈ $156
Home Charging vs Public Charging Costs
Not all kWh are priced the same. What you pay to charge at home can be dramatically different from what you pay at a DC fast charger on the highway.
Where you charge dramatically changes your electricity cost
Think of home charging as “wholesale” and fast charging as “convenience store pricing.”
Home charging
Typically the cheapest way to power an EV.
- Pays your local residential rate (often 12–22¢/kWh)
- Can use off‑peak time‑of‑use discounts
- Best if you can charge overnight most days
Workplace / destination Level 2
Often subsidized or priced modestly.
- Sometimes free for employees or customers
- Commonly in the 15–30¢/kWh range
- Great for topping up if you lack home charging
Public DC fast charging
The EV equivalent of buying gas at a premium station.
- Pricing commonly 35–60¢/kWh in the U.S.
- Per‑mile cost can rival gas
- Worth it for road trips and emergencies
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Don’t build your whole budget on fast charging
If you expect to rely on high‑priced DC fast chargers every week, your EV’s electricity cost may not undercut gasoline by much. Before you buy, be honest about where you’ll actually plug in.
What Makes Your EV Electricity Cost Go Up or Down?
Electricity prices are only part of the story. The same car in the same driveway can cost more or less to power depending on how and where you drive it.
6 big factors that influence your EV electricity cost
Some you control, some you don’t, but they all show up on the bill.
Climate & seasons
Cold weather thickens battery chemistry and increases heater use, driving up kWh/100 mi. Hot summers mean more A/C. Expect winter to show your highest kWh per mile.
Speed & driving style
EVs are most efficient under about 60 mph. High‑speed highway slogs and jackrabbit starts push your energy use up, just like in a gas car.
City vs highway mix
Unlike gas cars, EVs often get better efficiency in city traffic thanks to regenerative braking. If most of your miles are urban, your cost per mile may surprise you, in a good way.
Time‑of‑use rates
Many utilities offer cheaper electricity overnight. If you can schedule charging after 9–11 p.m., your effective cost per kWh could drop 30–50% compared with daytime rates.
Vehicle efficiency
Bigger, heavier, taller EVs need more energy. A sleek compact hatch might sit at 24 kWh/100 mi; a three‑row SUV or truck might be 40+ kWh/100 mi.
Battery health & tires
Worn tires, incorrect tire pressures, roof racks, and aging batteries can all nibble at efficiency. Keeping tires properly inflated and removing cargo you don’t need helps hold your energy use in check.
Watch your dash, not the brochure
Your EV’s real‑world kWh/100 mi readout is your best guide. Track it for a month before you try to fine‑tune your electricity budget.
7 Practical Ways to Cut Your EV Electricity Bill
You don’t have to drive like a hypermiling science experiment to keep costs low. Small habits and smarter charging can make a measurable difference.
Simple, driver‑friendly ways to pay less for EV electricity
1. Enroll in a time‑of‑use (TOU) rate
If your utility offers off‑peak pricing, EVs are ideal for it. Program your car or home charger to start after the off‑peak window opens, often late at night.
2. Use scheduled charging
Most EVs and many Level 2 chargers let you pick start and stop times. That helps you stay in the cheap hours and avoid accidentally charging during peak pricing.
3. Prefer Level 2 home charging over DC fast charging
Think of DC fast charging as a road‑trip tool, not your daily lifeline. The more of your energy that comes from your residential meter, the better your average cost per mile.
4. Keep your tires in shape
Underinflated or mismatched tires hurt efficiency. Check pressures monthly and follow your EV’s recommendations, especially going into winter or road‑trip season.
5. Precondition while plugged in
On very hot or cold days, pre‑heat or pre‑cool the cabin while the car is still on the charger. You’ll use grid power instead of pulling those extra kWh from the battery on the road.
6. Share the load with workplace charging
If your employer offers free or subsidized charging, that’s effectively a discount on your per‑mile cost. Just don’t rely on it so heavily that you’re stuck if it goes away.
7. Track your real‑world costs
Once a month, note your odometer, your charging kWh, and your bill. A simple spreadsheet or app can show exactly what you’re paying per mile and how tweaks change it.
Most EV drivers spend less than they feared
When you add up the numbers, many owners discover their monthly EV electricity cost is simply a bigger slice of the power bill replacing a much larger gasoline bill. That trade is what keeps total energy spend in check.
Electricity Costs and Shopping for a Used EV
If you’re shopping the used market, electricity cost should sit right next to price, range, and condition on your checklist. Even among similar‑looking EVs, efficiency can vary enough to move your monthly spend.
- Compact hatchbacks and sedans (Leaf, Bolt, Model 3, Kia Niro EV) are generally the cheapest on electricity.
- Big SUVs and pickups (R1T, F‑150 Lightning, Hummer EV) burn more kWh per mile, especially at highway speeds.
- Older EVs may have more battery degradation, which can reduce usable range and slightly increase kWh per mile.
How Recharged helps you see the full picture
Every vehicle on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery health and market‑based pricing. That makes it easier to connect efficiency, projected electricity costs, and long‑term value, before you ever click “buy.”
Questions to ask when comparing used EVs
- What is its EPA kWh/100 miles rating?
- How much range has the battery lost compared with new?
- Will this be mostly a commuter car or a road‑trip workhorse?
- Can I charge at home or at work regularly?
How Recharged fits in
Because Recharged focuses exclusively on EVs and plug‑ins, our specialists can help you translate battery health and efficiency numbers into real monthly costs. We can also walk you through financing, trade‑in, and nationwide delivery so the budgeting math stays simple end‑to‑end.
FAQ: Electric Vehicle Electricity Cost
Frequently asked questions about EV electricity costs
The Bottom Line on EV Electricity Cost
When you cut through the noise, electric vehicle electricity cost comes down to three things: the price you pay per kWh, how efficient your EV is, and where you plug in most of the time. For many U.S. households in 2025, that adds up to a monthly electricity bump of maybe $40–$60 and a much larger drop at the gas pump.
If you’re exploring a used EV, those numbers matter just as much as sticker price. That’s exactly why Recharged builds battery health, fair‑market pricing, and EV‑specific guidance into every purchase. When you’re ready, you can browse vehicles online, get a trade‑in or instant offer, line up financing, and have your EV delivered, knowing the electricity math has already been demystified.
