You don’t buy an electric car just for the novelty. You buy it because you want lower running costs, fewer gas-station stops, and a quieter life. But what’s the real electricity cost of an electric car in 2025, per mile, per month, and compared with gas? Let’s put real numbers to the marketing promises.
Key takeaway in one line
For a typical U.S. driver in 2025, the electricity cost of an electric car usually works out to about 4–9 cents per mile at home, often around half (or less) of the cost per mile of a comparable gas car, even with today’s higher power prices.
How Much Does It Cost to Power an Electric Car?
Let’s start with some 2025 basics. U.S. residential electricity prices have climbed in the last few years. Recent national averages put home electricity around 18–19 cents per kWh, with plenty of variation by state, Idaho and Washington closer to the low teens, California and the Northeast often well above 30 cents per kWh.
Quick EV Electricity Cost Snapshots (2025)
Those numbers should already tell you a story: what you pay per kilowatt-hour matters a lot, but even with higher electricity rates in 2025, most EV drivers still spend less per mile on energy than gas-car owners, especially if they charge mostly at home.
Electricity Cost of an Electric Car Per Mile
Cost per mile is the cleanest way to think about the electricity cost of an electric car. Fortunately, it’s easy math:
- Find your car’s efficiency in kWh/100 miles (on the window sticker or in the app).
- Divide that number by 100 to get kWh per mile.
- Multiply by your electricity price per kWh.
Rule of thumb
Most modern EVs use about 25–32 kWh per 100 miles. If your electricity is around 19¢/kWh, you’re looking at roughly 4.8–6.1 cents per mile at home.
Real-world per‑mile cost examples
Sample EV Electricity Cost per Mile (Home Charging)
Assuming 19¢/kWh residential electricity and mixed driving in mild weather.
| Vehicle type | Typical efficiency (kWh/100 mi) | kWh per mile | Cost per mile (19¢/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact EV hatchback | 25 | 0.25 | 4.8¢ |
| Mid-size crossover EV | 28 | 0.28 | 5.3¢ |
| Large SUV or pickup EV | 34 | 0.34 | 6.5¢ |
Your actual numbers will vary with speed, temperature, and driving style, but these examples are representative of many 2023–2025 EVs.
If you live in a state with cheaper power, say 13¢/kWh, those costs drop into the 3–4¢ per mile range. In a high-cost state at 30¢/kWh, you might see 7–10¢ per mile at home. You can use the same math for any model and any local rate.
Cold-weather reality check
In winter, especially below freezing, many EVs use 10–40% more energy, for cabin heat, battery conditioning, and snow. Your cost per mile climbs in cold months, but so does gasoline consumption in traditional cars.
What’s the Monthly Electricity Cost of an Electric Car?
Per‑mile figures are neat, but you budget by the month. Let’s translate the electricity cost of an electric car into a typical monthly bill.
Monthly EV Electricity Costs for Typical Drivers
For context, many gas-car drivers easily spend $120–$200+ per month on fuel alone, depending on mileage and MPG. That gap in running cost is a big part of why EVs can make sense, even if their sticker prices are higher, especially if you’re looking at a well‑priced used EV where the upfront cost is already lower.
Home Charging vs. Public Charging Costs
Where you plug in is just as important as what you drive. The electricity cost of an electric car can double, or more, if you rely heavily on public fast charging instead of home charging.
Home charging
- Price: Usually your standard residential rate (often 13–25¢/kWh, higher in a few states).
- Best use: Overnight charging for daily driving, this is where the big savings live.
- Pros: Lowest cost, most convenient, easy to schedule during off‑peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use plans.
- Cons: Requires a suitable outlet or Level 2 charger installation.
Public & DC fast charging
- Price: Commonly 30–55¢/kWh in 2025 on major fast‑charge networks; slower Level 2 public chargers are often cheaper or even free.
- Best use: Road trips and occasional top‑ups when you’re away from home.
- Pros: Speed and convenience, especially on long drives.
- Cons: Much higher cost per mile than home charging; pricing can vary widely by location and network.
Watch out for idle fees
Some fast‑charging networks add idle fees if you stay plugged in after your session completes. Those can add several dollars on top of your electricity cost if you walk away and forget the car.
How Electricity Rates Affect Your EV’s Running Costs
Electricity prices in the U.S. are having their own moment in 2025. National residential averages have climbed into the high‑teens cents per kWh, but what you pay depends heavily on your ZIP code.
Three Electricity-Price Worlds for EV Owners
Same EV, very different electricity cost per mile.
Low-cost power states
Think Idaho, Washington, parts of the Midwest and South.
- Residential rates often ~11–14¢/kWh.
- Mid-size EV at 28 kWh/100 mi → about 3–4¢/mile.
- Driving an EV here is almost like paying $1–$1.50 per gallon in fuel-equivalent terms.
Middle-of-the-pack states
Large chunks of the country live here.
- Typical rates ~15–22¢/kWh.
- Many drivers see 4–7¢/mile.
- Still clearly cheaper than a comparable gas car per mile.
High-cost power states
California and parts of New England, mainly.
- Commonly 28–40¢/kWh at home.
- EV cost can climb to 8–12¢/mile at home.
- Gas vs. EV savings shrink, but EVs can still be competitive, especially if you can tap off‑peak or workplace charging.
Know your local kWh price
Look at your utility bill and find the total cost divided by total kWh for a month, that’s your real per‑kWh rate, including taxes and fees. Use that number for more accurate EV cost estimates.
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A Simple Formula to Estimate Your EV Electricity Costs
You don’t need a spreadsheet. With one basic formula, you can estimate the electricity cost of any electric car in about 30 seconds.
The 30‑second EV cost formula
Monthly cost ≈ (Miles per month ÷ 100) × (EV kWh/100 mi) × (Electricity price per kWh)
Walk-through: Example calculation
1. Start with your miles
Say you drive <strong>1,000 miles per month</strong>.
2. Grab your EV’s efficiency
Your EV is rated at <strong>28 kWh per 100 miles</strong> (on the window sticker or in the app).
3. Plug in your electricity rate
Your all‑in residential rate is <strong>19¢/kWh</strong>.
4. Do the math
(1,000 ÷ 100) × 28 × $0.19 = 10 × 28 × $0.19 ≈ <strong>$53 per month</strong> in electricity.
Once you’ve done this for your situation, you can sanity‑check any EV you’re considering, new or used, and compare it directly with what you’re spending on gas today.
Charging on Road Trips: What to Budget
Daily commuting is mostly about home charging. Road trips are when the electricity cost of an electric car shifts to public fast chargers, where the price per kWh is higher but you’re buying time.
Sample Road Trip Charging Costs (Fast Charging)
Assuming 35 kWh/100 miles on highway, and 40–55¢/kWh at fast chargers.
| Trip length | Energy used (kWh) | Price per kWh | Charging cost | Approx. cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 miles weekend trip | 105 kWh | $0.40 | $42 | 14¢/mile |
| 600 miles round trip | 210 kWh | $0.45 | $95 | 15.8¢/mile |
| 1,000 miles long trip | 350 kWh | $0.50 | $175 | 17.5¢/mile |
These numbers are directional; always check live pricing in your charging app before you leave.
Blend home and fast charging
If you start and end a trip with a full battery from home, you can often cover 20–40% of your miles on cheap home electricity and the rest on public fast chargers, bringing your overall cost per mile down.
How EV Electricity Costs Compare to Gasoline
To really answer whether the electricity cost of an electric car is “worth it,” you have to put it up against gasoline. AAA’s 2025 data suggests average U.S. gas prices around $3.15 per gallon, give or take, depending on your region.
Typical gas car
- Average fuel economy: ~30 MPG for many modern compact and mid-size cars.
- Cost per mile: $3.15 ÷ 30 ≈ 10.5¢ per mile in fuel alone.
- Plus: Oil changes, exhaust system repairs, more frequent brake work, and other engine-related maintenance.
Typical electric car (home charging)
- Efficiency: ~28 kWh/100 miles.
- Electricity price: ~19¢/kWh.
- Cost per mile: (28 × $0.19) ÷ 100 ≈ 5.3¢ per mile.
- Plus: No oil changes, far fewer moving parts, less money spent on keeping the powertrain happy.
When gas can catch up
In states with very high electricity prices, and if you rely heavily on public fast charging, your cost per mile can approach or even match a thrifty gas car. The big win with EVs still comes when you can do most of your charging at home at a reasonable rate.
9 Ways to Lower Your EV Electricity Bill
You can’t control national energy markets, but you can absolutely influence what you pay to fuel your EV. Here’s how to bring the electricity cost of your electric car down without driving less.
Practical strategies to cut EV charging costs
1. Charge overnight when rates are lowest
If your utility offers time‑of‑use pricing, schedule charging for off‑peak hours. Many EVs and chargers let you set start and end times, so you’re always pulling the cheapest kWh.
2. Use workplace or free public Level 2 charging
Some employers, retailers, and public lots offer discounted or free charging. Even a few free sessions per month can offset your home electricity costs.
3. Avoid living on fast charging
DC fast charging is perfect for trips but expensive for daily life. Try to keep fast charging to occasional use; think of it like using premium gas only when you must.
4. Precondition while plugged in
Use your EV’s app to warm or cool the cabin while it’s still plugged in. That energy comes from the grid, not your battery, so you start trips more efficient and comfortable.
5. Keep your tires properly inflated
Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and energy use. A simple pressure check once a month can shave a few percent off your consumption.
6. Drive smoother, not slower
Hard acceleration and frequent high‑speed bursts burn electrons just like they burn gasoline. Smooth, anticipatory driving can noticeably lower kWh/100 miles without crawling in the right lane.
7. Use Eco or efficiency modes
Most EVs offer drive modes that temper throttle response and adjust climate control. They’re perfect for city driving or when you’re not in a rush.
8. Watch your HVAC habits
Seat and steering‑wheel heaters are efficient. Cranking the cabin heat on a frigid day is less so. Use targeted heating when you can to keep energy use in check.
9. Consider rooftop solar long term
If you own your home, pairing an EV with solar can dramatically reduce your lifetime fueling costs. Even a modest system that covers daytime charging can make a big dent in your bill over time.
Cost Questions to Ask When You’re Buying a Used EV
If you’re shopping used, understanding the electricity cost of an electric car is only half the equation. You also want to know how efficiently that specific vehicle will use each kWh over the years you own it.
Five electricity-cost questions for any used EV
These help you understand both efficiency and long‑term running costs.
1. What’s the current battery health?
Battery capacity and health influence how often you charge and how far you can go on each session. A detailed battery health report, like the Recharged Score that comes with every car on Recharged, helps you understand how much usable energy you’re really buying.
2. What’s the real-world efficiency?
Ask for the seller’s typical kWh/100 miles or miles/kWh from the trip computer. If they don’t know, take a long enough test drive to get a feel for it yourself.
3. How did the previous owner charge?
A car fast‑charged for every commute might show different battery wear than one mostly charged at Level 2 at home. It doesn’t mean you should walk away, but it’s useful context.
4. What will it cost to charge at my home?
Bring your own utility rate into the conversation. You can use the formula above to estimate monthly charging costs for any EV you’re considering.
5. What’s my all-in ownership cost?
Electricity is just one part of the puzzle. When you shop on Recharged, you’ll see transparent pricing, battery health diagnostics, and guidance to help you compare the total cost of owning different EVs, not just the sticker price.
How Recharged fits in
Every vehicle on Recharged includes a Recharged Score Report with verified battery health and fair market pricing. That makes it much easier to line up energy costs, battery condition, and price so you can feel confident about what your next EV will really cost to run.
Electricity Cost of an Electric Car: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About EV Electricity Costs
The Bottom Line on the Electricity Cost of an Electric Car
If you’ve felt lost in kilowatt‑hours and rate charts, here’s the simple version: for most Americans in 2025, the electricity cost of an electric car is roughly half the per‑mile energy cost of a similar gas car, as long as you can charge mainly at home at a reasonable kWh rate.
What changes the story is where you live, how you drive, and where you plug in. Cheap power, moderate speeds, and home charging tilt the math heavily in your favor. High electricity prices and constant fast‑charging nudge costs upward but rarely erase the EV advantage entirely.
If you’re thinking about a used EV, this is exactly where Recharged can help. Every car comes with a transparent battery health report, fair pricing, and expert support so you can understand not just what you’ll pay to buy the car, but what you’ll pay to keep it moving. Combine the simple cost formula from this guide with a specific vehicle on Recharged, and you’ll know exactly what that EV will cost you in electricity, before you ever plug it in.
