Is it cheaper to charge an electric car than to fill a gasoline tank? For most drivers in the U.S. in 2025, the answer is yes, often dramatically yes, but the truth lives in the details: your electricity rate, whether you charge at home or in public, how efficient your EV is, and what you drive today. Let’s run the numbers like an accountant who secretly loves road trips.
The 10‑second answer
Is it cheaper to charge an electric car than buy gas?
Big-picture EV vs gas cost snapshot (typical U.S. driver)
Those numbers aren’t a promise; they’re a weather report. In some states with cheap electricity and expensive gasoline, EVs are almost comically cheap to run. In others with high electricity prices and low gas prices, the advantage shrinks. But the pattern is clear: home charging is usually cheaper than gas, and public DC fast charging is the wild card that can push costs back toward parity.
Quick mental rule
What actually drives the cost to charge an EV?
Four levers that determine EV charging cost
Change these, and your cost-per-mile moves with them.
1. Electricity price (¢/kWh)
This is the headline number on your electric bill. In 2025, many U.S. households pay somewhere around 15–25¢ per kWh, but some coastal metros pay more.
The lower your rate, especially at night, the cheaper each kWh of charge becomes.
2. Your EV’s efficiency (kWh/100 mi)
Think of this as the EV version of mpg. A very efficient compact EV might use ~25 kWh/100 miles; a heavy SUV might be closer to 35–40.
Lower kWh/100 mi = fewer kWh to buy = lower cost per mile.
3. Where you charge
Home Level 2 is usually the cheapest, especially with off-peak rates. Workplace charging is often subsidized. DC fast charging on road trips is convenient but pricier per kWh.
4. When you charge
More utilities are shifting to time-of-use pricing: electricity is cheaper at night and more expensive at peak times.
Schedule your charging, and you turn time into money.
Don’t compare just the pump to the plug
How much does it cost to charge at home?
Let’s start on home turf, because home charging is where EVs really earn their keep. We’ll use simple, round numbers so you can quickly plug in your own situation.
- Assume an average U.S. residential electricity rate of 18¢/kWh.
- Assume your EV uses 30 kWh per 100 miles (a typical compact–midsize EV).
- Assume you drive 1,000 miles per month.
At 30 kWh/100 miles, 1,000 miles uses 300 kWh. At 18¢/kWh, that’s $54 per month in “fuel.” The same 1,000 miles in a 30 mpg gasoline car, at $3.75/gal, burns ~33 gallons, or about $124 per month.
Home charging cost formula
Level 1 (120V wall outlet)
Charging from a normal household outlet uses the same electricity rate; it’s just slow. You might only add 3–4 miles of range per hour, but if you drive modest miles and can plug in every night, it can work.
The cost per kWh is the same as any other home use, the limitation is time, not money.
Level 2 (240V home charger)
Level 2 is what most EV owners eventually install. You’ll typically see 25–40 miles of range per hour of charging.
Again, the price per kWh doesn’t change; you’re just buying those kWh faster and more conveniently.
Hunt for off‑peak EV rates
What does public EV charging cost in 2025?
Public charging is where the story gets more nuanced. You’re not just paying for electricity; you’re paying for hardware, land, maintenance, and speed. Broadly, there are three flavors:
- Level 2 public charging (shopping centers, parking garages, hotels).
- DC fast charging (50–150 kW or more) on highways and in cities.
- Destination fast charging at higher power along major corridors.
Pricing structures vary, some charge per kWh, some per minute, some a blend. But for cost comparisons, it’s fair to say that public Level 2 is often closer to home rates, while DC fast charging can cost 2–3x your home rate per kWh.
Frequent DC fast charging narrows the gap
Real-world cost-per-mile examples
Let’s put some flesh on the bones with a few simplified examples. These aren’t promises, just realistic sketches to show how the math behaves. We’ll assume $3.75/gallon gas and a mix of EVs and gas cars you’d plausibly cross‑shop.
Illustrative cost-per-mile comparison
Assumes $3.75/gal gasoline and 18¢/kWh home electricity; public fast charging example assumes about 45¢/kWh.
| Vehicle | Energy source | Efficiency | Approx. cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact gasoline sedan | Gas | 32 mpg | ≈ 11.7¢ |
| Midsize crossover (gas) | Gas | 26 mpg | ≈ 14.4¢ |
| Efficient compact EV | Home charging | 26 kWh/100 mi | ≈ 4.7¢ |
| Midsize EV crossover | Home charging | 30 kWh/100 mi | ≈ 5.4¢ |
| Midsize EV crossover | Mostly DC fast charging | 30 kWh/100 mi | ≈ 13.5¢ |
Cost per mile is where EVs usually shine, especially when home charging is in the picture.
What this table quietly says
And that’s before you factor in the quieter cabin, instant torque, or the fact that you’re no longer budgeting for oil changes and mufflers. The fuel column is just the beginning of the EV story.
Why used EVs make the math even better
New or used, an EV’s electrons don’t care. But your bank account does. Where things get interesting is when you match lower running costs with a lower purchase price, which is where used EVs and Recharged come in.
How a used EV amplifies charging savings
Energy is just one line item in the budget.
Lower monthly payment
Buying a used EV generally means a smaller loan or lease payment than a new one. Combine that with lower fuel costs and you’ve reshaped your monthly cash flow.
Known battery health
With Recharged, every vehicle comes with a Recharged Score battery health report, so you’re not guessing about range or degradation. That transparency is key to understanding your real‑world cost per mile.
Lower maintenance spend
EVs skip oil changes, timing belts, and exhaust systems. Over a few years, those avoided line items add up, especially if you drive a lot.
How Recharged helps you run the numbers
7 ways to make EV charging even cheaper
Practical steps to cut your charging bill
1. Sign up for an EV‑friendly utility plan
Ask your utility about EV or time‑of‑use rates. If you can shift most charging to off‑peak hours, your effective cost per kWh can drop sharply.
2. Install (or negotiate) home Level 2 charging
If you own your home, a Level 2 charger is often worth the upfront cost. If you rent, ask your landlord about adding an EV space; some utilities and cities offer incentives that make the pitch easier.
3. Let the car charge itself while you sleep
Use your vehicle’s built‑in scheduling or your charger’s app to start charging late at night. You don’t get frequent‑flyer miles for hovering over the charging screen at 7 p.m.
4. Favor home and workplace charging over DC fast
Think of DC fast charging like airport food, great in a pinch, bad as a lifestyle. Plan your week so most miles come from cheaper home or workplace electrons.
5. Precondition while plugged in
In cold or hot weather, pre‑heat or pre‑cool the cabin while the car is still plugged in. That way, more of your battery is used to move the car, not just condition the cabin.
6. Mind your speed on the highway
Above about 70 mph, aerodynamic drag shoots up and efficiency falls. Even a small drop in cruising speed can extend range and cut cost per mile, especially in boxy SUVs.
7. Choose the right EV for your needs
Bigger, heavier EVs use more energy. If you don’t actually need a three‑row SUV, a smaller, more efficient EV will quietly save you money every single mile.
Stack your savings
When is charging an electric car not cheaper?
Any honest answer to “is it cheaper to charge an electric car?” has to admit there are edge cases, situations where the numbers are closer, or even tilt back toward gasoline or a hybrid.
- You pay very high residential electricity rates (for example, well north of 30¢/kWh) and don’t have access to special EV or off‑peak plans.
- You can’t charge at home and rely almost entirely on DC fast charging at premium rates.
- You compare an EV to a very efficient hybrid that gets 45–55 mpg and do relatively low annual mileage.
- You frequently tow heavy trailers or drive at very high speeds, where some EVs’ efficiency can suffer.
If you’re 100% DC fast‑charging, think carefully
This is where a conversation with an EV‑savvy specialist helps. At Recharged, the goal isn’t to sell you an EV regardless of fit; it’s to help you decide whether a particular used EV, in your particular life, is a financial upgrade or just a lifestyle change.
FAQ: Common questions about EV charging costs
Frequently asked questions about EV charging costs
Bottom line: Is charging an electric car cheaper?
For most American drivers who can plug in at home, yes, charging an electric car is cheaper than buying gas, often by a surprisingly wide margin. The more miles you drive, and the more you lean on off‑peak home or workplace charging instead of public fast charging, the more the math tilts in your favor.
Where EVs get truly compelling is when you pair that lower fuel cost with a well‑priced used EV whose battery health and history you can trust. That’s the gap Recharged exists to fill: verified battery diagnostics, transparent pricing, financing, trade‑in options, and expert guidance that helps you choose the car, and the charging plan, that actually makes your life cheaper and easier, not just different.
If you’re EV‑curious, start by running your own numbers. Then, when you’re ready, explore used EVs on Recharged and see how far your current fuel budget could really take you.
