EV Charging Cost by State 2026: Compare Rates in All 50 States
See home electricity rates and DC fast charging prices in every US state. Find where charging is cheapest (WA, OK) and most expensive (CA, HI, MA).
Author: Laura Bennett
Reviewed: Marina Costa
Most EV charging cost calculators use the national average of $0.16/kWh. That number is useless because your actual rate depends on your state, your utility, your time-of-use plan, and whether you charge at home or at a DC fast charger. In Hawaii, you pay $0.42/kWh. In Washington, you pay $0.10/kWh. That is a 4x difference. This guide gives you a state-by-state breakdown, a simple formula to calculate your exact cost per mile, and a calculator you can use with your own utility bill. No averages. No guessing. Just your real number.
- The difference between the cheapest state (Washington, $0.10/kWh) and the most expensive (Hawaii, $0.42/kWh) is $1,920 per year for a driver covering 15,000 miles.
- Time-of-use rates can cut your home charging cost in half – but only if you charge between midnight and 6 AM. Many utilities offer $0.07-0.09/kWh overnight.
- DC fast charging costs 3-5x more than home charging. Relying on public chargers for 50% of your energy wipes out all fuel savings compared to a hybrid.
- Charger loss (10-15%) adds hidden cost. That $0.16/kWh becomes $0.18/kWh after accounting for heat loss.
- Your effective cost per mile = (electricity rate × 1.12) ÷ (your EV's mi/kWh). A Tesla Model 3 at $0.14/kWh = $0.045/mile. A gas car at $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG = $0.117/mile.
Why Most EV Charging Cost Calculators Are Wrong
I have tested every EV charging cost calculator on the first page of Google. Almost all of them make the same three mistakes.
Mistake #1: They use the national average electricity rate.
The US average is $0.16 per kWh. But you do not pay the average. You pay your utility’s rate. And that varies wildly.
| State | Average residential rate (¢/kWh) | Cost to charge 75 kWh (full charge for a Long Range EV) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 10.1¢ | $7.58 |
| Idaho | 10.3¢ | $7.73 |
| Utah | 10.8¢ | $8.10 |
| Louisiana | 11.0¢ | $8.25 |
| North Dakota | 11.2¢ | $8.40 |
| … | … | … |
| California | 23.1¢ | $17.33 |
| Massachusetts | 24.5¢ | $18.38 |
| Connecticut | 25.6¢ | $19.20 |
| Rhode Island | 26.8¢ | $20.10 |
| Hawaii | 42.5¢ | $31.88 |
The real-world impact: A driver in Washington charging at home pays $7.58 for a full charge. A driver in Hawaii pays $31.88 – over four times more. Any calculator that uses $0.16/kWh is lying to one of you.
Mistake #2: They ignore time-of-use (TOU) rates.
Most utilities do not charge a flat rate. They charge less at night when demand is low and more during the day when everyone is running their air conditioners.
Example: Southern California Edison’s TOU-D-PRIME plan for EV owners:
- Off-peak (9 PM – 4 PM next day): $0.09/kWh
- Peak (4 PM – 9 PM): $0.22/kWh
If you charge during peak hours, you pay 2.4x more for the exact same electricity. If you schedule your car to charge at 10 PM, you cut your cost by more than half.
Mistake #3: They forget charger loss.
When you plug in, 10-15% of the electricity never reaches your battery. It turns into heat. A calculator that does not add 12% to your cost is giving you an artificially low number.
The correct formula:
Cost per mile = (Electricity rate × Charger loss multiplier) ÷ (Your EV's real-world mi/kWh)
Where:
- Charger loss multiplier = 1.12 (for Level 2 home charging)
- Your EV’s mi/kWh = reset your trip odometer, drive 1,000 miles, divide miles by kWh used (not the window sticker number)
Example with real numbers (Tesla Model 3, home charging in Texas at $0.12/kWh):
- Electricity rate: $0.12
- Charger loss: ×1.12 = $0.134 effective
- Real-world efficiency: 3.8 mi/kWh (mixed driving)
- Cost per mile = $0.134 ÷ 3.8 = $0.035 per mile
A gas car at 30 MPG and $3.00/gallon costs $0.10 per mile. The EV is 65% cheaper.
State-by-State Charging Cost Comparison (2025 Data)
I collected residential electricity rates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) for Q1 2025. Then I added the 12% charger loss and assumed a 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency (average for a crossover EV like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Ford Mustang Mach-E).
Top 5 cheapest states for home EV charging (cost per 100 miles):
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Effective with loss (¢) | Cost per 100 miles (3.5 mi/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 10.1¢ | 11.3¢ | $3.23 |
| Idaho | 10.3¢ | 11.5¢ | $3.29 |
| Utah | 10.8¢ | 12.1¢ | $3.46 |
| Louisiana | 11.0¢ | 12.3¢ | $3.51 |
| North Dakota | 11.2¢ | 12.5¢ | $3.57 |
Bottom 5 most expensive states (excluding Hawaii as outlier):
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Effective with loss (¢) | Cost per 100 miles (3.5 mi/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 23.1¢ | 25.9¢ | $7.40 |
| Massachusetts | 24.5¢ | 27.4¢ | $7.83 |
| Connecticut | 25.6¢ | 28.7¢ | $8.20 |
| Rhode Island | 26.8¢ | 30.0¢ | $8.57 |
| Hawaii | 42.5¢ | 47.6¢ | $13.60 |
What this means for you: A driver in Washington covering 15,000 miles per year pays $485 for home charging. A driver in Hawaii pays $2,040 for the same miles – over four times more. But both are still cheaper than gasoline. A 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon costs $1,750 per 15,000 miles. Even Hawaii’s expensive electricity beats gasoline by $200-300 per year.
The Real Killer: Public DC Fast Charging Costs
Home charging is cheap. Public DC fast charging is not.
I analyzed pricing from the three largest DC fast charging networks in the US (as of April 2025):
Tesla Supercharger:
- Member rate (Tesla owners): $0.28-0.42/kWh depending on location and time
- Non-Tesla rate (using Magic Dock or adapter): $0.42-0.58/kWh
- Off-peak discount: Many locations offer $0.15-0.20/kWh from midnight to 6 AM
Electrify America:
- Pass+ membership: $7/month, then $0.36/kWh
- Non-member: $0.48/kWh + $1 session fee
- Some state-specific rates (California is higher)
EVgo:
- Pay-as-you-go: $0.39/kWh + $0.99 session fee
- EVgo Plus: $6.99/month, then $0.29/kWh, no session fee
Real cost per mile comparison (assuming 3.5 mi/kWh):
| Charging method | Effective rate | Cost per mile | Annual cost (15k miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home off-peak (WA, $0.10) | $0.11/kWh | $0.031 | $465 |
| Home off-peak (CA, $0.09 TOU) | $0.10/kWh | $0.029 | $435 |
| Home peak (CA, $0.22) | $0.25/kWh | $0.071 | $1,065 |
| Public Level 2 (average) | $0.25/kWh | $0.071 | $1,065 |
| Tesla Supercharger (member, off-peak) | $0.22/kWh | $0.063 | $945 |
| Tesla Supercharger (member, peak) | $0.35/kWh | $0.100 | $1,500 |
| Electrify America (non-member) | $0.48/kWh + session | $0.140 | $2,100+ |
| Gas car (30 MPG, $3.50/gal) | N/A | $0.117 | $1,755 |
| Hybrid (50 MPG, $3.50/gal) | N/A | $0.070 | $1,050 |
The takeaway: If you charge at home off-peak, you beat gas by a huge margin. If you rely on Electrify America without a membership, you pay more than a gas car. If you use a Tesla Supercharger at peak times, you pay almost as much as gas.
This is why the “charging mix” question is so critical. Someone who DC fast charges for 50% of their energy is not saving money. Someone who charges at home for 90% of their energy is saving thousands.
How to Find Your Utility’s Hidden Off-Peak EV Rate
Here is something the utilities do not advertise loudly: many have special EV rates that are dramatically cheaper than their standard residential rate – but you have to ask for them.
Steps to unlock cheap overnight charging:
- Google
[your utility name] EV rateor[utility name] time-of-use - Look for terms like: “EV-TOU,” “residential EV charging,” “off-peak EV plan”
- Compare: The off-peak rate (usually midnight to 6 AM) vs your standard rate
Real examples of hidden EV rates:
| Utility | Standard rate | EV off-peak rate | Window | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG&E (CA) | $0.28/kWh | $0.09/kWh | 9 PM - 4 PM next day | Separate meter (costs $500-800 to install) |
| SCE (CA) | $0.25/kWh | $0.09/kWh | 9 PM - 4 PM | Any EV owner |
| Duke Energy (NC) | $0.12/kWh | $0.06/kWh | Midnight - 6 AM | Must enroll online |
| Xcel Energy (CO) | $0.13/kWh | $0.07/kWh | 9 PM - 5 AM | Requires smart charger |
| Georgia Power | $0.12/kWh | $0.01/kWh | 11 PM - 7 AM | Plug-in EV only (not battery EV?) – check fine print |
That last one is not a typo. Georgia Power offers 1¢ per kWh overnight for plug-in hybrid owners. Yes, one cent. A full charge costs $0.75.
What to watch for: Some EV rates come with a higher peak rate during the day. If you work from home and run your AC all afternoon, the EV rate might cost you more overall. Calculate your total bill before switching.
The Simple EV Charging Cost Calculator (Use Your Own Numbers)
Enough averages. Here is the formula to calculate your exact cost.
Step 1: Find your real electricity rate. Look at your latest utility bill. Divide the total amount due by the total kWh used. This includes delivery fees, taxes, and all charges – not just the supply rate.
Step 2: Multiply by 1.12 to account for Level 2 charger loss. (If you use Level 1, use 1.18.)
Step 3: Find your car’s real-world efficiency. Reset your trip odometer. Drive 1,000 miles (or a full month). Divide the miles driven by the kWh used (shown on your car’s trip screen or in the app). Example: 1,000 miles ÷ 285 kWh = 3.51 mi/kWh.
Step 4: Divide. Effective rate ÷ mi/kWh = cost per mile.
Example with my actual numbers (Pacific Northwest, 2021 Tesla Model 3):
- Utility bill: $112.43 for 987 kWh = $0.114/kWh
- With 12% loss: $0.128/kWh
- Car efficiency (last 3,000 miles): 4.1 mi/kWh
- Cost per mile: $0.128 ÷ 4.1 = $0.0312 per mile
Annual cost for 12,000 miles: $374.40
Compare to gas: 30 MPG at $3.50/gal = $1,400 per year. The EV saves $1,025 per year.
When EV Charging Is NOT Cheaper Than Gas
I want to be honest with you. There are scenarios where an EV costs more to fuel than a gas car.
Scenario 1: You only use DC fast charging. At Electrify America’s non-member rate of $0.48/kWh, a 3.5 mi/kWh EV costs $0.137 per mile. A 40 MPG hybrid at $3.50/gal costs $0.0875 per mile. The hybrid is 36% cheaper per mile.
Scenario 2: You live in Hawaii and charge at home. $0.425/kWh × 1.12 loss = $0.476/kWh effective. At 3.5 mi/kWh = $0.136 per mile. A 30 MPG gas car at Hawaii’s $4.50/gal = $0.15 per mile. The EV saves only $0.014 per mile – about $170 per year. Payback on a $5,000 EV premium would take 29 years.
Scenario 3: You charge during peak hours without a TOU plan. In California, peak rates can hit $0.35-0.45/kWh. At $0.40/kWh, a 3.5 mi/kWh EV costs $0.114 per mile – almost identical to a 30 MPG gas car at $3.50/gal ($0.117/mile). No savings.
The common thread: Home charging + off-peak rates = savings. Any other combination = little or no savings.
Final Verdict: Will You Save Money?
Add up these three numbers:
- Your annual fuel savings: (Gas cost per mile – EV cost per mile) × your annual miles
- Your maintenance savings: EVs save about $0.04-0.06 per mile (no oil changes, fewer brake jobs)
- Your insurance increase: EVs cost 15-25% more to insure – subtract $200-600/year
Example (15,000 miles/year, home charging in Texas at $0.12/kWh, 30 MPG gas car at $3.00/gal):
- Fuel savings: ($0.100 gas - $0.040 EV) × 15,000 = $900 saved
- Maintenance savings: $0.05 × 15,000 = $750 saved
- Insurance increase: -$300
- Total annual savings: $1,350
Over 5 years, that is $6,750. Enough to cover the EV price premium and then some.
But if you cannot charge at home: The math flips. Use the calculator above with your actual charging mix. If DC fast charging is more than 25% of your energy, an EV probably costs more than a hybrid. Be honest with yourself.
Now go check your utility’s website for that off-peak EV rate. That 10-minute phone call is the highest-paying “job” you will do this year.
Operational checklist before you commit
- Find your latest utility bill and locate your total cost per kWh (including delivery fees, not just supply).
- Call your utility or check their website for 'time-of-use' or 'EV' rates – many have hidden plans under $0.10/kWh overnight.
- Calculate your car's real-world efficiency in mi/kWh (not the window sticker). Reset your trip odometer for 1,000 miles and divide miles by kWh used.
- Estimate your charging mix: what percentage of your annual miles will be charged at home vs public Level 2 vs DC fast?
- Use the formula below to get your cost per mile. Then compare to gasoline at today's local price.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to fill a gas tank in my state?
In every single US state, yes – if you charge at home. The gap is smallest in Hawaii (EV: $0.12/mile vs gas: $0.15/mile) and largest in Washington (EV: $0.03/mile vs gas: $0.11/mile). If you rely on DC fast charging exclusively, EVs are more expensive than gas in 30+ states. Home charging is the key.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at a Tesla Supercharger vs Electrify America?
Tesla Superchargers average $0.28-0.42/kWh depending on location and time of day (off-peak is cheaper). Electrify America is $0.48/kWh for non-members, $0.36/kWh for Pass+ members ($7/month). For a 75 kWh charge (10-80% on a Long Range EV), Tesla costs $21-31, Electrify America costs $36 ($27 with membership). The cheapest is still home charging at $6-12 for the same energy.
Final takeaways
The single most important decision for EV charging economics is: can you charge at home? If yes, you will pay $0.03-0.07 per mile – about one-third the cost of gasoline. If no, and you rely on DC fast charging, you will pay $0.12-0.20 per mile – often more than a efficient hybrid. Use the calculator above with your actual utility rate and charging mix. And call your utility today to ask about off-peak EV rates. That 5-minute phone call can save you $500 per year.