Home charging is where most EV owners do the bulk of their charging, and it’s the cheapest place to do it. The cost comes down to your car’s efficiency and your electricity rate.
Estimate. Efficiency is the ~34.6 kWh/100 mi average across hundreds of EVs (EPA values via fueleconomy.gov, include charging losses). Rate is the US average 18.56¢/kWh (EIA, March 2026).
Cost per mile and per year
At 34.6 kWh per 100 miles, every mile uses about 0.346 kWh:
| Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost per mile | 12,000 miles/year |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota (11.95¢) | ~4.1¢ | ~$496 |
| US average (18.56¢) | ~6.4¢ | ~$770 |
| California (33.35¢) | ~11.5¢ | ~$1,385 |
(At the US average, 12,000 miles ≈ 4,152 kWh ≈ ~$770/year.)
Cost of a full charge
A full charge depends on battery size. Roughly:
| Battery | kWh to fill | Cost @ 18.56¢ |
|---|---|---|
| 40 kWh (small EV) | ~40 | ~$7.40 |
| 60 kWh (compact) | ~60 | ~$11.10 |
| 75 kWh (midsize) | ~75 | ~$13.90 |
| 100 kWh (large/SUV) | ~100 | ~$18.60 |
See the EV charging appliance page for low/typical/heavy tables and per-state costs.
Why it beats gasoline
A 30 mpg gas car at $3.50/gallon costs about 11.7¢ per mile in fuel; a 25 mpg SUV is about 14¢. Home charging at 6.4¢ per mile undercuts both, and an off-peak EV rate can push it under 4¢. The catch is public DC fast charging, which can cost several times the home rate.
How to charge for less
- Use a time-of-use plan and charge overnight.
- Know your real rate — see how to read your electric bill and your state’s price.
- Don’t rely on public fast charging for routine miles.
Bottom line
At the US average rate, charging an EV at home costs about 6.4¢ per mile and ~$640–$770 a year for typical mileage — well below gasoline. Run your own car and rate through the calculator.