The Cost to Charge EV at Home: A Comprehensive Guide

Charging an electric car at home usually costs between $0.04 and $0.17 per kWh — about $7–$18 for a full charge on most EVs. That’s far cheaper than fueling a gas-powered car.

🔑 Key Factors

• Electricity Rate: National average is $0.17/kWh, but ranges from $0.11 (Oklahoma) to $0.42 (Hawaii).

• Battery Size: Smaller EVs cost $6–$10 per charge, while larger EVs, such as the Silverado EV, cost $30+ per charge.

• Charging Speed: Home Level 1 & Level 2 EV chargers are the cheapest; DC fast charging can cost 2–3 times more.

• Time of Charging: Charging during off-peak times (overnight) can reduce costs by one-third.

📊 Example

A 60 kWh EV battery × $0.15/kWh = $9.00
➡️ About 200–240 miles of driving range.

💵 Cost Savings for EV Owners

• Average monthly cost: ~$63 for home charging.

• Gasoline-powered vehicle: often 2x higher fuel costs. On average, EV drivers save about $950 per year on fuel, which can add up to $6,000–$10,000 in savings over the lifespan of the vehicle.

• Plus: lower maintenance costs and potential federal tax credit + utility rebates.

Introduction to Charging an Electric Car

Compared to filling up a gas-powered vehicle, charging an electric car is usually cheaper, cleaner, and more predictable. On average, the cost to charge an electric vehicle at home works out to about $2.30 to $31.00 per 100 miles of range, depending on the car’s battery capacity, your local electricity rate, and charging speed.

For most EV owners, home charging costs about $63 per month, which is significantly lower than the monthly fuel bill for a gasoline-powered vehicle. Understanding these EV charging costs is key for anyone considering EV ownership, as it helps drivers plan for both the short-term expenses and long-term cost savings of going electric.

What Factors Affect EV Home Charging Costs?

The cost of charging an electric vehicle varies widely because several factors influence the overall expense. Knowing what these are, including battery capacity, helps EV drivers better estimate their total cost of charging.

• Electricity Rate: Your local electricity rate is the single biggest factor. The national average electricity rate is about $0.17 per kilowatt hour (kWh), but this varies dramatically (from around $0.11/kWh in states like Oklahoma to $0.42/kWh in Hawaii). The higher your rate, the more it costs to fully charge your EV battery.

• Battery Capacity and Size: Battery size also matters. A compact EV with a 40 kWh battery may cost less than $7 to fully charge at home, while a large truck like the Silverado EV or Hummer EV with a 200+ kWh battery could cost more than $30 to fully charge. Larger batteries extend range but increase charging costs.

• Charging Speed: The type of charger also affects cost. Level 1 charging (a regular household outlet) is the slowest and cheapest, but it can take days to fully charge. Level 2 charging (240V home charger) is faster and more efficient, costing slightly more upfront due to installation but saving EV owners long-term. DC fast charging is the most expensive option, often two to three times pricier than home charging, but it provides quick top-ups on the road. Beyond cost, frequent use of DC fast charging can also impact battery longevity, potentially leading to a 3–9% reduction in capacity over 50,000 miles.

• Driving Habits: How you drive plays a role, too. Frequent long-distance trips mean more reliance on public charging stations and fast charging, which raises the overall cost. On the other hand, EV drivers who mostly commute short distances and charge at home see much lower average charging costs.

Charging Costs and Expenses

When comparing EV charging costs, home charging is consistently cheaper than public charging stations.

• Home EV charging: $0.04–$0.17 per kWh

• Public EV charging: $0.20–$0.60 per kWh

To put this in perspective, charging a 60 kWh battery at home with an average electricity rate of $0.15/kWh costs just $9.00. At a public DC fast charger, the same charge could cost $24–$36.

The total cost of EV ownership is further reduced by lower maintenance costs. EVs have fewer moving parts than gasoline-powered vehicles, so maintenance is cheaper over time. In fact, the average EV owner spends about $485 per year on charging compared to more than $1,100 per year on gas for a comparable gas-powered car. Add in the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 and state incentives, and the overall cost of EV ownership becomes even more attractive.

EV owners can save more by taking advantage of off-peak rates. Many utility companies offer discounted electricity at night, making it possible to charge an electric vehicle for one-third the cost of filling a gas tank.

What Are the Cost-Effective Charging Options?

EV owners have several strategies to lower their charging costs even further.

• Home charging with standard rates: At $0.04–$0.17 per kWh, this is already the cheapest method.

• Solar panels: Installing solar panels can lower charging costs to around $0.06 per kWh, reducing reliance on the grid.

• Public charging memberships: Some charging networks offer monthly fee programs with discounted per kWh rates, making public charging more cost-effective.

• Off-peak times: Charging late at night or early in the morning often provides the lowest electricity rates.

By mixing these options, EV drivers can keep their total cost of charging down and maximize savings compared to fueling a gas vehicle.

Charging at Home

Home charging is the backbone of EV ownership, while public charging stations offer additional options. Over 80% of EV drivers charge at home, making it the most convenient and cost-effective method.

What Are the Costs of Home EV Charging?

The cost depends on the electricity rate set by your utility company. For example:

• At $0.12/kWh, a 60 kWh EV battery costs $7.20 to fully charge.

• At $0.30/kWh, the same battery costs $18.00 to fully charge.

A larger 100 kWh battery would cost about $17 to fully charge at the national average of $0.17/kWh. That’s still cheaper than filling a gas tank, especially when average gas prices hover around $3.50 per gallon.

Off-Peak Savings

Most EV owners can lower costs further by scheduling charging during off-peak times (often between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.), when electricity is cheapest.

Installing a Home Charging Station

While you can plug into a regular outlet, most EV owners choose to install a Level 2 home EV charging station. Installation costs range from $500–$2,000, depending on your home’s electrical system, but the convenience and long-term cost savings usually outweigh the upfront expense. In some cases, installing a Level 2 charger may also require an electrical panel upgrade, costing an additional $500–$2,000.

Federal tax credits and local rebates may reduce installation costs. Learn which rebates and incentives apply in your state with our EV charging station incentives by state guide. Federal incentives typically cover 30% of installation costs up to $1,000, with many states and utilities offering additional rebates.

For a breakdown of installation scenarios—including panel upgrades, wiring, and permit costs—see our post on how much it costs to install an electric car charger.

Public Charging Options

While at home charging covers most needs, public EV charging is essential for road trips and for EV owners without home access. To explore the full range of advantages and limitations of each option, check out our article on home charging versus public charging: pros and cons.

Availability

There are more than 75,000 charging stations and 223,000 charging ports across the U.S., making public charging more accessible than ever.

Costs

Public charging rates can vary widely depending on charger type and provider.

• Level 2 public chargers: $0.20–$0.25 per kWh

• DC fast charging (Level 3): $0.40–$0.60 per kWh

This means charging an EV on the go can be two to three times more expensive than charging at home.

When Public Charging Makes Sense

While home charging is usually the most cost-effective option, there are times when public charging is the smarter choice.

• Long road trips where you need fast charging.

• Apartment dwellers who lack home charging access.

• Opportunistic charging at workplaces, shopping centers, or free public stations.

While convenient, public chargers should supplement, not replace, home charging due to their higher cost.

Understanding the Cost of Charging

The charging cost to charge an EV at home or in public is based on a simple formula:

Charging Cost = Battery Size (kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)

For example, a Chevrolet Equinox EV with an 85 kWh battery at $0.15/kWh costs about $12.75 to fully charge. If that EV gets around three to four miles per kWh, that’s roughly 255–340 miles of driving for just $12.75. Real-world EV efficiencies vary. For instance, the Hyundai Kona Electric averages about 4 miles per kWh, while the Tesla Model 3 reaches up to 4.56 miles per kWh.

By contrast, a gasoline-powered vehicle getting 27 mpg at the national average gas price of $3.50 per gallon would cost $45–$50 to drive the same distance.

This is why most EVs are cheaper by one-third or more compared to gas-powered vehicles when considering fuel costs alone.

Conclusion on Charging Stations

The cost of charging depends on battery size, electricity rates, charging speed, and driving habits.

By focusing on at-home charging, EV owners enjoy the lowest cost per kWh, maximize cost savings, and reduce their environmental impact. Public charging remains an important supplement, especially for long trips, while innovations like solar panels and time-of-use pricing make EV ownership even more cost-effective.

FAQs

• How much will my electric bill go up if I charge my car at home?

  On average, charging an EV adds $30–$70 per month to your electric bill, depending on your electricity rate, battery size, and driving habits.

• Is it cheaper to charge your car at home or at a charging station?

  Yes, home charging is cheaper. Public charging can cost two to three times more per kWh than home EV charging.

• How do I calculate the cost of EV charging for my house?

  Multiply your car’s battery capacity (kWh) by your local electricity rate ($/kWh). For example: 60 kWh × $0.15 = $9.00 per full charge.

• What is the typical charging speed and kWh consumption for an EV at home?

  Level 1 adds 3–5 miles per hour, while Level 2 adds 25–40 miles per hour. Most EVs use about three to four miles per kWh.

• How much does it cost to install a home EV charger?

  Installation typically costs $500–$2,000, but federal tax credits and local rebates can reduce the expense.

• Are there government incentives or rebates for installing a home EV charger?

  Yes, the federal tax credit covers 30% of installation costs up to $1,000, and many states/utilities offer additional incentives.

• What factors affect the cost of charging an EV at home?

  Electricity rates, battery size, charging speed, and driving habits all impact the total cost of charging.

• How do electricity rate plans and time-of-use pricing affect EV home charging costs?

  Time-of-use plans offer cheaper rates during off-peak hours, allowing EV owners to cut costs by charging overnight.