EV Charging Cost Calculator

Per-mile and annual cost of charging an EV at a mix of home and public chargers, compared to the same miles in a petrol car. Reveals where the savings (or losses) actually come from.

Last reviewed by Vanta Calc editorial

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Result

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EV "fuel cost" depends almost entirely on where you charge. Home overnight at $0.10-0.16/kWh is the cheapest fuel any car has ever run on. Public DC fast charging at $0.45-0.85/kWh can be more expensive than petrol per mile. The realistic mix for most owners — 80-90% home, 10-20% public — sits comfortably below petrol cost, but the maths flips for owners without home chargers.

Enter annual miles, your EV's efficiency in miles per kWh, what % of your charging happens at home (vs public fast charge), and the rates for both. The petrol comparison uses MPG and gallon price for an equivalent ICE car. The result is per-mile cost for the EV, the comparable petrol cost, and the annual savings (or loss) at your charging mix.

Examples

Typical US owner, 12k mi, 85% home

12,000 mi / 3.5 mi/kWh = 3,429 kWh/year. 85% home @ $0.16 = $466. 15% public @ $0.45 = $231. EV annual $697 ($0.058/mi). Petrol equiv 12k/30 × $3.60 = $1,440 ($0.12/mi). Annual saving $743 (~$3,700 over 5 years).

100% home, off-peak rate

Same vehicle, $0.10/kWh overnight, 100% home → 3,429 kWh × $0.10 = $343/year ($0.029/mi). Less than 25% the petrol cost. Off-peak home charging is the entire economic case for an EV.

No home charger — apartment / street parker

50% public @ $0.50 + 50% slow AC public @ $0.30 → effective rate $0.40 × 3,429 kWh = $1,372/year ($0.114/mi). Slightly cheaper than petrol but most of the EV savings evaporate. Home-charger access is the determining factor for EV economics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is public DC fast charging so expensive?
Site costs (real estate + grid connection + transformers) are amortized into the per-kWh rate, plus most networks include a profit margin and idle-fee structure. Tesla Supercharging has been the cheapest public network in most markets ($0.30-0.45/kWh). Free chargers at supermarkets, hotels, and workplace are an offset to this — 5-10% of public charging at $0 brings the weighted public rate down materially.
Should I install a home Level-2 charger?
If you'll keep an EV for 3+ years and drive 8,000+ mi/year, almost certainly yes. A Level-2 charger ($1,000-2,500 installed) lets you fully recharge overnight and avoids the public-charging premium. Calculate your annual savings here vs the install cost — most installs pay back in 1-2 years.
What miles/kWh should I use?
Use the official EPA / WLTP / NEDC combined figure for your specific model and trim, then subtract 10-15% for real-world conditions (highway, weather, accessories). Heavy SUVs / trucks: 2-2.5 mi/kWh. Mid-size sedans: 3-3.5. Compact / aero EVs: 4-4.5.
Does this account for solar self-charging?
No, but you can model it: if 50% of your home charging comes from solar at zero marginal cost, set your "home rate" to half of the grid import price. Combined with home charging on the off-peak shoulder, an EV charged from rooftop solar runs at near-zero per-mile cost.
Why is my EV's range falling in winter?
Cold weather costs 20-30% of nominal range — battery chemistry slows, cabin heating draws ~3 kWh, and tyre rolling resistance rises. The calculator uses your annual-average miles/kWh; if you live somewhere cold, drop the input by 15-20% to reflect reality.

Sources

  1. US EPA — Find a Car (combined MPGe and miles/kWh ratings) — U.S. Department of Energy and EPA
  2. PlugShare — public charging network rates — PlugShare
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EV Total Cost of Ownership Calculator
Electricity Calculator
Fuel Cost Calculator
Gas Mileage Calculator

Quick Tips

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Did you know?
Calculators are estimates. Consult professionals for critical decisions.