How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
At the U.S. average residential rate of 18.34¢/kWh, charging a Tesla Model 3 (Long Range) (75 kWh usable) from empty at home draws about 83 kWh from the wall and costs about $15.13, which works out to $5.04 per 100 miles and about $50.44 for 1,000 miles a month.
Rates are EIA residential averages through June 2026, refreshed Sep 9, 2026, and already include delivery and utility fees. Model capacities and efficiencies are rounded planning figures for a common trim; charging losses are set at 10% for home AC charging.
Cost to charge twelve EVs at the U.S. average rate
| Model | Usable battery | Full charge (metered) | Cost per full charge | Cost per 100 miles | 1,000 miles a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 (Long Range) | 75 kWh | 83 kWh | $15.13 | $5.04 | $50.44 |
| Tesla Model Y (Long Range) | 75 kWh | 83 kWh | $15.13 | $5.60 | $56.04 |
| Tesla Model S | 100 kWh | 110 kWh | $20.17 | $5.45 | $54.52 |
| Tesla Model X | 100 kWh | 110 kWh | $20.17 | $6.11 | $61.13 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | 65 kWh | 72 kWh | $13.11 | $5.17 | $51.73 |
| Nissan Leaf Plus | 60 kWh | 66 kWh | $12.10 | $5.93 | $59.34 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Long Range) | 77 kWh | 85 kWh | $15.53 | $5.76 | $57.64 |
| Kia EV6 (Long Range) | 77 kWh | 85 kWh | $15.53 | $5.60 | $56.04 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 77 kWh | 85 kWh | $15.53 | $6.30 | $63.04 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E (Extended Range) | 91 kWh | 100 kWh | $18.36 | $6.30 | $63.04 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (Extended Range) | 131 kWh | 144 kWh | $26.43 | $8.41 | $84.06 |
| Rivian R1T (Large pack) | 135 kWh | 149 kWh | $27.23 | $8.77 | $87.71 |
Cost per full charge = usable kWh × 1.1 × rate. Cost per 100 miles = 100 ÷ rated miles per kWh × 1.1 × rate. Cold weather, highway speeds, and towing raise the kWh per mile; a warm garage and slower Level 2 charging lower the losses.
Home charging levels and public fast charging
- Level 1 (120 V outlet): about 1.2 to 1.8 kW, adding roughly 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. Costs the same per kWh as Level 2 at home; it is just slow.
- Level 2 (240 V circuit): about 7 to 11 kW at home, adding roughly 20 to 40 miles per hour. The figures above assume home charging at the U.S. average residential rate; see how many watts an EV charger uses.
- DC fast charging (public): 50 to 350 kW, priced by the network per kWh or per minute, typically two to three times a home rate plus idle fees. Useful on trips; expensive as a daily habit.
- Time-of-use rates: many utilities price overnight kWh well below the daytime rate, so scheduling a Level 2 charge after midnight can cut the figures above by a third or more where such a plan exists.
Cost to charge a Tesla Model 3 (Long Range) by state
Every state's average residential rate applied to the reference car: a full charge from empty, 100 miles, and 1,000 miles a month. Each row links a page with all twelve models at that state's rate.
Installing a home charger
A Level 2 charger needs a 240 V circuit, the same kind a clothes dryer uses. Typical U.S. installs run a few hundred dollars for the charger plus a few hundred to a couple of thousand for the electrician, depending on the distance from the panel and whether the panel needs more capacity. Utility rebates and federal or state incentives change from year to year, so check the current programs before buying. Once installed, the running cost is the table above: a Level 2 charger is only expensive when it is running, and it runs at the U.S. average residential rate.
- How many watts does an EV charger use?
- Electric consumption calculator: add the charger to your other appliances.
- Why is my electric bill so high?: what an EV adds to a bill and what to check.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla at home?
At the U.S. average residential rate of 18.34¢/kWh, charging a Tesla Model 3 (Long Range) (75 kWh usable) from empty at home draws about 83 kWh from the wall and costs about $15.13, which works out to $5.04 per 100 miles and about $50.44 for 1,000 miles a month. A Model Y at the same rate is about $15.13 per full charge; the table above prices twelve models. Public fast charging is priced by the network and usually costs two to three times a home rate.
How much electricity does it take to charge an electric car?
A full charge draws the battery's usable capacity plus about 10% in charging losses: roughly 83 kWh for a 75 kWh car and 149 kWh for a 135 kWh truck. Per 100 miles it is about 28 kWh for an efficient sedan.
Is charging an electric car cheaper than gas?
Usually, by a wide margin at home. At the U.S. average residential rate a Tesla Model 3 (Long Range) costs about 5.0¢ per mile; a 30 mpg car at $3.50 a gallon costs about 11.7¢ per mile. Gas prices and public fast-charging rates change the comparison, so treat both inputs as assumptions.
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 home charger?
Typical U.S. installs run a few hundred dollars for the charger itself plus a few hundred to a couple of thousand for the electrician, depending on the run from the panel and whether the panel needs upgrading; a 240 V circuit is required. Utility rebates and federal or state incentives change from year to year, so check the current programs before buying.
Source & Method
Rates are the EIA all-in average residential price (U.S. total, June 2026). Model figures are rounded usable capacity and rated efficiency for a common trim (src/data/evModels.ts); they vary by year, trim, wheels, and weather. Home charging losses are modeled at 10%. The gasoline comparison assumes $3.50 a gallon and 30 mpg. Public charging prices are set by networks and are not modeled.