What Does It Cost to Run an Electric Vehicle Charger in Illinois?
Running an electric vehicle charger in Illinois costs about $85.92 a month — $1045.42 a year — at the state's average rate of 19.89 ¢/kWh. That's roughly $81.47 a year more than a household paying the national average pays for the exact same electric vehicle charger. The estimate assumes a typical 7,200-watt electric vehicle charger running 2 hours/day, at the all-in average rate (delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees already included; locally billed taxes vary by area).
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average wattage assumption | 7,200 W |
| Typical usage assumption | 2 hours/day |
| Estimated monthly electricity use | 432.0 kWh |
| Estimated monthly cost | $85.92 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $1045.42 |
Electric Vehicle Charger cost vs U.S. average
At the state average rate, an electric vehicle charger in Illinois costs $6.70 more a month than it would at the U.S. average rate.
How much electricity does an electric vehicle charger use?
An electric vehicle charger draws roughly 1,400-7,600 W; we use 7,200 watts running 2 hours/day. That comes to 14.4 kWh a day — 432.0 kWh a month, or 5256.0 kWh over a year — using kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000. For the wattage range, amps, and how that math works, see how many watts an electric vehicle charger uses.
EV charging cost depends on vehicle efficiency and miles driven, but the underlying electricity rate remains the main lever for charging cost by state. Illinois prices that energy at 19.89 ¢/kWh, against a 18.34 ¢/kWh national average.
Electric Vehicle Charger operating cost estimate in Illinois
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 7.20 kWh | $1.43 |
| Per day | 14.4 kWh | $2.86 |
| Per month | 432.0 kWh | $85.92 |
| Per year | 5256.0 kWh | $1045.42 |
These figures use the all-in average rate. Your actual bill can run higher when separately billed taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees apply.
For the charging cost by car rather than by charger hours, see the cost to charge an electric car in Illinois: twelve models priced per full charge, per 100 miles, and per month at this rate.
What changes the cost the most?
Two things move this number: your state's rate, which you can't change, and how hard the appliance works, which you often can. For an electric vehicle charger, that mostly comes down to charger level, miles driven, charging schedule.
Using yours more lightly or heavily than our assumption? The state calculator and usage-cost pages below model your exact scenario at the same rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Electric Vehicle Charger calculator in Illinois to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:
City pages for selected metros in Illinois
These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are estimates.
| City | City rate | Monthly estimate | Yearly estimate | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 20.69 ¢/kWh | $89.36 | $1072.34 | City appliance page |
| Aurora | 19.89 ¢/kWh | $85.92 | $1031.10 | City electricity context |
| Naperville | 19.89 ¢/kWh | $85.92 | $1031.10 | City electricity context |
| Joliet | 19.89 ¢/kWh | $85.92 | $1031.10 | City electricity context |
| Rockford | 19.89 ¢/kWh | $85.92 | $1031.10 | City electricity context |
| Springfield | 19.89 ¢/kWh | $85.92 | $1031.10 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on local rate context. The table above uses the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Illinois
- Refrigerator cost in Illinois — Typical 40-100 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Space Heater cost in Illinois — Typical 750-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Window AC cost in Illinois — Typical 500-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Portable AC cost in Illinois — Typical 700-1,400 W estimate with state-specific pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric vehicle charger in Illinois?
At 2 hours/day and the state average rate of 19.89 ¢/kWh, you'd pay about $85.92 a month.
Does this estimate include delivery fees and taxes?
Yes — the all-in average rate already includes delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees; locally billed taxes vary by area.
Where else can I compare this appliance?
See the appliance comparison guide, or the Illinois bill estimator for whole-household profiles.
State cost and bill pathways for Illinois
- Illinois electricity price per kWh — What a kWh of electricity costs in Illinois
- Illinois electricity rates & prices — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Illinois electricity cost analysis — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Chicago electricity estimate (Illinois) — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Average electric bill in Illinois — What a typical monthly bill looks like
- Illinois household bill estimator — Estimate your bill from your monthly usage
Historical and trend pages
- Illinois electricity price history — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Illinois — State electricity inflation analysis
- Illinois electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 400 kWh cost in Illinois — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 500 kWh in Illinois — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 504 kWh in Illinois — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Illinois electricity cost calculator — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Illinois — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Illinois — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Illinois — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Illinois — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Illinois — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Illinois — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Illinois
- Illinois electricity comparisons — State-to-state comparison hub
- Illinois vs California electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Illinois vs Florida electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Illinois electricity hub — Guide to this state's electricity rate, usage, comparison, and tool pages
- Electricity cost scenario hub — Entry point for residential and industry scenario pages
- Illinois electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Average electric bill in Illinois — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Illinois electricity bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios for this state
- Electricity usage hubs — Browse cost pages by common household usage tiers
Consumer electricity drivers
- Price drivers in Illinois — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: June 2026. Estimates use the EIA all-in average residential rate — energy, delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees together, not just the electricity itself. Fees are inside the rate, not an extra on top; how your own bill splits fixed versus per-kWh charges varies by utility. For what's inside the all-in rate, see hidden electricity fees; for how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.