Generator vs Battery Backup Cost by State
Compare the operating cost of two backup power options: recharging a home battery with grid electricity versus running a gasoline generator. We compare only the cost to recharge or run—not purchase price, installation, or maintenance.
Why operating cost only: Purchase and installation vary widely. This page answers: given your state's electricity price, how does battery recharge cost compare to generator fuel cost?
Battery recharge cost depends on battery capacity and your state's electricity price. Generator fuel cost depends on fuel consumption and gasoline prices. Select a state to see the comparison.
Fixed Assumptions
All state pages use these baseline values for consistency:
- Battery capacity: 13.5 kWh (typical home battery)
- Generator fuel use: 0.75 gal/hour
- Gasoline price: $3.75/gallon
Electricity rates come from EIA data and vary by state. Gasoline price is a fixed national assumption.