🔋 EV Charging Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost to charge your electric vehicle at home — including charging (energy loss) inefficiency — and compare your cost per mile against a gas-powered car.
Last Updated: July 10, 2026
Charging Details
Charging Cost
⛽ EV vs. Gas Car: Cost per Mile
Compare your EV's running cost per mile against a typical gasoline car.
EV Efficiency
Gas Car Comparison
| Cost per Mile | Cost per 100 Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Electric (this EV) | $0.000 | $0.00 |
| ⛽ Gas car | $0.000 | $0.00 |
💡 Not a full ownership comparison
This is a simple fuel/energy cost-per-mile comparison, not a full cost-of-ownership analysis (which would include purchase price, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation). See our detailed EV vs. Gas Car Cost comparison guide for the full 5-year picture.
🔌 How This Calculator Works
Energy Needed to Charge
Energy Needed = Battery Capacity × (Target% − Current%) / 100 ÷ (1 − Efficiency Loss)
Example: A 60 kWh battery going from 20% to 80% with 10% charging loss needs 60 × 0.6 ÷ 0.9 = 40 kWh from the wall.
Charging Cost
Cost = Energy Needed × Electricity Rate. At $0.16/kWh: 40 kWh × $0.16 = $6.40.
Cost per Mile
EV: Electricity Rate ÷ Efficiency (miles/kWh). Gas: Gas Price ÷ MPG.
💡 Real-World Examples & Use Cases
Three typical home-charging scenarios.
Weeknight top-up
60 kWh battery, 20%→80%, $0.16/kWh, 10% loss.
Result: 40 kWh needed → $6.40.
Nearly empty to full
75 kWh battery, 5%→100%, $0.14/kWh off-peak rate, 12% loss.
Result: ~80.97 kWh needed → $11.34.
Cheap overnight rate
40 kWh battery, 30%→90%, $0.10/kWh, 8% loss.
Result: ~26.09 kWh needed → $2.61.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & Pro Tips
- Ignoring charging losses: The energy your meter measures (from the wall) is always more than what lands in the battery — 8–15% is typically lost as heat.
- Comparing battery kWh to wall kWh: "40 kWh added to the battery" costs more than 40 kWh at your rate once losses are included.
- Using peak instead of off-peak rates: Many utilities offer cheaper overnight EV charging rates — check with your provider.
- Forgetting public fast-charging is pricier: DC fast chargers often cost 2–4× home rates per kWh.
🔍 People Also Ask
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or in public?
Almost always home charging is cheaper — public Level 2 and DC fast chargers typically charge a premium over residential electricity rates.
How much charging energy is lost as heat?
Typically 8–15% for home AC charging, depending on the charger, cable, and outdoor temperature; DC fast charging can have different loss profiles.
Is an EV always cheaper per mile than a gas car?
In most regions, yes on a fuel-cost basis, since electricity is usually cheaper per mile of range than gasoline — but local electricity and gas prices vary the exact margin.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What electricity rate should I use for this calculator?
Use your home utility rate — check your bill. If your utility offers an off-peak or overnight EV rate, use that for a more realistic estimate since most home charging happens overnight.
How many miles per kWh do EVs typically get?
Most EVs achieve roughly 3 to 4 miles per kWh, though smaller, more aerodynamic cars can exceed 4 and larger SUVs or trucks may fall below 3.
Is public fast charging more expensive than home charging?
Yes, typically. Public Level 2 charging and especially DC fast charging usually carry a per-kWh premium compared to residential electricity rates, plus sometimes a per-minute or session fee.
Does cold weather affect EV charging cost?
Yes — batteries are less efficient in cold temperatures, which can increase both charging losses and the energy needed to reach the same driving range, so winter costs are often somewhat higher.
Should I always charge to 100%?
Most manufacturers recommend charging to 80–90% for daily use to preserve battery longevity, reserving 100% charges for longer trips. This calculator lets you set any target percentage.
How does this compare to a full EV vs. gas car cost analysis?
This tool only compares fuel/energy cost per mile. For a complete picture including purchase price, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation over several years, see our EV vs. Gas Car Cost comparison guide.
Can I use this for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)?
Yes for the electric-only portion of your driving — enter your PHEV\u2019s battery capacity and electric-mode efficiency. Once the battery is depleted, a PHEV switches to gasoline, which this calculator doesn\u2019t model.