Multiply the energy you put in by your electricity price. At the US average residential price of 18.31 cents per kWh reported by the EIA for July 2026, a car that uses about 0.30 kWh per mile at the wall costs about 5.5 cents per mile to charge at home. Driving 1,000 miles a month adds roughly $55 to the electricity bill. A full charge of a 75 kWh battery from empty, including about 10% charging losses, costs about $15.
Worked Examples (18.31 ¢/kWh)
| Scenario | Energy from the wall | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 40-mile commute day | 12 kWh | About $2.20 |
| 1,000 miles per month | 300 kWh | About $55 |
| Full 75 kWh battery from empty | about 82.5 kWh | About $15 |
Your own price may be higher or lower; check your bill for the price per kWh including delivery charges.
How to Calculate Your Own Cost
- Find your price per kWh on your bill (energy plus delivery).
- Find your car’s efficiency in miles per kWh or kWh per 100 miles; add about 10% for charging losses.
- Multiply kWh used by price.
Ways to Pay Less
- Switch to a time-of-use or EV rate and charge overnight; see smart charging and time-of-use tariffs.
- Use Level 2, which is on average about 10% more efficient than Level 1 according to ENERGY STAR.
- Charge from rooftop solar during the day if you have it; see solar panels and EV chargers.
Chargers with energy displays, such as the EVDANCE EV-ACS4005T 40A NACS portable charger, show the kWh delivered per session, making the calculation easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full charge cost at home?
For a 75 kWh battery at 18.31 cents/kWh, about $15 including losses.
Will an EV double my electric bill?
For most households it adds a moderate amount, often $40–$80 a month for typical driving.
Is home charging cheaper than public charging?
Usually, especially compared with DC fast charging.
Related Reading
- Is Charging an Electric Car Cheaper Than Gas?
- Does Level 1 Use More Electricity?
- Smart Charging and Time-of-Use Tariffs
Key Takeaways
- Cost = kWh from the wall × price per kWh.
- At 18.31 ¢/kWh, home charging costs about 5.5 cents per mile.
- Off-peak rates and Level 2 lower the cost.