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EV & HybridEV Charging Cost Calculator — Cost to Charge at Home
Charging at home is where EVs save money. Enter how many miles of range you’re adding, your car’s efficiency in miles per kWh, and your electricity rate — you’ll get the cost and the energy used, plus the all-important cost per mile.
How this calculator works
We turn the miles into energy by dividing by your efficiency (miles per kWh), then multiply the kWh by your electricity rate. Cost per mile is the rate divided by efficiency — typically a fraction of what gas costs per mile, which is the whole appeal.
What changes the number
- Efficiency drops in cold weather and at high speeds; 3–4 mi/kWh is typical, less for trucks and SUVs.
- Home rates vary widely; many utilities offer cheaper overnight “time-of-use” rates that cut charging cost further.
- Public DC fast charging costs much more than home charging — sometimes approaching gas costs per mile.
Frequently asked questions
How does this compare to gas?
At 3.5 mi/kWh and $0.16/kWh, you’re paying about 4.6¢ a mile. A 28-mpg gas car at $3.50/gal pays about 12.5¢ a mile — roughly 2–3× more. Use our EV vs gas calculator to compare directly.
What’s a kWh and how many do I need?
A kilowatt-hour is the unit your electric bill charges by. A full charge for a typical EV is 50–80 kWh; this calculator shows the kWh for the miles you enter.
Is home charging really cheaper than public?
Almost always. Home rates are typically $0.10–$0.25/kWh; public DC fast chargers often charge $0.40–$0.60/kWh or more, plus session fees.