Last updated: July 2026
If you charge at home, your "fuel" cost per mile is 60-70% lower than a gas car. But the exact cost depends on three factors: your electricity rate, when you charge (time-of-use vs flat rate), and your EV's efficiency (kWh per 100 miles). This guide breaks down the real cost of home EV charging in 2026, with state-by-state data and a comparison to gas costs.
Electricity rates vary dramatically by state. Here's what you'll pay to charge a 77 kWh Tesla Model Y (310-mile range) from 10% to 80% at home:
| State | Avg Electricity Rate | Cost for 48.5 kWh (10-80%) | Cost per 100 mi | Annual Cost (13,500 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.0¢/kWh | $5.82 | $4.08 | $551 |
| Washington | 14.4¢/kWh | $6.98 | $4.90 | $662 |
| Oregon | 14.9¢/kWh | $7.22 | $5.07 | $684 |
| Utah | 16.2¢/kWh | $7.86 | $5.51 | $744 |
| US Average | 18.56¢/kWh | $9.00 | $6.31 | $852 |
| New York | 24.2¢/kWh | $11.74 | $8.23 | $1,111 |
| Massachusetts | 28.1¢/kWh | $13.63 | $9.55 | $1,289 |
| California | 33.3¢/kWh | $16.15 | $11.32 | $1,528 |
Assumes 0.34 kWh/mile (average EV). 10-80% charge = 48.5 kWh for 77 kWh battery. Annual cost = 13,500 mi × kWh/mi × electricity rate.
Equipment cost: $0 (included with every EV) | Installation cost: $0 | Charging speed: 3-5 miles/hour
Level 1 charging plugs into any standard 120V outlet. It adds about 36-48 miles of range overnight (12 hours of charging). This is sufficient for drivers who cover less than 40 miles per day. However, the 120V outlet must be on a dedicated 15A circuit — sharing with a garage fridge or freezer will trip the breaker.
Annual electricity cost: Same as Level 2 (you're using the same electricity, just slower). The only "cost" is that you may need to charge during peak hours if your utility doesn't offer time-of-use rates for 120V circuits.
Equipment cost: $399-$699 | Installation cost: $500-$3,000 | Charging speed: 20-30 miles/hour
Level 2 charging requires a 240V circuit (like a dryer or oven circuit). Most EV owners install a Level 2 charger for the convenience: you can fully charge a 300-mile EV in 8-10 hours overnight. The 30C federal tax credit covers 30% of installation costs (up to $1,000) through June 30, 2026.
30C tax credit example: A $1,500 installation costs $1,050 after the credit. A $3,500 complex installation costs $2,450 after the credit (capped at $1,000 benefit).
Most US utilities offer TOU rate plans that charge less for electricity used during off-peak hours (typically 11 PM to 7 AM). Since most EV owners charge overnight, TOU plans can reduce charging costs by 30-50%.
Not all utilities require a separate meter for EV charging. Many (including PG&E, Con Edison, and ComEd) allow you to enroll in TOU rates on your existing meter — the EV charging just happens to occur during the off-peak window.
The cost to install a Level 2 charger varies widely based on your electrical panel location and existing capacity:
You can buy a portable Level 2 charger (plugs into NEMA 14-50 outlet, $299-$499) instead of a hardwired charger ($475-$699). Portable chargers are useful if you move frequently (apartment dwellers) or want to take your charger on road trips (some campgrounds have 240V outlets). However, hardwired chargers are more reliable for daily use and may be required by local code (check with your electrician).
| Charging Location | Cost per kWh | Cost for 48.5 kWh (10-80%) | Annual Cost (13,500 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home (US avg, flat rate) | 18.56¢ | $9.00 | $852 |
| Home (TOU off-peak) | 12-14¢ | $5.80-$6.80 | $550-$650 |
| Tesla Supercharger | 24-48¢ | $11.60-$23.30 | $1,100-$2,200 |
| Electrify America | 31-56¢/min or 43¢/kWh | $20.80 | $1,970 |
| Workplace (free) | $0 | $0 | $0 (if fully covered) |
The data is clear: home charging is 2-3x cheaper than public fast charging. If you cannot charge at home, an EV's economic advantage shrinks dramatically. In high electricity rate states (CA, MA, NY), public DC fast charging can cost almost as much per mile as gasoline.
Yes, and it's the cheapest way to "fuel" an EV. A typical 6 kW solar system produces about 7,200 kWh/year in most US locations — enough to cover 18,000-20,000 miles of EV driving. At average utility rates, that's $850-$1,200/year in electricity you don't have to buy.
The payback period for solar + EV is typically 6-9 years. After that, you're driving on free sunlight. Use our Solar + EV Savings Calculator to estimate your payback period.
For a Tesla Model Y (77 kWh battery) charged from 0% to 100% at the US average electricity rate (18.56¢/kWh): $14.30. In practice, you charge from 10% to 80% most of the time, which costs about $9.00. That gives you ~215 miles of range — about 4.2¢ per mile.
Home charging is dramatically cheaper. At the US average, home charging costs 6.3¢/mile vs 15.8¢/mile for a 25 MPG gas car at $3.94/gal. That's a 60% savings. The only exception is if you have very high electricity rates (over 40¢/kWh) and a very efficient gas car (40+ MPG) — even then, home charging is usually cheaper.
Yes. Every EV comes with a Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120V outlet. It adds 3-5 miles of range per hour, so overnight charging (12 hours) gives you 36-60 miles of range. This is sufficient for low-mileage drivers (<40 miles/day). For most drivers, Level 2 (240V) charging is necessary for convenience.
$500 to $3,500 depending on electrical panel condition, distance from panel to charger location, and local labor rates. The 30C federal tax credit covers 30% of the cost (up to $1,000). After the credit, most installations cost $350-$2,450 out of pocket.
The 30C tax credit covers 30% of home EV charger installation costs (equipment + labor), up to $1,000. It expires June 30, 2026 for equipment placed in service after that date. If your installation is completed by June 30, 2026, you can claim the credit on your 2026 federal tax return (file by April 2027).