EV Charging Cost Calculator
What does your electric car really cost to run? Enter your battery size, rates, and driving, and see the cost per charge, per mile, and per month — at home and at public chargers.
Reviewed by MyEnergyToolkit Editorial Team · Updated July 24, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Most EVs: 3–4.5 mi/kWh (≈ 14–20 kWh/100 km).
~90% for AC home charging.
Monthly charging cost (home)
$0
for 1,000 miles
Estimates only. Cold weather, fast charging, and highway speeds reduce efficiency; EV night tariffs can cut home costs further.
How much does it cost to charge an EV?
The answer depends on the battery energy added, the electricity price and charging losses. For a 60 kWh battery charged from empty with 90% efficiency, the wall must supply about 66.7 kWh. At $0.15/kWh, that full charge costs about $10.00. Most drivers add less than a full battery during a normal charging session.
EV charging cost by electricity rate
The examples below use a 60 kWh full charge, 90% charging efficiency, vehicle efficiency of 3.5 mi/kWh and 1,000 miles per month.
| Electricity rate | Full charge | Cost per mile | 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12/kWh | $8.00 | 3.8¢ | $38.10 |
| $0.18/kWh | $12.00 | 5.7¢ | $57.14 |
| $0.25/kWh | $16.67 | 7.9¢ | $79.37 |
| $0.40/kWh | $26.67 | 12.7¢ | $126.98 |
Home vs public EV charging cost
Home charging normally uses your utility's residential or time-of-use rate. Public stations set their own per-kWh, per-minute or session prices, so enter the price shown by the network rather than relying on a national average. For a complete fuel comparison, use the EV charging cost vs gas guide.
How this EV charging calculator works
Cost per full charge = battery kWh ÷ charging efficiency × rate — you pay for the energy drawn from the wall, which is ~10% more than what lands in the pack. Cost per mile = rate ÷ (mi/kWh × charging efficiency), and the monthly figure multiplies that by your driving. The public-rate chip shows the same month if you did all your charging on paid public chargers — the gap is usually the strongest argument for a home charge point.
EV charging cost FAQ
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
Battery kWh × rate ÷ charging efficiency. A 60 kWh battery from empty at $0.15/kWh with 90% efficiency costs about $10; a typical 20–80% overnight top-up runs $3–6.
What is charging efficiency and why divide by it?
8–12% of energy is lost as heat in the charger, cable, and battery management on AC charging. To put 54 kWh in the pack you draw ~60 kWh from the wall — you pay for wall kWh.
How much cheaper is home charging than public?
Usually 2–4×. Home rates run $0.10–0.20/kWh (less on EV night tariffs); DC fast chargers charge $0.30–0.60/kWh. At 1,000 miles/month and 3.5 mi/kWh that's roughly $48 at home vs $130+ on fast chargers.
How do I work out my EV's cost per mile?
Rate ÷ (mi/kWh × charging efficiency). At $0.15/kWh and 3.5 mi/kWh with 90% efficiency: about 4.8¢/mile — typically a third of an equivalent gas car's fuel cost.