EV Charging Cost Calculator
Wondering what it actually costs to charge an electric car? Enter your electricity price and how far you drive, and this tool shows the cost per 100 miles, per month and per year, plus how it compares with petrol.
Compare to a petrol car (optional)
Estimates only. Real costs vary with your electricity tariff, charging mix, climate and driving style.
How it works
How EV charging costs are calculated
An electric car's running cost comes down to three numbers: how far you drive, how much energy the car uses, and what you pay per kWh. Multiply them together and you have your charging bill. A typical EV uses around 30 kWh per 100 miles (about 18 kWh per 100 km), so at an average home rate it costs only a few dollars to cover a distance that would burn a gallon or more of petrol.
Home versus public charging
Charging at home is almost always the cheapest option, which is why this calculator starts there. Public fast charging is priced for speed and convenience and often costs two to three times the home rate, so the more of your charging you do in public, the higher the yearly figure. Set the public share to match how you actually drive. For the full breakdown, see how much it costs to charge an electric car and the state of the charging network.
How to pay less
Charge at home overnight on an off-peak tariff where you can, keep most of your charging on slower AC, and save public fast charging for longer trips. Topping up to 80 percent for daily use is cheaper and kinder to the battery. If range still worries you, our take on EV range anxiety and the wider EV charging guide cover what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to fuel a petrol car?
In most cases yes, especially if you charge at home. At an average home electricity rate, the energy to drive 100 miles in an EV costs far less than the petrol to drive the same distance. Heavy use of public fast chargers narrows the gap, which is what the public-share field above lets you test.
How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?
It depends on the battery size and your electricity price. A typical 60 kWh battery at an average home rate costs roughly 10 to 15 dollars for a full charge, and proportionally more on a public fast charger.
Why is public charging more expensive than charging at home?
Public fast chargers are priced for speed and convenience, and the operator has to cover the hardware, the grid connection and upkeep. They often cost two to three times the home rate per kWh.
Keep reading
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car?
The full breakdown of home versus public charging costs per kWh, per mile and per month.Read guide
EV Charging Stations: The State of the Network
How good the public charging network really is, and where fast charging is heading.Read guide