# Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home in 2026

> The cost to charge an electric car at home is about 6 cents a mile at the U.S. average rate, or $64 for 1,000 miles in an EV using 35 kWh per 100 miles.

- URL: https://solarexaminer.com/posts/cost-to-charge-electric-car-at-home/
- Site: Solar Examiner (https://solarexaminer.com/)
- Category: Electric Rates
- Published: 2026-10-31
- Last verified: 2026-10-31
- Author: John Marshall

## Key takeaways

- Cost to charge = kWh per 100 miles × miles driven ÷ 100 × your price per kWh. EPA's efficiency ratings already include charging losses, measured at the wall outlet.
- At EIA's U.S. average residential price for August 2026, 18.16 cents per kWh, an EV using 35 kWh per 100 miles costs about 6.4 cents a mile, or $63.56 for 1,000 miles.
- The same 1,000 miles costs about $45 at Louisiana's average rate and about $104 at California's, using EIA's August 2026 state averages.
- A new gasoline vehicle averaging 27.2 mpg, at EIA's U.S. regular gasoline price of $4.269 for the week of Oct. 26, 2026, costs about 15.7 cents a mile, or about $157 for 1,000 miles.
- Time-of-use rates can lower home charging costs. On We Energies' Wisconsin time-of-use plan, the off-peak energy charge is about half the standard energy charge.



**Charging an electric car at home costs about 6.4 cents a mile at the U.S. average residential electricity price of 18.16 cents per kWh (EIA, August 2026), for an EV that uses 35 kWh per 100 miles.** Drive 1,000 miles in a month and that is about $64. Your number depends on three things: how efficient your car is, how far you drive, and what you pay per kWh.

This guide shows the formula, works it for small, mid-size and large EVs, compares it with gasoline, and explains how time-of-use rates and solar change the result. To find your state's average price, see our [electricity rates by state](/rates-by-state/) list.

## The Formula

The Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center says an EV's fuel efficiency "may be measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles." The cost follows from that:

**Monthly cost = (miles driven ÷ 100) × kWh per 100 miles × your price per kWh**

You will find kWh per 100 miles on the car's EPA window sticker. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says its ratings "include charging losses," which "moves the measurement from the vehicle to the outlet in the wall." So the sticker figure is meant to reflect electricity drawn from your outlet, though your real-world use can differ from the label.

## How Efficient EVs Are

The spread is wide. For model year 2024, the Department of Energy reported that EPA combined ratings ranged from 1.49 to 4.17 miles per kWh, which works out to about 24 to 67 kWh per 100 miles (100 ÷ miles per kWh). Midsize cars ranged from 2.17 to 4.17 miles per kWh. Two-wheel-drive standard SUVs ranged from 0.97 to 2.94.

We use three example efficiencies that fall within those ranges:

- **25 kWh per 100 miles:** an efficient car (4 miles per kWh).
- **35 kWh per 100 miles:** a mid-range figure (about 2.9 miles per kWh).
- **50 kWh per 100 miles:** a large SUV (2 miles per kWh).

These are examples, not ratings for specific models. Check your own car's sticker.

## What It Costs at the U.S. Average Rate

Assumptions: 18.16 cents per kWh, EIA's U.S. average residential price for August 2026 ([Electricity Monthly Update](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/update/end-use.php), released Oct. 23, 2026); 1,000 miles a month as a round example; all charging at home.

| Example EV | kWh for 1,000 miles | Cost per mile | Cost for 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 kWh per 100 mi | 250 kWh | $0.045 | $45.40 |
| 35 kWh per 100 mi | 350 kWh | $0.064 | $63.56 |
| 50 kWh per 100 mi | 500 kWh | $0.091 | $90.80 |

The math for the middle row: 1,000 ÷ 100 × 35 = 350 kWh, and 350 × $0.1816 = $63.56.

EIA's figure is average revenue per kWh, which includes fixed charges spread across usage. Your extra cost for charging is the per-kWh part of your rate, which on many bills is somewhat lower than the average. Your bill's energy and delivery lines show your actual per-kWh charges.

## What It Costs Where You Live

Rates vary far more than car efficiency. These examples use EIA's August 2026 state averages (Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, released Oct. 23, 2026) for the 35 kWh per 100 miles example and 1,000 miles.

| State average | Cents per kWh | Cost for 350 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.87 | $45.05 |
| U.S. average | 18.16 | $63.56 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41 | $67.94 |
| California | 29.75 | $104.13 |
| Hawaii | 47.18 | $165.13 |

State averages blend every utility in the state, and EIA's monthly figures are preliminary. Our state rate pages, such as [California](/posts/california-electricity-rate-changes-2026/), break down what is changing at individual utilities.

## EV Charging vs. Gasoline

EPA's latest Automotive Trends report puts the average new vehicle's real-world fuel economy at a record 27.2 mpg for model year 2024. EIA's U.S. average for regular gasoline was $4.269 a gallon for the week of October 26, 2026, including taxes.

| Vehicle | Cost per mile | Cost for 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Gas, 27.2 mpg at $4.269 | $0.157 | $156.95 |
| EV, 35 kWh per 100 mi at 18.16 cents | $0.064 | $63.56 |

The math: 1,000 ÷ 27.2 = about 36.76 gallons, and 1,000 ÷ 27.2 × $4.269 = $156.95.

At those national averages, the gas vehicle costs about 2.5 times as much per mile. The EV in our example would cost the same per mile as the gas vehicle only at about 44.8 cents per kWh ($0.157 ÷ 0.35). That is a little below Hawaii's August average of 47.18 cents, where gasoline prices also differ from the national figure. This compares energy costs only. Insurance, maintenance, purchase price and public fast charging are not included.

## Time-of-Use Rates Can Cut the Cost

The Alternative Fuels Data Center notes that "some utilities offer residential time-of-use rates or other rate incentives for charging infrastructure owners." Time-of-use rates charge less outside a set peak window, which often covers overnight hours when cars are parked.

Example: We Energies in Wisconsin. Since January 1, 2026, its standard residential energy charge is $0.19342 per kWh. Its time-of-use plan charges $0.10028 per kWh off-peak and $0.30084 on-peak, with customers picking one of four 12-hour on-peak windows. For the 350 kWh in our example:

- **Standard rate:** 350 × $0.19342 = $67.70.
- **Time-of-use, all off-peak:** 350 × $0.10028 = $35.10.

These figures cover the energy charge only. They leave out the daily customer charge and smaller per-kWh adjustments. The catch: the rest of your home's use also moves to time-of-use pricing, and anything you run on-peak costs more. Our explainer on [time-of-use rates and solar](/posts/time-of-use-rates-and-solar/) shows how to check whether a plan fits your household. We Energies is also asking regulators for higher rates in 2027; see our report on the [We Energies 2027 rate request](/posts/we-energies-rate-increase-2027/).

## Level 1 or Level 2: Speed, Not Price

EPA estimates that Level 1 charging (a standard 120-volt outlet) adds about 5 miles of range per hour, and Level 2 (240 volts) about 25, assuming 1.9 kW and 6.6 kW of power. Your price per kWh is the same either way.

At 1,000 miles a month, you need about 33 miles of range a day. That is about 6.7 hours a night on Level 1, or about 1.3 hours on Level 2. The Alternative Fuels Data Center says many owners "are able to meet their daily driving range requirements by charging overnight with Level 1 equipment." Level 2 helps if you drive more, have a less efficient vehicle, or want to fit all charging into a short off-peak window.

The extra cost of Level 2 is hardware and installation. The Alternative Fuels Data Center says permits may be required and that "electricians can inform homeowners whether their home has adequate electrical capacity for vehicle charging." Our [Level 2 charger guide](/posts/best-level-2-ev-chargers-for-home/) compares models, and our [EV charger calculator](/ev-charger-calculator/) works out charge time and cost per session.

## Charging With Solar

An EV adds a lot of electricity use. Our 35 kWh per 100 miles example at 1,000 miles a month adds 350 kWh a month, about 4,200 kWh a year. If you have solar or are getting quotes, include that load when you size the system. Our guide to [how many solar panels you need](/posts/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/) shows the method.

Timing matters. Panels produce during the day, and many people charge at night. Unless you can charge at home in the daytime, your panels offset night charging only through net metering credits. How much those credits are worth depends on your utility's export rules, which differ widely. A home battery can shift solar into the evening, but it adds cost; our guide to [batteries on time-of-use rates](/posts/best-home-batteries-time-of-use-rates/) covers when that pays.

## Sources and verification

| Important claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. average residential price 18.16 cents per kWh, August 2026; released Oct. 23, 2026 | [EIA Electricity Monthly Update](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/update/end-use.php) | Verified |
| State averages, August 2026 (Louisiana, Wisconsin, California, Hawaii) | [EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a) | Verified (preliminary data) |
| Efficiency measured in kWh per 100 miles; time-of-use rates; permits and electricians | [DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center](https://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-charging-home) | Verified |
| EPA ratings include charging losses, measured at the wall outlet | [EPA, Fuel Economy and EV Range Testing](https://epa.gov/greenvehicles/fuel-economy-and-ev-range-testing) | Verified |
| Model year 2024 EVs: 1.49 to 4.17 miles per kWh | [DOE Fact of the Week #1373](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/vehicles/articles/fotw-1373-december-16-2024-efficiency-evs-model-year-2024-ranges-53-140-mpge) | Verified |
| Midsize cars 2.17 to 4.17, 2WD standard SUVs 0.97 to 2.94 miles per kWh | [DOE Fact of the Week #1374](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/vehicles/articles/fotw-1374-december-23-2024-model-year-2024-electric-vehicles-offer-consumers) | Verified |
| Level 1 about 5 and Level 2 about 25 miles of range per hour; 1.9 kW and 6.6 kW | [EPA, Charging My Electric Vehicle](https://www.epa.gov/node/279539) | Verified |
| Regular gasoline $4.269 a gallon, week of Oct. 26, 2026 | [EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/) | Verified |
| New-vehicle average 27.2 mpg, model year 2024 | [EPA Automotive Trends Report highlights](https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends/highlights-automotive-trends-report) | Verified |
| We Energies Rg1 and Rg2 energy charges, effective Jan. 1, 2026 | [We Energies 2026 electric rates](https://www.we-energies.com/olb/26/2026-01-we-electric-rates.pdf) | Verified |
| Per-mile, monthly, break-even and charging-time figures | Our arithmetic from the figures above | Qualified (examples based on stated assumptions) |

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home per month?

Multiply your monthly miles by the car's kWh per 100 miles, divide by 100, and multiply by your rate. Driving 1,000 miles in an EV that uses 35 kWh per 100 miles takes 350 kWh, about $63.56 at the U.S. average of 18.16 cents per kWh for August 2026.

### How much does it cost to fully charge an electric car?

Multiply the kWh you add by your rate. Adding 60 kWh at 18.16 cents per kWh costs about $10.90, plus a little more for charging losses. For budgeting, the monthly total is the better guide.

### Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to buy gas?

At U.S. averages, yes. An EV using 35 kWh per 100 miles costs about 6.4 cents a mile at 18.16 cents per kWh. A 27.2 mpg gas vehicle costs about 15.7 cents a mile at $4.269 a gallon. The answer can change where electricity is very expensive.

### Does Level 2 charging cost more than Level 1?

The price per kWh is the same; you pay your normal rate either way. Level 2 is faster, about 25 miles of range per hour versus about 5 for Level 1, per EPA. The main extra cost of Level 2 is buying and installing the charger.

### Can solar panels charge my electric car?

Yes, but the timing matters. Cars often charge overnight, when panels produce nothing, so most of that power comes from the grid. Net metering credits or daytime charging decide how much the panels actually offset.


Image credit: Photo by go-e on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-plugging-electric-car-charger-into-wall-Lv-vzrhjybE?utm_source=solarexaminer&utm_medium=referral)