Charging an electric vehicle can cost less than buying gasoline for the same distance, but there is no universal savings figure. The result depends on the vehicles’ efficiency, local electricity and gasoline prices, and how much charging is done at home versus at public stations. Compare cost per mile using the prices and vehicles that apply to you—not a national average alone.
How to compare charging and gasoline costs fairly
Use the same distance for both vehicles. For a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), multiply its electricity use per mile by the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). For a gasoline vehicle, divide the price per gallon by the vehicle’s miles per gallon (mpg). Multiply each result by the same number of miles to compare energy costs.
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) points drivers to FuelEconomy.gov for model-specific fuel economy and range comparisons, and to its Vehicle Cost Calculator for broader cost comparisons. Use the vehicles’ official figures rather than an undefined “typical EV” or “typical car.” An EV’s miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) rating is an energy-efficiency measure; it is not a dollar-cost figure. You still need the electricity rate you pay.
Use these formulas
- EV cost per mile: electricity use in kWh per mile × electricity price per kWh.
- Gasoline cost per mile: gasoline price per gallon ÷ vehicle mpg.
- Cost for a chosen distance: cost per mile × miles driven.
If a vehicle’s efficiency is listed as kWh per 100 miles, divide that figure by 100 before multiplying by the electricity rate. If the specification is in MPGe rather than kWh per mile, use the model’s electricity-consumption figure for a direct calculation; MPGe alone does not tell you what your electricity costs.
#1 Best Overall
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway.
- HARDWIRED - PROFESSIONAL INSTALL: This Level 2 charger is hardwired (not plug-in), so a licensed electrician installs it per National Electrical Code. It delivers up to 48A on a dedicated 60A, 240V circuit - enough to charge most EVs fully overnight. Want more speed? You can set DIP switches 4 and 5 to unlock 50A on a dedicated 70A circuit. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that your electrical panel can support the circuit.
- CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start and stop charging, set the charging speed (6-48A), get reminders, and track how much energy and money each charge uses. Requires a 2.4 GHz home WiFi network.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
Keep the units consistent throughout. A result in dollars per mile can be multiplied by 100 to express the cost over 100 miles, or by your chosen annual mileage to estimate annual energy spending. For a gasoline vehicle, the gallon price and mpg figure must refer to the same vehicle and market context; for an EV, use its electricity use and the rate applicable to where it charges. Round only after calculating, so small differences are not obscured by rounding each input too early.
Keep the comparison boundaries clear
These calculations compare energy costs, not total ownership costs. A full ownership comparison also depends on purchase price, financing or lease costs, insurance, maintenance, taxes, incentives, and—if relevant—the installed cost of home charging equipment. AFDC notes that purchase prices and incentives can differ and offers a Vehicle Cost Calculator for broader comparisons. Do not treat a fuel-only result as a verdict on total cost of ownership.
It is useful to label the result precisely: “estimated annual energy cost” or “energy cost per mile,” rather than simply “vehicle cost.” A charging-cost comparison does not account for a vehicle’s purchase price or financing, and the cost of a home charger is a separate potential expense. If you want to compare ownership costs, include those items as separate inputs rather than silently blending them into a fuel calculation.
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A national electricity figure can provide context, but it is not necessarily your home rate and should not be used as a stand-in for a public charging price. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in a 2026 publication drawing on February 2026 preliminary Electric Power Monthly data, reported a 2025 average retail electricity price of 13.63¢ per kWh across all customer types and 17.30¢ per kWh for residential customers.
The same EIA data put the 2025 annual average retail price across all customer types at 8.20¢ per kWh in North Dakota and 35.72¢ per kWh in Hawaii. These are state averages across customer types, not the rates every household or driver in those states pays. They illustrate why a calculation using one national number may not match an individual bill.
When estimating home charging, look for the rate that applies to your household account, not just an all-customer average or a headline state figure. Customer categories and utility tariffs differ, and a published annual average offers context rather than a personalized quote. If you use an average for a rough estimate, mark it as an assumption and replace it with your actual tariff when you have it.
Electricity pricing can also change with time. EIA says some utilities offer time-of-day pricing, while most consumers pay rates based on seasonal average costs. Check your own utility tariff to see whether the price varies by time or season and whether any time-of-day option applies to your account. Do not assume that charging overnight automatically earns a lower rate.
Rank #2
- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations.
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features. Note: WiFi is needed for certain functionalities and troubleshooting steps if connectivity issues arise.
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations.
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable.
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and requires a 20A or 80A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter.
If a utility does offer time-of-day pricing, use the tariff terms that apply to your account and the hours when you expect to charge. A lower overnight rate is relevant only if your plan actually offers it and your charging pattern qualifies. Likewise, seasonal rates may mean a single month’s bill is not representative of a full year. For a more realistic annual estimate, use rates that reflect the periods in which charging will occur, if those rates are available to you.
Home charging and public charging have different prices
For an EV charged at home, use the electricity rate that actually applies to the household and, if applicable, the time at which the vehicle charges. A public charger’s price is a separate input. AFDC says drivers can normally expect public stations—especially DC fast chargers—to cost more than home electricity. Public charging providers may bill by session, by time connected, or by the energy consumed. Check the station’s price and billing method rather than substituting your residential rate.
For a vehicle that uses both home and public charging, calculate the two portions separately, then add them. For example, if you know the share of energy obtained at each price, multiply the energy used at home by the home rate and the energy obtained publicly by the applicable station price. Avoid using a simple average of two rates unless it reflects the actual share of charging at each price.
A practical comparison worksheet should therefore record not only an electricity price, but also its source: residential utility tariff, public station price, or an explicitly labeled average assumption. Note the public charging billing method as well. A price per session or per hour cannot be treated as a per-kWh rate without the information needed to translate it; compare it using the provider’s stated terms rather than assuming that every public charger bills the same way.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf you do not yet know your exact charging mix, calculate more than one scenario instead of presenting a single number as certain. One scenario can use the home rate, and another can account for the public charging prices and shares you expect. This makes visible how reliance on public charging affects the estimate without claiming a universal price or savings amount. The actual result still depends on your vehicle’s consumption and the charging prices you encounter.
AFDC’s illustrative charging figure
AFDC’s consumer page, reviewed in 2026, gives an example in which 100 miles of EV range costs $2.46 at 12.3¢ per kWh. That is an illustration based on AFDC’s stated electricity-price assumption; it is not the 2025 national residential average, a guaranteed charge for every EV, or a quote for public charging. Use your vehicle’s energy use and your own applicable price to calculate your result.
The distinction between an illustration and a personal estimate matters: the 12.3¢ assumption is not the EIA’s reported 2025 average residential price of 17.30¢ per kWh. Nor does the example mean all EVs use the same amount of electricity over 100 miles. AFDC’s number is useful as a clearly identified example, but a personalized estimate should start with the model-specific consumption figure and the rate or rates relevant to the driver.
Rank #3
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car.
- PLUG IN, NO HARDWIRING: Level 2 charger delivers up to 40A to fully charge most EVs overnight. Plugs into a 240V, 4-prong NEMA 14-50 outlet (the RV/range type - NOT a dryer outlet) on a dedicated 50A circuit. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that you have the right outlet.
- CONTROL & SAVE FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start/stop charging, set speed (6-40A), get reminders, and track energy use and cost. Schedule off-peak overnight charging to cut your electric bill. Requires 2.4 GHz WiFi.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
What the available vehicle examples show—and what they do not
AFDC’s page, reviewed in 2026, lists sample annual fuel costs of $650 for a 2023 Kia Niro Electric and $1,100 for a 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid. These are dated examples for model-year 2023 vehicles, not current quotes, a universal result, or a matched-vehicle guarantee for every driver. Your annual energy cost changes with mileage, electricity and gasoline prices, vehicle efficiency, and the mix of home and public charging.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Because the example gives annual amounts rather than the underlying prices and charging assumptions needed for your own calculation, do not use its dollar difference as a forecast. Treat it as an illustration that costs can differ between named models under the assumptions used for AFDC’s sample, then calculate your own comparison using current local prices and official vehicle data.
The named models are more informative than an unspecified “typical vehicle,” but a model-year example still cannot settle what a particular driver will pay. Annual miles matter: the same cost per mile produces a larger annual energy bill at higher mileage. Local gasoline and electricity prices matter too, and an EV owner who relies more on public charging may face a different result from one who charges at home. Keep the example’s model year and the date of AFDC’s page in view when citing it.
Calculate your own annual energy costs
First choose the annual distance you want to compare. Then collect the inputs below for each vehicle. Keep the distance identical, and record where each price came from and when you checked it; electricity tariffs and gasoline prices can change.
- Choose the vehicles and distance. Record the specific EV and gasoline model, and the annual mileage you want to test. Use model-specific efficiency figures from FuelEconomy.gov rather than an unspecified average.
- Find the EV’s electricity use. Use the vehicle’s official electricity-consumption figure, preferably in kWh per mile or kWh per 100 miles, and convert to kWh per mile if necessary.
- Find the prices you will actually pay. Use the applicable home electricity tariff for home charging and the station’s posted price for public charging. For the gasoline vehicle, use a local price per gallon. If rates vary by time or season, apply the tariff terms relevant to your charging.
- Account for charging location. If you charge both at home and in public, calculate the energy cost for each portion using that portion’s price. Add the portions to get the EV’s energy cost.
- Calculate each vehicle’s cost per mile. Multiply the EV’s kWh per mile by the applicable electricity price or blended charging cost. Divide the gasoline price per gallon by the car’s mpg.
- Multiply by annual miles. Multiply each cost-per-mile result by the same annual distance. The difference is an estimate of annual energy-cost difference under the inputs you chose, not a lifetime or ownership-cost saving.
Before calculating, decide what the result is meant to answer. If the question is “What will I spend on energy for this distance?”, use energy prices and efficiency. If the question is “Which car costs less to own?”, energy is only one part of the comparison; purchase price, financing or lease costs, insurance, maintenance, taxes, incentives, and any home charging installation cost need their own entries. AFDC’s Vehicle Cost Calculator can help with a broader comparison.
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For mixed charging, think of the EV’s annual use as portions with different prices. If a known share of its electricity comes from home charging and another share from public stations, apply each price to the energy in that portion and add the resulting costs. Do not simply average a home rate and a public price unless the average is weighted to reflect how much energy is obtained at each. If public charging is priced by time or session, keep the provider’s billing terms visible rather than representing them as a residential per-kWh tariff.
A comparison worksheet can keep the assumptions visible:
Rank #4
- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and plugs into a 240V outlet with a 14-50 receptacle, requiring a 40A or 50A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter
| Input | Battery-electric vehicle | Gasoline vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Specific make, model, and model year | Specific make, model, and model year |
| Efficiency | Official electricity use in kWh per mile | Official fuel economy in mpg |
| Energy price | Home rate and public charging price, as applicable | Local gasoline price per gallon |
| Charging mix | Share of energy charged at home and in public, if applicable | Not applicable |
| Annual distance | Use the same number of miles for both | |
| Energy cost per mile | kWh per mile × applicable electricity cost per kWh | Gasoline price per gallon ÷ mpg |
| Annual energy cost | Cost per mile × annual miles | Cost per mile × annual miles |
| Other ownership costs | Keep purchase, financing or lease, insurance, maintenance, taxes, incentives, and charging equipment separate | |
As a final check, compare like with like: named models, the same distance, prices that reflect where energy is purchased, and the same cost category. If you show a national or state average alongside your result, identify it as context rather than presenting it as the reader’s own rate. Showing the assumptions makes it easier to update the estimate when a tariff, gasoline price, or driving pattern changes.
Plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids are different cases
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can use electricity and gasoline. Its energy cost depends on the portion of driving done using electricity versus gasoline, as well as the prices and efficiency applicable to each. Estimate the electric and gasoline portions separately and add them; labeling the car only “electric” or only “gasoline” can misstate its operating cost.
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For a PHEV, keep the two kinds of energy distinct in the calculation. Use the applicable electricity price for the portion driven on electricity, and the local gasoline price and vehicle mpg for the gasoline portion. Add those costs over the same distance or period. The result depends on the vehicle’s electric/gasoline driving mix, so a comparison that assumes all driving uses one fuel may not describe the way that PHEV is actually used.
A conventional hybrid is not a plug-in EV. It uses gasoline and recovers some energy through braking; it does not take electricity from a household outlet or public charging station. Compare its gasoline use with the gasoline vehicle’s, rather than assigning it a home-charging rate. AFDC’s consumer information distinguishes BEVs, PHEVs, and conventional hybrids.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Home charging equipment: an optional cost, not an automatic one
AFDC describes Level 1 home charging through a 120-volt household outlet and Level 2 equipment using 240 volts. The Level 1 cordset comes with the vehicle, and manufacturers can recommend Level 2 options. A Level 2 home EV charger is optional equipment; whether it is useful depends on the vehicle, charging needs, and home setup. Do not add its cost to every EV energy calculation as if every driver buys one.
AFDC gives a typical Level 2 equipment-only price range of $500–$4,000 before installation and incentives. That is not an installed-price estimate. Electrical-service upgrades, permits, and local requirements can affect the total. AFDC recommends checking with the utility and an electrical contractor about the home’s electrical service, local requirements, and costs. Treat equipment and installation as separate ownership-cost inputs rather than as part of the price per kWh.
Before choosing home EV charging equipment, check the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation and the home’s electrical service. Ask the utility and an electrical contractor about applicable local requirements, permits, potential service upgrades, and installation costs. Equipment price alone does not tell you what a Level 2 setup will cost to install. Because the equipment is optional and the installed price depends on the home, include it only when it applies to the ownership scenario you are comparing.
Best Value
- WORKS WITH EVERY TESLA + OTHER EVs: Built-in Tesla-style plug (NACS standard) connects directly to Tesla Model S, 3, X and Y - and any EV with a NACS port - no adapter needed. The plug even has a button to pop open your Tesla’s charge port. Non-Tesla J1772 vehicles can charge with a NACS-to-J1772 adapter (not included). The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway.
- HARDWIRED - PROFESSIONAL INSTALL: This Level 2 charger is hardwired (not plug-in), so a licensed electrician installs it per National Electrical Code. It delivers up to 48A on a dedicated 60A, 240V circuit - enough to charge most EVs fully overnight. Want more speed? Your can set DIP switches 4 and 5 to unlock 50A on a dedicated 70A circuit. Before ordering, check your car’s port type and that your electrical panel can support the circuit.
- CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start and stop charging, set the charging speed (6-48A), get reminders, and track how much energy and money each charge uses. Requires a 2.4 GHz home WiFi network.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
Why a single savings number can mislead
- Different vehicles: efficiency varies by model, so comparing an efficient EV with an inefficient gasoline vehicle—or the reverse—does not isolate the effect of the energy source.
- Different prices: a household tariff, a public station’s price, and a national average are not interchangeable. Public DC fast charging commonly costs more than home electricity, according to AFDC.
- Different driving and charging patterns: annual mileage affects annual cost, and a PHEV’s result depends on how much it is driven on electricity versus gasoline.
- Different cost categories: energy spending is not the same as total ownership cost. A calculation that leaves out purchase price, insurance, maintenance, taxes, incentives, or charger installation does not compare those costs.
AFDC’s consumer page also displays average maintenance costs of $0.061 per mile for all-electric vehicles, $0.090 per mile for plug-in hybrids, and $0.101 per mile for gasoline vehicles. The chart does not state a publication year, so these figures should not be treated as current maintenance estimates. They are not included in the energy-cost formulas above.
Another common source of confusion is mixing an annual average with a particular charging situation. EIA’s state figures cover all customer types, whereas a household bill reflects its own account and tariff. Public stations set prices and billing terms separately. Similarly, an annual model example is not a forecast for a driver whose mileage, local prices, vehicle, or charging mix differs. A number is useful only when its date, scope, and assumptions match the question being asked.
What to check before relying on the result
- Confirm that both vehicles are identified by model and model year and use official efficiency figures.
- Use the electricity rate for your account and the actual public charging prices you expect to encounter.
- Check whether your utility’s tariff varies by time or season; do not assume an overnight discount.
- Use a local gasoline price and the same annual mileage for both vehicles.
- Keep energy cost separate from equipment, installation, and other ownership costs.
The EIA’s 2025 electricity averages and state range, published in 2026 from February 2026 preliminary data, are useful context, not personalized bills. AFDC’s $2.46-per-100-miles illustration and its model-year 2023 annual-cost examples are likewise examples with specific dates and assumptions, not a substitute for a calculation using your own vehicles and prices.
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Is charging an electric car cheaper than gasoline?
It can be, but the answer depends on the EV’s electricity use, the gasoline vehicle’s mpg, local electricity and gasoline prices, and whether charging is at home or in public. Compare the two vehicles’ energy cost over the same distance using the prices that apply to you.
How do I calculate EV charging cost per mile?
Multiply the vehicle’s electricity use in kWh per mile by the electricity price per kWh. If the efficiency figure is in kWh per 100 miles, divide by 100 first. For charging at multiple prices, calculate each portion separately and add the costs.
Is public EV charging more expensive than charging at home?
AFDC says drivers can normally expect public charging, especially DC fast charging, to cost more than home electricity. Prices and billing methods vary: a provider may charge per session, per hour, or by energy consumed, so check the station’s posted terms.
Does charging overnight always cost less?
No. Some utilities offer time-of-day pricing, but EIA says most consumers pay rates based on seasonal average costs. Check your own utility tariff; an overnight discount applies only if your account’s plan provides one.
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How much does a Level 2 home EV charger cost?
AFDC gives a typical equipment-only range of $500–$4,000 before installation and incentives. That is not an installed-price estimate: permits, local requirements, and electrical-service upgrades can affect the total. Check with your utility and an electrical contractor.
How do I compare a plug-in hybrid with a gasoline car?
Estimate the PHEV’s electricity and gasoline portions separately, using the applicable electricity price for electric driving and local gasoline price and mpg for gasoline driving. Add the portions over the same distance. A conventional hybrid is different: it uses gasoline and does not plug in.
The Bottom Line
There is no universal EV-versus-gas savings number. Compare named vehicles over the same distance, using official efficiency figures, your actual home and public charging prices, and local gasoline prices. Keep energy costs distinct from charger installation and other ownership costs, and label averages or dated examples as context rather than personal estimates.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
