How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV? A Comprehensive Breakdown
May 26, 2026
How much does Home EV Charging cost?
Given an average electricity rate of $0.18/kWh, adding 100 kWh to an EV battery has an average cost of $18. With an average battery size of 72 kWh, a full charge costs $12.96 by recharging at home.
Charging Cost ($) = Electric Vehicle Battery Size (kWh) x Electricity Rate ($ per kWh)
EV owners can expect to get three to four miles per kWh of charge.
Depending on the make and model of your EV, the cost per mile driven generally starts at $0.05 and decreases if you have a more effective model or live in a state with lower-than-average electricity rates.
Tip: EV owners who take advantage of time-of-use rates by charging during off-peak hours are able to further reduce the cost of EV charging.
On average, Americans drive 13,489 miles a year. For EV owners, this average translates into a cost around $693 when charging at home.
How much does Public EV Charging cost?
Public EV charging stations charge an average of $0.53/kWh for DC fast (per Paren) and $0.25–$0.40/kWh for Level 2.
- Based on the national average of 13,489 miles driven yearly, public Level 2 charging stations cost $964.
- DC fast charging costs approximately $2,043 (based on the same 13,489 annual miles driven).
| Fuel type | Energy used / year | Unit price | Annual fuel cost | Savings vs gasoline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | ~540 gallons | $4.48 / gal | ~$2,420 | — |
| Diesel | ~450 gallons | $5.64 / gal | ~$2,538 | −$118 |
| Electric – Public Level 2 Charging | ~3,854 kWh | $0.25 / kWh | ~$964 | +$1,456 |
| Electric – Public DC Fast Charging | ~3,854 kWh | $0.53 / kWh | ~$2,043 | +$377 |
Note that pricing can vary based on location, charging network, and the type of charger used. Local energy prices and regulations are also important factors to consider.
Public EV charging is convenient when traveling, but the cost can be nearly three times higher compared to at-home charging. A full charge on a 72kW battery costs $18 for Level 2 charging and $38.16 for DC fast charging.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home or at a public charging station?
At home is the most affordable way to charge an EV, with a price difference of at least $0.07 per kWh, and often significantly more, when compared to public Level 2 charging. It can be as little as one-third of the cost when compared to public DC fast charging.
However, fast charging can offer a more convenient experience. Since Level 2 charging requires anywhere from four to ten hours to fully charge a battery, it’s only a viable option for charging your vehicle whenever you can leave your EV parked for several hours at a time.
| Metric | Level 2 Home Charging | Level 2 Public Charging | DC Fast Public Charging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost per kWh | $0.18 | $0.25 | $0.53 |
| Average Cost per Charge (72 kWh) | $12.96 | $18.00 | $38.16 |
| Annual Charging Cost (13,489 miles) | $693.72 | $963.50 | $2,144 |
How much money can you save in one year by driving an EV?
Driving an EV can save the average driver approximately $1,726 per year in fuel costs. For someone traveling 13,500 miles annually, electricity costs roughly $694 compared to $2,420 for gasoline. Total savings often exceed this when including lower routine maintenance costs.
In practical terms, switching to electric cuts fuel spending by roughly two‑thirds, making day‑to‑day driving significantly less expensive and more predictable from year to year.
| Fuel type | Energy used / year | Unit price | Annual fuel cost | Savings vs gasoline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | ~540 gallons | $4.48 / gal | ~$2,420 | — |
| Diesel | ~450 gallons | $5.64 / gal | ~$2,538 | –$118 |
| Electric (72 kWh battery) | ~3,854 kWh | $0.18 / kWh | ~$694 | +$1,726 |
Faster Charging = Higher Rates
While fast charging can be desirable for immediate needs, it is uncommon to find a Level 3 charger at a residence due to a variety of factors, including the type of electricity required, direct current instead of alternating current, the long-term impact on the EV battery capacity, and the higher price associated with that method.
Level 3 chargers are more commonly found in commercial settings, where fast charging is seen as an occasional convenience rather than a daily occurrence.
Given that you’ll encounter unpredictable rates and lower the life of your EV battery overall by relying on Level 3 public charging, you may find yourself asking not just about today’s costs but projected ones as well — how much does it cost to charge EV batteries over many years and the resulting cost of replacing your vehicle’s battery as a result of battery degradation?
The answer is simple — it may be time to consider installing a charging solution at home, where you can adopt a much more user-friendly and cost-effective Level 2 EV charging approach that is convenient for everyday use.
Bottom Line: Charging At Home Is The Lowest Cost Solution
When it comes to safely installing an EV charging station in your home, no one is more trusted or recommended than Qmerit.
As North America’s largest network of certified EV charger installers, every Qmerit electrician is fully licensed, background-checked, insured, and properly trained in EV charging station installation so you can rest easy in knowing your installation is done right and backed by the Qmerit Peace of Mind Guarantee.
Recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike, and with over 770,000 EV charging stations installed across the U.S. and Canada, no one is more experienced in energy transition technologies than Qmerit.
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