how much do electric car charging points cost

Let’s talk dollars and cents about keeping your EV juiced up. Plugging in overnight at home isn’t just convenient – it’s typically the most budget-friendly way to power your ride. While gas prices do their unpredictable dance and electricity rates vary by zip code, month after month, charging an EV usually costs less than feeding a gas-guzzler premium fuel.

Sure, you might find some free charging points around town, but here’s the reality check: public charging points often hit your wallet harder than your home outlet. This brings us to the million-dollar question every potential EV buyer asks: “How much is this going to cost me?”

If you’re weighing an EV against a traditional car, doing your homework on the fuel vs. electricity math will pay off. Pro tip: Many new electric models come with free charging credits at public stations, and most charging networks offer membership plans that can save frequent drivers serious cash.

We tapped John Voelcker, veteran auto journalist and EV industry analyst, to cut through the noise. After hearing every argument in the book – from EV evangelists to gas-powered loyalists – he’s got the straight facts on how charging costs really stack up against trips to the pump.

What Does EV Charging Really Cost Per kWh?‌

Let’s break down the math behind EV charging costs in plain American terms. Industry expert John Voelcker gives us this handy rule of thumb: “Most EVs deliver 3-4 miles per kWh consumed. To estimate your monthly charging bill, just divide your total miles by 3 to get your kWh needs, then multiply by your local electricity rate. Nine times out of ten, you’ll be spending less than you would at the gas pump.”

Here’s how this plays out with real-world numbers: The average American drives about 1,207 miles monthly (that’s 14,489 miles annually). For an EV driver, this translates to roughly 402 kWh of electricity. At the current national average residential rate of 16.44¢/kWh, that’s about $66.09 per month for home charging – less than half what most drivers spend on gasoline.

But here’s where it gets interesting: If you’re relying on DC fast charging points on the road at 50¢/kWh (typical for public stations), that same monthly mileage would cost you around $201. That’s why smart EV owners do most of their charging overnight at home, saving the premium public chargers for road trips when needed.

Read: What is the Best Time to Charge EV at Home?

Is charging really more cost effective than filling up?

With current gas prices at $3.17 per gallon (AAA data), it costs $38 to fill up a family sedan with a 12-gallon tank. Assuming your ride can achieve 30mpg in hybrid driving, that tank of gas will go 360 miles. Based on the average American’s 1,207-mile-per-month commute, that means three fill-ups per month, totaling $114.

Now change the scenario: for the same amount of miles driven, the bill magically drops to about $66 if you refill at home at a charging station. But don’t jump to conclusions – most SUVs and sedans on the market don’t get the ideal 30mpg real-world (after all, traffic jams and air conditioning aren’t for show), which means that the actual gas/electricity difference could be even greater.

Of course, there are variables in this comparison: gas prices fluctuate like a roller coaster, and electricity prices vary from state to state. But as Consumer Reports has proven, EV owners’ “at-home charging strategies” can save real money. Here’s a practical tip: I always calculate the range buffer before each trip, and reserve 10% more safety space on top of the necessary charging capacity, so that I can not only avoid being “cut off” by high-priced public charging piles, but also maximize the economic benefits of charging at home. (Jason’s money-saving tips from senior automotive editor)

Pro Tip: Want to accurately calculate the difference between your fuel and electricity prices? Remember this formula: (monthly mileage ÷ actual vehicle fuel consumption x fuel price) vs (monthly electricity consumption x home electricity price). Prepare to be amazed by the calculations!

Costs of Charging an EV at Home

Electricity bills are like Texas Hold’em – you win or lose depending on which table you play at (region), what time of day you bet (time-of-day rates), and even the weather, which is the “wild card” that affects the final hand. But there’s a sure-fire strategy: charging at midnight! Energy expert Volker threw out hard core data: 90% of electric car owners in the United States charging gun inserted in their own garage, “after all, late at night when the load on the power grid is low, the price of electricity may be cheaper than the Starbucks medium latte”.

Want to accurately plumb the price of electricity? Look at your location Buff/Debuff first:

🔌 Colorado Players Easy Mode: 15 cents/kWh ≈ Cost to fill Model 3 <$8

🔌 Massachusetts Players Inferno Mode: 30 cents/kWh ≈ Double Storm on same model

Pro Tip: Most electric utilities have “dark benefit” rate packages, like Costco member-only discounts. Prospective car owners are advised to unlock their local power authority’s Time-of-Use Rates in advance; after all, one charge in Boston is enough to charge twice in Denver plus buy an In-N-Out Burger. (Whisper it: my home charger’s monthly electric bill is 25% less than the cost of a Netflix membership.)

STATE	RANK	AVG. COST RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICITY (CENTS/kWh)	COST TO CHARGE SMALLER BATTERY	COST TO CHARGE AVERAGE BATTERY	COST TO CHARGE LARGER BATTERY
Alaska	44	24.77	$9.66	$18.08	$26.50
Arizona	31	15.27	$5.96	$11.15	$16.34
Alabama	33	15.78	$6.15	$11.52	$16.88
California	48	31.66	$12.35	$23.11	$33.88
Arkansas	6	11.6	$4.52	$8.47	$12.41
Connecticut	50	33.25	$12.97	$24.27	$35.58
Colorado	30	15.18	$5.92	$11.08	$16.24
Dist. of Columbia	41	19.73	$7.69	$14.40	$21.11
Florida	29	14.98	$5.84	$10.94	$16.03
Delaware	32	15.65	$6.10	$11.42	$16.75
Hawaii	51	42.69	$16.65	$31.16	$45.68
Georgia	17	13.58	$5.30	$9.91	$14.53
Illinois	35	16.49	$6.43	$12.04	$17.64
Idaho	3	10.95	$4.27	$7.99	$11.72
Iowa	11	12.21	$4.76	$8.91	$13.06
Indiana	26	14.74	$5.75	$10.76	$15.77
Kentucky	15	13.01	$5.07	$9.50	$13.92
Kansas	18	13.62	$5.31	$9.94	$14.57
Maine	46	26.26	$10.24	$19.17	$28.10
Louisiana	9	11.73	$4.57	$8.56	$12.55
Massachusetts	47	30.44	$11.87	$22.22	$32.57
Maryland	38	18.32	$7.14	$13.37	$19.60
Minnesota	24	14.62	$5.70	$10.67	$15.64
Mississippi	16	13.23	$5.16	$9.66	$14.16
Michigan	39	18.91	$7.37	$13.80	$20.23
Montana	7	11.62	$4.53	$8.48	$12.43
Missouri	4	11.25	$4.39	$8.21	$12.04
Nevada	21	14.35	$5.60	$10.48	$15.35
Nebraska	2	10.89	$4.25	$7.95	$11.65
New Jersey	40	19.7	$7.68	$14.38	$21.08
New Hampshire	43	23.02	$8.98	$16.80	$24.63
New York	45	26.2	$10.22	$19.13	$28.03
New Mexico	23	14.61	$5.70	$10.67	$15.63
North Dakota	1	10.2	$3.98	$7.45	$10.91
North Carolina	19	14.14	$5.51	$10.32	$15.13
Oklahoma	5	11.59	$4.52	$8.46	$12.40
Oregon	25	14.62	$5.70	$10.67	$15.64
Pennsylvania	37	18.01	$7.02	$13.15	$19.27
Ohio	34	15.85	$6.18	$11.57	$16.96
South Carolina	22	14.41	$5.62	$10.52	$15.42
Rhode Island	49	33.07	$12.90	$24.14	$35.38
Tennessee	14	12.66	$4.94	$9.24	$13.55
South Dakota	10	11.84	$4.62	$8.64	$12.67
Utah	12	12.41	$4.84	$9.06	$13.28
Vermont	42	22.19	$8.65	$16.20	$23.74
Texas	28	14.89	$5.81	$10.87	$15.93
Washington	13	12.48	$4.87	$9.11	$13.35
Virginia	20	14.34	$5.59	$10.47	$15.34
West Virginia	27	14.82	$5.78	$10.82	$15.86
Wyoming	8	11.7	$4.56	$8.54	$12.52
Wisconsin	36	17.48	$6.82	$12.76	$18.70
U.S. Average		16.44	$6.41	$12.00	$17.59

The chart above uses average electricity rates from February 2025, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Battery capacities are based on usable figures listed in the EV Database and rounded to the nearest whole number. For instance, the Nissan Leaf is listed with a 39 kWh battery, the Ford Mustang Mach-E with 73 kWh, and the Polestar 3 Long Range with 107 kWh.

Estimated charging costs were calculated by multiplying each state’s average electricity rate by the usable battery capacity of each EV model.

The Cost of Level 2 and Faster Charging

In the EV charging sector, the cost of public charging facilities varies significantly. The price range for Level 2 charging stations and Level 3 fast-charging systems is wide, which stems from differences in the pricing strategies of different charging operators as well as the uneven development of infrastructure in various regions. In contrast, the cost of home charging stations is relatively easy to predict.

For car owners seeking convenience, installing a Level 2 charging post in a home garage has become a popular choice. The whole set of equipment including installation costs about 2000 U.S. dollars (not counting all kinds of subsidies), although the initial investment is large, but can significantly improve the charging efficiency – charging time can be reduced to half of the ordinary charging. It is worth mentioning that the addition of this type of professional charging equipment can also increase the market value of the property.

In terms of charging standards, the market is currently polarized by technology routes. Public Level 2 charging stations are generally compatible with all brands of EVs, including Tesla models. However, in the field of fast charging, the CHAdeMO standard adopted by Nissan Leaf forms a technological divide with the CCS standard mainly promoted by other brands. It is worth noting that with the gradual opening of Tesla’s NACS charging interface, more car companies will adopt this standard from 2025 onwards, and the industry’s technical standards are moving towards unification.

Consumers are advised to understand in detail the subsidy policies offered by local governments and power companies before installing home charging equipment, as these incentives can effectively reduce the user’s investment in electricity costs.

The faster the charge, the higher the rate

Electric vehicle charging technology exhibits a clear “higher power, faster charging” characteristic. Compared to 240V Level 2 charging equipment for home use, Level 3 fast charging systems are currently deployed in commercial locations rather than private homes due to high construction and maintenance costs.

Tesla dominates the market with its vast Supercharger network, with more than 2,500 stations equipped with about 30,000 charging ports across the United States. Its charging system utilizes a dynamic pricing mechanism that is influenced by multiple factors such as geographic location, time of use, vehicle type, and membership status. Notably, the network has been gradually opened to non-Tesla brands since 2023, and is available to EVs that support the dual protocols of NACS and CCS.

For potential EV buyers, building a home charging infrastructure is the preferred option, but at the same time, it is necessary to grasp the distribution of public charging resources in the neighborhood. As industry insiders point out, “Workplace charging services are becoming more popular… Experienced car owners will take the initiative to identify the charging policies of neighboring charging stations.”

It is important to be wary of the fact that certain commercial establishments, while offering free charging services, may be charging in disguise through high parking fees. But as infrastructure improves, malls, hotels, and other public places are offering truly free charging options, and the convenience of charging continues to improve.

Electric Vehicle Charging Interface Selection Guide

Modern fast charging stations commonly adopt a dual interface design, similar to the service model of gas stations providing different standard fuel guns at the same time. This design allows EVs with different charging standards to find a suitable charging solution.

In terms of charging costs, there are a variety of billing options for Level 2 charging stations: from completely free to hourly or per-charge billing. In order to reduce the cost of use, major charging operators have introduced membership discount programs, which are especially important for those who are unable to install a home charging station. Electrify America, for example, has a membership rate of $0.64/kWh at a supermarket site in Atlanta that takes into account geographic location, membership level, and vehicle charging performance, while major operators such as ChargePoint and EVgo also have their own special features.

Notably, there are significant time-of-day differences in charging costs. An EVgo site charges only $0.41/kWh during the nighttime low period (0:00-4:00), while it rises to $0.59 during the daytime peak period (11:00-20:00). Vehicle owners are advised to use professional apps such as PlugShare to not only check the location of charging stations, but also get real-time usage status and operation suggestions shared by other users, which can dramatically improve the charging experience.

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