EV Charging Cost Calculator
Free EV charging cost calculator for US electric vehicle owners. Compare Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging costs with Tesla, Electrify America, ChargePoint, and EVgo network rates.
EV Charging Cost Calculator
Level 1 uses standard 120V outlet (~1.2 kW). Adds 3-5 miles of range per hour.
Enter charging details to
calculate your charging cost
What is the EV Charging Cost Calculator?
The EV Charging Cost Calculator helps you estimate the cost of charging your electric vehicle at home or at public charging stations. It supports all charging levels used in the United States: Level 1 (120V standard outlet), Level 2 (240V dedicated charger), and DC Fast Charging (public stations).
Whether you’re charging at home overnight or using Tesla Superchargers, Electrify America, ChargePoint, or EVgo on the road, this calculator provides accurate cost estimates based on current US electricity and charging network rates.
When to Use This Calculator
- Planning a road trip – Estimate DC fast charging costs along your route with different networks
- Comparing home charging options – See the time difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging
- Budgeting monthly costs – Calculate your expected charging expenses based on driving habits
- Evaluating charging networks – Compare pricing between Tesla, Electrify America, ChargePoint, and EVgo
- Considering an EV purchase – Understand real-world charging costs before buying
Key Features
- 4 Calculation Modes – Level 1 Home, Level 2 Home, Public Charging, and Monthly Estimate for different scenarios.
- US Charging Networks – Presets for Tesla Supercharger, Electrify America, ChargePoint, and EVgo with current rates.
- Level Comparison – Automatically shows charging time difference between Level 1 and Level 2.
- Rate Guide – Reference US average electricity rates for home and public charging.
- Calculation History – Your last 10 calculations are saved locally for quick reference.
- Copy Results – Easily copy your calculation results to share or save.
How to Use
- Select a mode – Choose “L1 Home”, “L2 Home”, “Public”, or “Monthly” based on your charging scenario.
- For home charging – Enter the energy amount (kWh) and your electricity rate ($/kWh).
- For public charging – Select a network or enter a custom rate, then enter the energy amount.
- For monthly estimates – Enter your monthly driving distance, EV efficiency, and the ratio of home vs. public charging.
- View results – See your total cost, charging time, and cost per mile instantly.
Understanding Charging Levels
Level 1 Charging (120V)
- Uses standard household outlet (no installation required)
- Power: ~1.2 kW (12 amps at 120V)
- Adds 3-5 miles of range per hour
- Best for: PHEVs, overnight charging for low-mileage drivers
- Full charge time: 40-50+ hours for most EVs
Level 2 Charging (240V)
- Requires 240V outlet or dedicated EVSE installation
- Power: 3.8-11.5 kW (16-48 amps at 240V)
- Adds 12-30+ miles of range per hour
- Best for: Daily driving, most EV owners
- Full charge time: 4-10 hours for most EVs
DC Fast Charging (Level 3)
- Found at public charging stations
- Power: 50-350 kW
- Adds 100-200+ miles in 20-30 minutes
- Best for: Road trips, when you need a quick charge
- Cost: $0.40-0.60/kWh (2-4x home charging cost)
Major US Charging Networks (2025 Rates)
Tesla Supercharger
- Standard rate: $0.40-0.50/kWh (varies by location)
- Member rate: ~$0.33/kWh ($12.99/month membership)
- Idle fee: $0.50/min if station is 50%+ full
- Now open to non-Tesla EVs at many locations
Electrify America
- Pass (free): $0.48/kWh
- Pass+ ($4/month): $0.36/kWh (25% savings)
- Per-kWh pricing in most states
ChargePoint
- Pricing set by station owners
- Typical range: $0.20-0.40/kWh
- Some stations are free
EVgo
- Pay As You Go: ~$0.45/kWh + $0.99 session fee
- Plus ($6.99/month): ~$0.28/kWh
- PlusMax ($12.99/month): ~$0.20/kWh
Popular EV Efficiency (EPA Rated)
Efficiency is measured in miles per kWh. Higher numbers mean more range per charge dollar spent.
Most Efficient EVs
- Tesla Model 3 Standard: 4.2 mi/kWh
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range: 3.8-4.0 mi/kWh
- Tesla Model Y: 3.3-4.3 mi/kWh
- Hyundai Ioniq 6: 4.0 mi/kWh
- Chevy Bolt EV: 3.1-3.4 mi/kWh
SUVs and Trucks
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: 2.7-3.1 mi/kWh
- Rivian R1S: 2.3-2.6 mi/kWh
- Ford F-150 Lightning: 2.0-2.2 mi/kWh
Note: Real-world efficiency varies 10-40% based on driving speed, temperature, terrain, and HVAC use. Winter driving can significantly reduce efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is home charging cheaper than public charging?
Yes, significantly. Home charging at the national average rate of $0.17/kWh is 2-4 times cheaper than DC fast charging at $0.40-0.60/kWh. For a 60 kWh battery, home charging costs about $10, while DC fast charging could cost $24-36. Using off-peak electricity rates ($0.08-0.12/kWh) makes home charging even more economical.
Should I get a Level 2 charger at home?
It depends on your driving habits. Level 1 (120V) adds about 4 miles of range per hour, which is roughly 40-50 miles overnight. If you drive less than 40 miles daily, Level 1 may be sufficient. However, Level 2 charges 5-8x faster, fully charging most EVs overnight in 4-8 hours. For most EV owners, Level 2 provides much more flexibility and is recommended.
Are charging network memberships worth it?
If you regularly use public DC fast charging, memberships often pay for themselves. For example, Electrify America Pass+ costs $4/month but saves $0.12/kWh. If you charge 40 kWh per session, you save $4.80 per session—the membership pays for itself with one charge. For occasional public charging (once a month or less), pay-as-you-go rates are fine.
Why do some states charge by the minute instead of kWh?
In about 20 US states, only regulated utilities can sell electricity by the kWh. Charging networks in these states must bill by time instead. This is changing—30 states now allow per-kWh pricing. California requires per-kWh pricing and mandates that chargers display energy delivered, similar to gas pumps showing gallons.
What is Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing?
Many utilities offer TOU rate plans where electricity costs less during off-peak hours (typically 9 PM – 7 AM). Peak rates can be 2-3x higher than off-peak. For EV owners, this means charging overnight can cut your costs by 30-50%. Some utilities offer special EV rate plans with super off-peak rates as low as $0.08/kWh.
How much does it cost to charge an EV per month?
For the average American driving 1,000 miles per month with an EV getting 3.5 mi/kWh, you’d need about 285 kWh. At home rates of $0.17/kWh, that’s about $48/month. With off-peak rates of $0.10/kWh, it could be as low as $29/month. Compare this to $120-150/month for a comparable gas vehicle (30 MPG at $3.50/gallon).
Is my data saved anywhere?
All calculations are performed locally in your browser. Your calculation history is stored only in your browser’s local storage and is never sent to any server. You can clear your history at any time using the “Clear All” button.