EV Charging Cost Calculator
Enter your battery size, charge level, electricity price and charger. See what one charge costs, the range it adds, the cost per mile and per km, how long it takes and how much you save compared with gasoline.
How to use the EV Charging Cost Calculator
- Enter the usable battery size or pick a typical size class.
- Set the charge levels with the sliders, for example 20% to 80%.
- Enter your electricity price per kWh from your bill and, if you have one, an off-peak night rate.
- Choose the charger and your car's efficiency and monthly distance.
- Read the results: cost per charge, cost per mile and km, charging time, monthly cost and savings versus a gas car.
EV charging cost formula
energy added (kWh) = battery size × (end % − start %)
energy from the grid = energy added ÷ charging efficiency
cost per charge = grid energy × price per kWh
cost per mile = price per kWh ÷ efficiency ÷ miles per kWh
Worked example: a 60 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% takes 60 × 0.6 = 36 kWh. With 90% charging efficiency, the meter records 36 ÷ 0.9 = 40 kWh. At $0.16 per kWh the charge costs 40 × 0.16 = $6.40. A car that does 3.5 mi/kWh gains 36 × 3.5 = 126 miles of range, so each mile costs 6.40 ÷ 126 = $0.051.
Charging time by charger type
Approximate time to add 40 kWh from the grid (about 20% to 80% of a 60 kWh battery) when the car can accept the full power:
| Charger | Power | Time for 40 kWh | Range per hour (3.5 mi/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 120 V outlet | 1.9 kW | about 21 h | about 6 mi |
| 230 V outlet / 16 A | 3.7 kW | about 10.8 h | about 12 mi |
| Home wallbox, single phase | 7.4 kW | about 5.4 h | about 23 mi |
| Wallbox, three phase | 11 kW | about 3.6 h | about 35 mi |
| Public AC, three phase | 22 kW | about 1.8 h (if the car accepts 22 kW) | about 69 mi |
| DC fast | 50 kW | about 50–60 min | – |
| DC fast | 150 kW | about 20–30 min | – |
Range per hour assumes 90% efficiency. Real DC times depend on the car's maximum charging rate, battery temperature and state of charge.
Typical EV efficiency
| Vehicle class | mi/kWh | kWh/100 mi | kWh/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small hatchback | 4.0 | 25 | 15.5 |
| Mid-size sedan | 3.5–4.0 | 25–29 | 15.5–18 |
| Compact SUV / crossover | 3.0–3.5 | 29–33 | 18–21 |
| Large SUV | 2.5–3.0 | 33–40 | 21–25 |
| Pickup truck | 2.0–2.5 | 40–50 | 25–31 |
Your car's trip computer shows the real figure. Winter driving, high speeds and roof boxes can cut efficiency by a third, which raises the cost per mile by the same amount.
Ways to lower your charging cost
- Charge off-peak. Many utilities offer EV or time-of-use tariffs with night rates half the daytime price or less. Schedule charging in the car or the wallbox app.
- Charge at home when you can. DC fast charging usually costs two to three times more per kWh than home electricity.
- Use a wallbox instead of a standard outlet. Level 2 charging is faster and wastes less energy than a 120 V outlet.
- Precondition while plugged in. Heating or cooling the cabin on grid power keeps the battery for driving.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
Multiply the energy you put in by your electricity price and allow for about 10% charging losses. Filling a 60 kWh battery from empty takes about 67 kWh from the grid, so at $0.16 per kWh it costs roughly $10.70. A typical 20% to 80% top-up of the same battery costs about $6.40.
How do I calculate EV cost per mile?
Divide the electricity price by the charging efficiency and by the car's efficiency in miles per kWh. At $0.16 per kWh, 90% efficiency and 3.5 mi/kWh, that is 0.16 ÷ 0.9 ÷ 3.5 = about $0.051 per mile, or $5.08 per 100 miles.
Is charging an EV cheaper than buying gas?
Usually, yes. A 30 MPG car with fuel at $3.50 per gallon costs about $0.117 per mile, while the EV above costs about $0.051 per mile on home electricity, less than half. Public DC fast charging can cost two to three times more than home charging, which narrows the gap.
Why does charging use more electricity than the battery holds?
Some energy is lost as heat in the charger, cables and battery, and the car uses power for cooling or heating the battery while charging. Home AC charging is typically 85 to 90% efficient, and charging from a standard 120 V outlet is often less efficient.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
Divide the energy needed by the charging power. Adding 40 kWh from the grid takes about 5.4 hours on a 7.4 kW home wallbox and about 21 hours on a 1.9 kW standard outlet. DC fast chargers can add the same energy in 15 to 40 minutes, but they slow down a lot above 80%.
Why do people charge to 80% instead of 100%?
Charging slows down sharply above about 80% because the battery management system reduces the power to protect the cells. Many manufacturers also recommend 80 to 90% for daily use to reduce battery wear, keeping 100% for long trips.
What is a good kWh per 100 miles?
Efficient small EVs use around 25 to 28 kWh per 100 miles (about 3.6 to 4 mi/kWh), mid-size cars and crossovers about 28 to 35 kWh, and large SUVs and pickups 40 to 50 kWh per 100 miles. Cold weather, highway speed and heating can raise consumption by 20 to 40%.