How much does it cost to run an electric car?
An electric car costs about $2.20 a day, $66.86 a month and $802 a year at typical use (37 miles a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. An average EV uses about 0.30 kWh per mile from the battery, about 0.33 kWh at the wall with charging losses; 37 miles a day is about 4,500 kWh a year.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120 V) | 1,440 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
| Level 2 (240 V, 30 A) | 7,200 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
| Level 2 (240 V, 48 A) | 11,500 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
At 37 miles a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run an electric car in every state
The same electric car costs $549 a year in North Dakota and $1,940 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $45.79 | $549 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $47.01 | $564 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $47.79 | $574 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $48.28 | $579 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $49.50 | $594 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $49.65 | $596 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $49.91 | $599 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $50.39 | $605 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $50.91 | $611 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $51.44 | $617 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $51.73 | $621 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $51.84 | $622 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $52.07 | $625 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $52.48 | $630 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $52.51 | $630 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $52.77 | $633 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $54.89 | $659 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $54.89 | $659 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $56.08 | $673 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $56.19 | $674 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $56.94 | $683 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $57.20 | $686 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $57.23 | $687 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $57.53 | $690 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $57.60 | $691 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $58.12 | $697 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $59.31 | $712 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $60.28 | $723 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $61.10 | $733 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $61.25 | $735 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $61.62 | $739 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $62.96 | $755 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $66.12 | $793 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $67.82 | $814 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $69.65 | $836 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $69.83 | $838 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $76.93 | $923 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $78.16 | $938 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $78.23 | $939 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $88.38 | $1,061 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $88.45 | $1,061 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $89.94 | $1,079 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $99.12 | $1,189 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $99.79 | $1,197 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $104 | $1,248 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $106 | $1,266 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $109 | $1,305 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $109 | $1,307 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $113 | $1,357 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $123 | $1,471 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $162 | $1,940 |
How to cut the cost
- Charge overnight on your utility's EV or time-of-use rate; off-peak prices are often 50% lower.
- Precondition the cabin while plugged in so heat comes from the grid, not the battery.
- Keep tires at the door-placard pressure; 10 psi low can cut range 3-5%.
- Use Level 2; it wastes less energy than Level 1 (about 10% vs 15% losses).
- Limit daily charge to 80% to improve battery life.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
More efficient than a 120 V cord and charges overnight on off-peak hours.
See options on AmazonKeeps tires at proper pressure for best range.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric car | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Level 1 EV charging | 1,440 | 37 miles a day | $68.88 | $827 |
| Level 2 EV charging | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $54.70 | $656 |
| Tesla Model Y | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $60.78 | $729 |
| E-bike | 100 | 10 miles a day | $1.37 | $16 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $101 | $1,216 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric car per hour?
An electric car drawing 7,200 watts uses 7.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's $1.30 per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 89¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's $3.13.
How much does it cost to run an electric car per month?
At typical use (37 miles a day), an electric car costs about $66.86 a month and $802 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric car use?
Most electric cars use 1,440 to 11,500 watts, depending on the setting (level 1 (120 v) 1,440 W, level 2 (240 v, 30 a) 7,200 W, level 2 (240 v, 48 a) 11,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric car use?
About 12.21 kWh a day and 4,460 kWh a year at typical use (37 miles a day).
Does an electric car use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 4,460 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 43% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run an electric car or a level 1 EV charging?
At typical use, an electric car costs about $802 a year versus $827 for a level 1 EV charging. So the electric car is cheaper by about $24 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric car?
- Charge overnight on your utility's EV or time-of-use rate; off-peak prices are often 50% lower.
- Precondition the cabin while plugged in so heat comes from the grid, not the battery.
- Keep tires at the door-placard pressure; 10 psi low can cut range 3-5%.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.