How much does it cost to run a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels)?
A kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 0.4¢ a day, $0.12 a month and $1 a year at typical use (2 hours a day, 3 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Charging a 12 V 12 Ah battery takes about 0.2 kWh; chargers draw 10-60 W for 8-14 hours, but energy cost is a few dollars a year.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.04 | 0.8¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| 8 hours | 0.09 | 1.5¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| 12 hours | 0.13 | 2.3¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| 24 hours | 0.26 | 4.6¢ | $1.41 | $17 |
Cost to run a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) in every state
The same kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $3 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
How to cut the cost
- Don't leave it on the charger for days; most chargers aren't automatic.
- Charge after every use to protect lead-acid batteries.
- Store indoors in winter and charge once a month.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Shuts off the charger after the recommended charge time.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) | 25 | 2 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.12 | $1 |
| Electric scooter | 70 | 8 miles a day | $0.88 | $11 |
| E-bike | 100 | 10 miles a day | $1.37 | $16 |
| Breast pump | 10 | 1.5 hours a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Baby monitor | 5 | 24 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Sound machine | 3 | 10 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
| Baby bottle warmer | 400 | 30 minutes a day | $1.16 | $14 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) per hour?
A kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) drawing 25 watts uses 0.03 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.3¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.1¢.
How much does it cost to run a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) per month?
At typical use (2 hours a day, 3 days a week), a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) costs about $0.12 a month and $1 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) use?
Most kids ride-on car (Power Wheels)s use 10 to 60 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) use?
About 0.02 kWh a day and 8 kWh a year at typical use (2 hours a day, 3 days a week).
Does a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 8 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) or an electric scooter?
At typical use, a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) costs about $1 a year versus $11 for an electric scooter. So the kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) is cheaper by about $9 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a kids ride-on car (Power Wheels)?
- Don't leave it on the charger for days; most chargers aren't automatic.
- Charge after every use to protect lead-acid batteries.
- Store indoors in winter and charge once a month.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.