How much does it cost to run a level 1 EV charging?
A level 1 EV charging costs about $2.26 a day, $68.88 a month and $827 a year at typical use (37 miles a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 120 V outlet at 12 A delivers about 1.4 kW, adding 4-5 miles of range per hour; it loses a bit more energy than Level 2.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 A | 1,440 | $2.26 | $68.88 | $827 |
| 16 A (20 A circuit) | 1,920 | $2.26 | $68.88 | $827 |
At 37 miles a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a level 1 EV charging in every state
The same level 1 EV charging costs $566 a year in North Dakota and $1,999 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $47.17 | $566 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $48.44 | $581 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $49.24 | $591 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $49.74 | $597 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $51.00 | $612 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $51.16 | $614 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $51.42 | $617 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $51.92 | $623 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $52.46 | $629 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $52.99 | $636 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $53.30 | $640 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $53.42 | $641 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $53.64 | $644 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $54.07 | $649 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $54.10 | $649 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $54.37 | $652 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $56.55 | $679 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $56.55 | $679 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $57.78 | $693 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $57.90 | $695 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $58.66 | $704 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $58.93 | $707 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $58.97 | $708 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $59.27 | $711 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $59.35 | $712 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $59.89 | $719 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $61.11 | $733 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $62.11 | $745 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $62.95 | $755 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $63.10 | $757 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $63.49 | $762 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $64.86 | $778 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $68.12 | $817 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $69.88 | $839 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $71.76 | $861 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $71.95 | $863 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $79.26 | $951 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $80.52 | $966 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $80.60 | $967 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $91.05 | $1,093 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $91.13 | $1,094 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $92.66 | $1,112 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $102 | $1,225 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $103 | $1,234 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $107 | $1,286 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $109 | $1,304 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $112 | $1,345 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $112 | $1,347 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $117 | $1,398 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $126 | $1,516 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $167 | $1,999 |
How to cut the cost
- Charge on a dedicated 20 A circuit and avoid extension cords.
- Set the car's charge timer to start after off-peak rates begin.
- Upgrade to Level 2 if you drive more than about 40 miles a day.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Cuts charging losses and charges in 1-3 hours.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Electric car | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $54.70 | $656 |
| Electric motorcycle | 1,300 | 20 miles a day | $10.95 | $131 |
| Golf cart | 900 | 10 miles a day | $8.21 | $99 |
| Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid) | 3,300 | 30 miles a day | $46.00 | $552 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a level 1 EV charging per hour?
A level 1 EV charging drawing 1,440 watts uses 1.44 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 26¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 18¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 63¢.
How much does it cost to run a level 1 EV charging per month?
At typical use (37 miles a day), a level 1 EV charging costs about $68.88 a month and $827 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 level 1 EV charging use?
Most level 1 EV chargings use 1,200 to 1,920 watts, depending on the setting (12 a 1,440 W, 16 a (20 a circuit) 1,920 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a level 1 EV charging use?
About 12.58 kWh a day and 4,595 kWh a year at typical use (37 miles a day).
Does a level 1 EV charging use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 4,595 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 44% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a level 1 EV charging or a level 2 EV charging?
At typical use, a level 1 EV charging costs about $827 a year versus $802 for a level 2 EV charging. So the level 2 EV charging 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 a level 1 EV charging?
- Charge on a dedicated 20 A circuit and avoid extension cords.
- Set the car's charge timer to start after off-peak rates begin.
- Upgrade to Level 2 if you drive more than about 40 miles a day.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.