How much does it cost to run a level 2 EV charging?
A level 2 EV charging 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. A typical Level 2 charger delivers 7-11 kW and adds 25-35 miles of range per hour; charging losses are about 10%.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 A (3.8 kW) | 3,800 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
| 30 A (7.2 kW) | 7,200 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
| 40 A (9.6 kW) | 9,600 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
| 48 A (11.5 kW) | 11,500 | $2.20 | $66.86 | $802 |
At 37 miles a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a level 2 EV charging in every state
The same level 2 EV charging 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
- Schedule charging in the charger app to start in off-peak hours.
- Check utility rebates for smart chargers ($200-$500 is common).
- Lower the amperage if your panel is near its limit instead of upgrading service.
- Turn off charger Wi-Fi or LED rings if standby draw matters.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Schedules charging around time-of-use rates.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 EV charging | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Level 1 EV charging | 1,440 | 37 miles a day | $68.88 | $827 |
| Electric car | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Tesla Model Y | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $60.78 | $729 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $54.70 | $656 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $101 | $1,216 |
| Chevy Equinox EV | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $64.83 | $778 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a level 2 EV charging per hour?
A level 2 EV charging 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 a level 2 EV charging per month?
At typical use (37 miles a day), a level 2 EV charging 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 a level 2 EV charging use?
Most level 2 EV chargings use 3,300 to 11,500 watts, depending on the setting (16 a (3.8 kw) 3,800 W, 30 a (7.2 kw) 7,200 W, 40 a (9.6 kw) 9,600 W, 48 a (11.5 kw) 11,500 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 2 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a level 2 EV charging use?
About 12.21 kWh a day and 4,460 kWh a year at typical use (37 miles a day).
Does a level 2 EV charging 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 a level 2 EV charging or a level 1 EV charging?
At typical use, a level 2 EV charging costs about $802 a year versus $827 for a level 1 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 2 EV charging?
- Schedule charging in the charger app to start in off-peak hours.
- Check utility rebates for smart chargers ($200-$500 is common).
- Lower the amperage if your panel is near its limit instead of upgrading service.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.