EV Charging Cost Calculator
Full charge cost, range, and cost per mile for electric cars.
What it does
Electric fuel math is simpler than petrol: battery size times electricity rate gives the full charge, and rate divided by efficiency gives cost per mile. No gears, no idling losses, no octane grades.
The tool above prices charging from battery size and rate in either efficiency unit, then compares per mile against a gas car at your price and mileage.
Charging location moves the answer most. Home overnight rates often halve the average used here, while highway fast chargers can triple it with session fees on top.
Efficiency swings with weather and speed. Cold batteries and fast highway runs drink 20 to 40% more than mild city driving, so winter road trips cost more per mile than summer commutes.
How to use
- Enter usable battery size in kWh from the spec sheet.
- Enter your electricity rate per kWh.
- Enter efficiency in miles per kWh or kWh per 100 km.
- Add gas price and mpg to see the comparison.
Formula
- battery kWh
- Usable energy, slightly below the advertised gross.
- rate
- Price per kWh at your charger.
- mi/kWh
- Distance per unit energy. Higher is thriftier.
Charging losses of roughly 10% sit outside the meter math: the battery keeps a little less than the plug delivers. Battery preconditioning in winter adds more.
Worked example
Example: 60 kWh battery, $0.17 rate, 3.5 mi/kWh
Midsize EV, home charging at average US rate, gas at $3.50 and 30 mpg.
- Full charge: 60 x $0.17 = $10.20.
- Range: 60 x 3.5 = 210 miles.
- Per mile: 0.17 / 3.5 = about $0.05.
- Gas per mile: 3.50 / 30 = about $0.12.
- Metric check: 100 / (3.5 x 1.609344) = 17.8 kWh/100km.
Reference table
| Battery | At $0.12 | At $0.17 | At $0.40 fast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kWh | $4.80 | $6.80 | $16.00 |
| 60 kWh | $7.20 | $10.20 | $24.00 |
| 80 kWh | $9.60 | $13.60 | $32.00 |
| 100 kWh | $12.00 | $17.00 | $40.00 |
Limits
- Usable battery assumed. Gross includes locked reserve.
- Charging losses near 10% excluded.
- Time of use rates swing by hour.
- Battery wear and tire costs sit outside fuel math.
Common mistakes
- Pricing with the car display percent instead of metered kWh.
- Comparing home rates to fast charger totals.
- Ignoring winter efficiency drops on range plans.
- Forgetting session and idle fees at public chargers.
- Sizing trips on rated range without weather margin.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
75 kWh at $0.20?
75 x 0.20 = $15.00 a full charge.
Per mile at 4.0 mi/kWh and $0.20?
0.20 / 4.0 = $0.05 per mile.
Questions
How much does home charging cost?
Battery kWh times your rate: 60 kWh at $0.17 is $10.20 for about 210 miles.
Is public charging pricier?
Usually double or more per kWh, plus session fees. Road trips still beat gas per mile in most cases.
What is good EV efficiency?
Near 4 mi/kWh (15 kWh/100km) is thrifty. Big SUVs run near 2.5 mi/kWh.
How far does a charge go?
Battery times efficiency: 60 kWh at 3.5 mi/kWh is 210 miles in mild weather.
Does cold cut range?
Yes, 20 to 40% on the coldest days with cabin heat. Precondition while plugged in.
EV or gas: which is cheaper per mile?
Home charged EVs usually run a third to half of gas cost per mile. Enter your numbers to compare.