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How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Updated

At EIA’s August 2026 U.S. residential revenue-per-kWh proxy (18.16¢/kWh), two 2026 Tesla versions cost an estimated $4.44–$4.47 in home electricity per 100 miles.[^1][^8][^9] There is no one EV charging price: cost depends on the car’s energy use and the rate paid.[^1][^4][^5] These are Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) and Model 3 Premium RWD; EPA ratings include wall-to-vehicle charging losses.[^8][^9][^12] EIA’s average is not your utility’s rate; check a public charger’s plan and current price.[^1][^4][^5]

Wall charger and cable hang in a bright garage

What goes into the home-cost estimate?

At the August 2026 EIA benchmark, the estimated cost per 100 miles is $4.44 for the 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels), 24.5 kWh/100 mi EPA, and $4.47 for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, 24.6 kWh/100 mi EPA.[1][2][3] To estimate cost, convert each efficiency input to energy for the target distance, multiply by the benchmark in dollars per kWh, and round to cents.[1:1][2:1][3:1] EPA’s rated electricity consumption is measured from an outlet and includes wall-to-vehicle charging losses, so these estimates include the allowance built into those ratings.[4]

EIA describes its monthly residential figure as average revenue per kilowatt-hour, not a rate collected directly from each household.[1:2] Use your utility’s actual energy rate, including any time-of-use schedule, for a personal estimate.

Can you calculate a full charge for these versions?

A dependable full-charge amount needs the matching battery capacity and the amount of energy needed from the current charge level. SuliHuli’s Model Y page shows conflicting battery-capacity entries for the selected 2026 Standard RWD, while the Model 3 page has no matching capacity entry for the selected Premium RWD; the capacity shown there is for Long Range RWD. A fixed full-charge total for these versions is not supported by those inputs.[2:2][3:2]

For a session priced per kilowatt-hour, multiply the station’s posted price by the energy added. For a different pricing unit, follow the station’s displayed rate and plan rules.

What does public EV charging cost?

Public charging prices depend on the station and plan.[5][6] Electrify America says its DC fast-charging price also depends on energy delivered and, at select stations, time of use; its app or charger screen shows the current price.[5:1] EVgo provides station-specific pricing in its app after you select a station.[6:1] Check the selected station and plan before charging.

For historical context only, a November 2024 NREL report gave approximate U.S. public prices of $0.20–$0.25/kWh for AC Level 2 and $0.40–$0.60/kWh for DC fast charging. The report covers medium- and heavy-duty charging infrastructure, so these figures are not current passenger-car quotes.[7]

SuliHuli’s five-year EV cost page uses illustrative home and public rates marked as of June 2026, not live tariffs.[8] For charge duration rather than price, see how long it takes to charge an electric car. The Model Y charging calculator and Model 3 charging calculator also let you change the price input; their starting prices are illustrative and charging losses are excluded.[9][10]

How do U.S. residential electricity prices vary by state?

<figure> <svg viewBox="0 0 760 190" role="img" aria-label="EIA’s August 2026 residential revenue per kWh was 12.72 cents in Nevada, 18.16 cents for the U.S., and 47.18 cents in Hawaii." xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <title>Residential electricity revenue per kilowatt-hour</title> <desc>August 2026 EIA averages for Nevada, the United States, and Hawaii.</desc> <g font-family="Arial, sans-serif" font-size="16" fill="#242424"> <text x="12" y="42">Nevada: 12.72¢/kWh</text> <text x="12" y="98">U.S.: 18.16¢/kWh</text> <text x="12" y="154">Hawaii: 47.18¢/kWh</text> </g> <g fill="#C8FF00"> <rect x="270" y="24" width="121" height="24" rx="4" /> <rect x="270" y="80" width="173" height="24" rx="4" /> <rect x="270" y="136" width="450" height="24" rx="4" /> </g> </svg> <figcaption>Source: EIA, residential-sector revenue per kilowatt-hour, August 2026. These are state and national electricity averages, not EV charging tariffs. <a href="https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a">Read EIA Table 5.6.A</a>.[11]</figcaption> </figure>

The state figures are average residential electricity revenue per kilowatt-hour, not the price every customer pays. Your utility, plan, and billing period determine your home rate.[11:1]

Did Great Britain’s 2026 tax rule change retail charging prices?

From November 1, 2026, electricity supplied through publicly accessible EV charging points and workplace charging points is treated as non-domestic for VAT and Climate Change Levy purposes, regardless of the amount supplied. A public point is one the general public or a section of it can use, including a public-street charger or a point for a venue’s customers; a point restricted to residents of a dwelling or relevant residential building is not public. A workplace point serves employees or contractors at work.[12][13]

Household electricity used to charge an EV at home remains outside this EV-supply rule, even when it is separately identified or billed on a time-specific tariff. A standalone private residential point may qualify for relief, and supplies to a charity for non-business use may still qualify. Qualifying domestic electricity in Great Britain has a temporary zero rate from October 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; qualifying Northern Ireland supplies remain at 5%. HMRC’s tax classification does not show that a charging operator changed its retail price.[12:1][13:1]

  1. U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Electricity Monthly Update,” August 2026 residential data (released October 23, 2026; read 2026-11-09). EIA monthly update ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. SuliHuli, “Tesla Model Y” (read 2026-11-09). Model Y specifications ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. SuliHuli, “Tesla Model 3” (read 2026-11-09). Model 3 specifications ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “The 2024 EPA Automotive Trends Report: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Fuel Economy, and Technology since 1975,” Table E.2 note (November 2024; read 2026-11-09). EPA report ↩︎

  5. Electrify America, “FAQ” (read 2026-11-09). Pricing information ↩︎ ↩︎

  6. EVgo, “EV Time of Use Charging Costs: Pricing and Plan for EV Charging” (read 2026-11-09). Station-specific pricing ↩︎ ↩︎

  7. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Electric Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Attributes and Development” (November 2024; read 2026-11-09). NREL report, Table 5 ↩︎

  8. SuliHuli, “What will an EV cost you over 5 years?” (data updated November 4, 2026; read 2026-11-09). Five-year EV cost page ↩︎

  9. SuliHuli, “Tesla Model Y charging” (last verified November 4, 2026; read 2026-11-09). Model Y charging calculator ↩︎

  10. SuliHuli, “Tesla Model 3 charging” (last verified November 4, 2026; read 2026-11-09). Model 3 charging calculator ↩︎

  11. U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Electric Power Monthly,” Table 5.6.A, August 2026 residential data (released October 23, 2026; read 2026-11-09). EIA state table ↩︎ ↩︎

  12. HM Revenue & Customs, “VAT and Climate Change Levy on electric vehicle charging for non-domestic use” (published October 28, 2026; read 2026-11-09). HMRC brief 13/2026 ↩︎ ↩︎

  13. HM Revenue & Customs, “Fuel and power (VAT Notice 701/19)” (last updated October 28, 2026; read 2026-11-09). HMRC VAT Notice ↩︎ ↩︎