How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home Every Month?
The formula
Monthly cost = (daily miles ÷ efficiency in mi/kWh) ÷ (1 − charging loss) × electricity rate × 30.4 days. Charging losses (power lost as heat while charging) are typically 8–15% for home AC charging.
Monthly cost by daily driving distance
| Daily miles | Monthly kWh | Monthly cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 20 miles | ~193 kWh | ~$33 |
| 30 miles | ~290 kWh | ~$49 |
| 50 miles | ~483 kWh | ~$82 |
*At 3.5 mi/kWh, $0.17/kWh, 10% charging loss. Your EV's actual efficiency and local rate will shift this.
How this compares to gas
A gas car averaging 30 mpg driving 30 miles/day uses 1 gallon/day, or about 30 gallons/month. At $3.50/gallon that's roughly $105/month — more than double the EV home charging cost above. See the full breakdown in our EV vs. gas savings calculator.
What changes your number
- Your EV's efficiency (mi/kWh) — more efficient EVs cost less per mile.
- Your electricity rate — off-peak or time-of-use rates can cut this significantly.
- Public vs. home charging — public DC fast charging often costs 2–4× more per kWh.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home per month?
For a typical driver covering 30 miles/day in an EV at 3.5 miles/kWh, charging at $0.17/kWh costs about $49 per month at home, including a 10% charging loss.
Is charging an EV at home cheaper than public charging?
Usually yes, often significantly. Public DC fast charging can cost 2-4 times more per kWh than home charging rates.
Does EV charging increase my electric bill a lot?
For an average driver it typically adds $40-70/month, comparable to or less than a monthly gas fill-up for a similar-sized car.