EV Charging Cost Calculator 2026: Home vs Public Charging Cost Comparison

One of the biggest advantages of driving an EV is fuel cost savings. But how much does it actually cost to charge at home versus at public chargers? And how does it compare to gasoline? Here is a complete breakdown with real 2026 numbers.

Home Charging Costs

Home charging cost depends on your local electricity rate and your EV's efficiency.

The Formula

Cost per mile = (electricity rate per kWh) / (EV efficiency in miles per kWh)

Real-World Examples (2026 National Average: $0.14/kWh)

Vehicle	Efficiency	Cost per Mile	Cost per 100 Miles	Monthly Cost (1,000 mi)
Tesla Model 3 LR	4.0 mi/kWh	$0.035	$3.50	$35
Tesla Model Y LR	3.5 mi/kWh	$0.040	$4.00	$40
Ford Mustang Mach-E	3.2 mi/kWh	$0.044	$4.38	$44
Rivian R1S	2.8 mi/kWh	$0.050	$5.00	$50
Hyundai Ioniq 6	4.2 mi/kWh	$0.033	$3.33	$33

Time-of-Use Rates

Many utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rates with significantly cheaper electricity during off-peak hours (typically 10 PM - 6 AM). TOU rates can reduce charging costs by 30-50%.

Example: If your TOU off-peak rate is $0.08/kWh instead of $0.14/kWh, a Tesla Model 3 costs just $0.020 per mile — about $20/month for 1,000 miles of driving.

A smart charger like the ChargePoint Home Flex can schedule charging to automatically use off-peak rates.

Public Charging Costs

Public charging is significantly more expensive than home charging.

Network	Level 2 Cost	DC Fast Charging Cost
ChargePoint	$0.20-0.40/kWh	$0.35-0.60/kWh
Electrify America	N/A	$0.35-0.48/kWh
Tesla Supercharger	N/A	$0.25-0.50/kWh
EVgo	N/A	$0.30-0.55/kWh
Free Level 2 (hotels, etc.)	$0.00	N/A

At $0.40/kWh (typical DC fast charging), a Tesla Model 3 costs about $0.10 per mile — nearly 3x the home charging cost.

EV vs Gasoline Cost Comparison

Metric	EV (Home Charging)	Gas Car (30 MPG)	Gas Car (25 MPG)
Cost per mile	$0.035-0.050	$0.117	$0.140
Cost per 100 miles	$3.50-5.00	$11.67	$14.00
Monthly cost (1,000 mi)	$35-50	$117	$140
Annual cost (12,000 mi)	$420-600	$1,400	$1,680
Annual savings	—	$800-1,260	$1,080-1,260

Based on 2026 national average gasoline price of $3.50/gallon and electricity at $0.14/kWh.

How to Reduce Charging Costs Further

Switch to TOU rates — Contact your utility about EV-specific rate plans
Install EV Charging Guide 2026: How to Charge Your EV with Solar" class="internal-link">solar panels — Charge for free from the sun (after system payback)
Use free public charging — Hotels, shopping centers, and employers increasingly offer free Level 2 charging
Charge to 80% — The last 20% charges slower and can cost more on public fast chargers that charge by time
Maintain tire pressure — Low tires reduce efficiency and increase cost per mile

FAQ

Is home charging always cheaper than public charging? Yes, with rare exceptions. Home electricity rates are almost always lower than public charging rates. The only exception is free public charging offered by some hotels, retailers, and employers.

How much does a full charge cost at home? For a typical 60-75 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80%: $5.00-6.30 at the national average rate of $0.14/kWh.

Does Level 1 charging cost less than Level 2? No. The cost per kWh is the same regardless of charging speed at home — your electricity rate does not change based on how fast you draw power. Level 2 is more efficient (less energy lost to heat), so it is actually slightly cheaper per mile.

How do I track my charging costs? Smart chargers like ChargePoint and Wallbox track kWh and estimated cost per session. You can also check your electricity bill month-over-month to see the impact of EV charging on your total usage.

EV Charging Cost Calculator 2026: Home vs Public Charging Cost Comparison