NumberTally EV Charging Cost Calculator
How much does it cost to charge an EV vs fill a gas car? Enter your annual miles, EV efficiency, home and public charging rates, and the gas car you’re comparing against — then see yearly costs, cost per mile, and 5-year savings side by side.
Fuel/charging cost only — purchase price, insurance, and maintenance are excluded. This is a comparison tool, not financial advice.
Home vs public charging
Home charging is almost always the cheapest option — a typical US residential rate is around $0.18/kWh, while public fast chargers often charge $0.40/kWh or more, two to three times the home rate. The calculator blends the two rates by the share of charging you do at each location, so a driver who charges 80% at home pays close to the home rate for most of their miles.
What affects EV efficiency (mi/kWh)?
Most EVs get 3–4 miles per kWh. Highway speed is the biggest lever: aerodynamic drag means efficiency drops sharply above ~65 mph. Cold weather is next — battery chemistry and cabin heating can cut winter range 20–40%. Heavy cargo, roof racks, and aggressive acceleration also cost miles per kWh, while gentle driving and regenerative braking help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is EV charging cost calculated?
Divide annual miles by efficiency (mi/kWh) to get kWh needed, then multiply by your blended electricity rate. For example, 12,000 miles ÷ 3.5 mi/kWh = 3,429 kWh × $0.18/kWh = $617 per year.
Is home charging really cheaper than public charging?
Yes — public fast charging typically costs 2–3x the residential rate. A driver who charges entirely at $0.40/kWh public chargers can erase most of the fuel-cost advantage over gas, which is why the home/public mix matters so much in the comparison.
What is a good mi/kWh efficiency?
Most modern EVs get 3–4 mi/kWh. Efficient sedans can exceed 4; large electric trucks and SUVs often sit near 2–2.5. Cold weather, high speeds, and heavy loads all push the number down.
How does EV cost per mile compare to gas?
A typical comparison: $0.18/kWh home charging at 3.5 mi/kWh costs about $0.05/mile, while a 25 MPG gas car at $3.80/gal costs about $0.15/mile — roughly a third. Public-heavy charging narrows or eliminates the gap.
What does this calculator leave out?
It compares fuel/charging cost only. It excludes purchase price, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, and home charger installation — so it is a fuel-cost comparison, not total cost of ownership and not financial advice.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. All calculations run in your browser and your inputs never leave this page.