The promise of EV ownership includes lower fuel costs — but how much lower depends on where you live, when you charge, and how far you drive. This guide provides the actual calculations for home EV charging costs in 2026 across US electricity rate regions, so you can understand what your specific situation will cost before making the switch or optimizing your current charging setup.

The Basic Formula

Home EV charging cost is determined by two variables:

1. Your vehicle’s energy consumption: Measured in kWh per mile (or miles per kWh). A typical mid-range EV uses approximately 0.28–0.35 kWh per mile.
2. Your electricity rate: The cost per kilowatt-hour charged by your utility. This varies significantly by state and by time of day on TOU plans.

US Average Electricity Rates by Region (2026)

Electricity rates vary more dramatically across the US than many people realize. A driver in Washington State pays roughly a third of what a driver in Connecticut pays for the same kilowatt-hour. This means EV charging economics are not uniform — and understanding your local rate is essential for accurate cost calculations.

Cost Per Mile by Electricity Rate

EV Charging vs Gasoline: The Real Comparison

At the US national average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh and average EV efficiency of 3.3 miles per kWh, driving costs approximately $0.048 per mile. A gasoline vehicle averaging 28 mpg at $3.50/gallon costs approximately $0.125 per mile — roughly 2.6 times more per mile than an EV at the national average electricity rate.

Over 15,000 miles annually, this difference amounts to approximately $1,155 per year in fuel savings. Even in high-electricity-cost states like California, the savings remain substantial when off-peak TOU rates are used — California’s off-peak EV rate can be as low as $0.09/kWh, reducing the per-mile cost to below $0.03.

Cost Per Full Charge by Vehicle Model

The Impact of Off-Peak Charging

For drivers in high-electricity-cost states, off-peak scheduling on a TOU rate plan transforms the economics of EV charging. California provides the most dramatic example:

• Peak rate (4–9 PM): $0.38/kWh → $0.114/mile → $1,710/year at 15,000 miles
• Off-peak rate (11 PM–9 AM): $0.12/kWh → $0.036/mile → $540/year at 15,000 miles
• Annual difference: $1,170 — simply by charging at a different time of day

This is why the scheduling feature in the ShockFlo G1 and ShockFlo S1 apps can generate annual savings that exceed the cost of the charger itself — in the first year. For a full guide to configuring off-peak charging, see our ShockFlo setup guide.

How to Calculate Your Specific Annual Charging Cost

1. Find your annual mileage from your odometer or vehicle maintenance records.
2. Look up your vehicle’s EPA-rated energy consumption in kWh per mile (available on fueleconomy.gov).
3. Multiply: annual miles × kWh per mile = annual kWh consumed.
4. Find your electricity rate on your utility bill (use off-peak rate if enrolling in TOU).
5. Multiply: annual kWh × electricity rate = annual charging cost.

Example: 12,000 miles × 0.30 kWh/mile = 3,600 kWh × $0.14/kWh = $504 per year.

Conclusion

Home EV charging costs range from approximately $360 to $1,440 per year for a typical 15,000-mile driver, depending on local electricity rates. In virtually every US market, this is substantially less than the equivalent gasoline cost for a comparable vehicle. The largest single lever available to reduce charging costs further is off-peak scheduling — available as a standard feature on every ShockFlo charger through the free ShockFlo app. Explore the full lineup at portable EV chargers and home EV chargers.