EV charging vs. gas: what driving really costs
The math behind cost per mile, why home and public charging differ so much, and the state numbers.
U.S. averages: home charging about $5.19 per 100 miles at 18.16¢/kWh (3.5 mi/kWh) vs. $14.27 for a 28-mpg car at $3.995 gas.
The formula
Cost per mile for gasoline is the price per gallon divided by miles per gallon. For an EV it is the price per kWh divided by miles per kWh. Most EVs go roughly 3 to 4 miles per kWh in mixed driving; larger trucks and SUVs less, and every EV less in cold weather.
Home vs. public charging
At home you pay your utility rate, and many utilities offer cheaper overnight or EV-specific rates. Public DC fast chargers set their own prices per kWh or per minute, often several times the home rate, and that can erase most of an EV’s fuel savings for drivers who rely on them.
What moves the comparison
- Your state: residential electricity ranges from about 13¢ to more than 45¢ per kWh; see the state table.
- Gas prices: the 2026 jump in gasoline widened the gap in favor of charging.
- Charging losses: some energy is lost between the wall and the battery; lowering miles per kWh slightly accounts for it.
Try your own numbers in the EV vs. gas calculator.