How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?

The formula

cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh

Worked example: 6,600 W × 1.5 h ÷ 1,000 = 9.9 kWh a day. 9.9 kWh × $0.1816 = $1.80 a day, or about $53.94 over 30 days.

How much power does a home EV charger draw?

Most are rated 1,400 to 8,000 W. The charger's nameplate or app shows its output in kW or amps (multiply amps by 240 V for Level 2, 120 V for Level 1). For a monthly estimate, set the hours so watts × hours matches your daily kWh (miles ÷ 100 × your car's kWh/100 mi).

• Level 1 charging uses the cord that often comes with the car and a standard 120 V outlet. ENERGY STAR's EVSE scoping report (based on SAE J1772) lists Level 1 at 1.4 kW on a 12 A circuit and 1.9 kW on 20 A. ENERGY STAR says that adds about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour.
• Level 2 uses a 240 V circuit like an electric dryer's. The same report lists typical Level 2 power at 4 kW (17 A) to 8 kW (32 A), with up to 19.2 kW (80 A) possible. EPA's charging basics page assumes 6.6 kW for Level 2 and 1.9 kW for Level 1. ENERGY STAR says Level 2 adds about 10 to 20 miles of range per hour.
• What you pay depends on miles driven, not charger power: kWh = miles ÷ 100 × the car's kWh/100 mi rating. EPA ratings on fueleconomy.gov run from 25 kWh/100 mi (2025 Model 3 Long Range RWD) to 48 to 51 kWh/100 mi (2025 F-150 Lightning), and include charging losses at the outlet.
• A faster charger finishes sooner but uses about the same energy for the same miles. ENERGY STAR notes Level 2 is on average about 10% more efficient than Level 1.

Cost at different electricity prices

Per month (30 days) and per year (12 such months). Real use is usually seasonal. Average residential prices for August 2026 from the same EIA table. Your utility's rate, including delivery charges, may differ. Check the price per kWh on your bill.

Ways to pay less

1. Ask your utility about a time-of-use or EV rate The Alternative Fuels Data Center notes that many utilities offer residential time-of-use rates or EV charging incentives. Most cars and smart chargers can schedule charging for the overnight off-peak window, which is when most drivers plug in anyway.
2. Level 1 is often enough for short commutes EPA and ENERGY STAR both say drivers covering under about 40 miles a day can usually get by on a 120 V outlet overnight. The cost per mile is about the same as Level 2, so skipping the install only changes how fast you charge, not much what you pay.
3. Pick an ENERGY STAR certified charger if you buy one ENERGY STAR says certified Level 1 and Level 2 chargers use 40% less energy in standby, the mode they sit in about 85% of the time. They are also safety tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
4. Expect higher kWh per mile in deep cold Fueleconomy.gov notes that in very cold conditions, auxiliary electrical loads such as cabin and battery heating can account for more than 40% of energy use in city driving. Preconditioning the cabin while still plugged in draws that energy from the house rather than the battery.
5. Check what your efficiency rating really costs Multiply your car's EPA kWh/100 mi by your rate. At 18.16¢/kWh, 25 kWh/100 mi is about $4.54 per 100 miles and 48 kWh/100 mi is about $8.72. In Nevada (12.72¢/kWh) a 29 kWh/100 mi car costs about $3.69 per 100 miles; in Hawaii (47.18¢/kWh) about $13.68.

Safety. The Alternative Fuels Data Center notes that EV charging is a continuous load under the National Electrical Code (Article 625), that installations must meet local codes and may need a permit, and that a qualified electrician should confirm your panel has capacity before adding a Level 2 circuit. Use safety-certified equipment, outdoor-rated equipment for outdoor installs, and a dedicated branch circuit for Level 1 charging rather than an extension cord.