Electricity Prices Across the U.S.
Electricity prices vary dramatically across states. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential electricity prices in 2025 ranged from about 11 cents per kWh in North Dakota to over 40 cents per kWh in Hawaii.
| State | Avg Electricity Price (¢/kWh) |
|---|---|
| California | 32.6 |
| Texas | 14.8 |
| Florida | 15.2 |
| New York | 28.4 |
| Washington | 11.9 |
| Hawaii | 41.2 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
This difference directly affects the cost of driving an electric vehicle.
EV Efficiency: How Much Electricity Does an EV Use?
Electric vehicle efficiency is usually expressed as kWh per 100 miles.
Some popular EVs:
| Vehicle | kWh / 100 miles |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 25 |
| Tesla Model Y | 28 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 24 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 33 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EUV | 28 |
Source: U.S. EPA Fuel Economy Database
For our calculations, we use an average efficiency of 28 kWh per 100 miles.
This equals:
0.28 kWh per mile
Real EV Cost per Mile (Home Charging)
Using the national average electricity price of 16.4¢ per kWh, the average EV driving cost is:
0.28 × $0.164 = $0.0459 per mile
This means the typical EV costs about:
4.6 cents per mile
Cost per Mile by State
Because electricity prices vary widely, EV driving costs also vary.
| State | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|
| California | $0.091 |
| Texas | $0.041 |
| Florida | $0.043 |
| Washington | $0.033 |
| New York | $0.079 |
| Hawaii | $0.115 |
Drivers in Washington pay nearly three times less per mile than drivers in Hawaii.
EV vs Gasoline Cost per Mile
To understand the savings, we compared EV costs with gasoline vehicles.
Assumptions:
- gasoline price: $3.70 per gallon
- vehicle efficiency: 28 mpg
Gas vehicle cost per mile:
$3.70 ÷ 28 = 13.2 cents per mile
Comparison:
| Vehicle Type | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle | $0.046 |
| Gas vehicle | $0.132 |
EV driving is about 65% cheaper per mile on average.
What Happens with Fast Charging?
Public DC fast charging is significantly more expensive than home charging.
Typical prices:
| Charging Type | Avg Cost |
|---|---|
| Home Level 2 | $0.15 / kWh |
| Public Level 2 | $0.25 / kWh |
| DC Fast Charging | $0.40 – $0.55 / kWh |
If we assume $0.48 per kWh for fast charging:
0.28 × $0.48 = 13.4 cents per mile
This is similar to gasoline costs.
That is why most EV owners rely heavily on home charging.
Annual EV Driving Cost
Assuming the average American drives 13,500 miles per year, annual electricity cost becomes:
13,500 × $0.046 = $621 per year
Gas vehicle equivalent:
13,500 × $0.132 = $1,782 per year
Annual savings:
≈ $1,160
Additional Factors That Affect EV Charging Costs
Several variables can change these calculations.
Temperature
Cold weather can increase energy consumption by 10–25% due to battery heating.
Driving speed
Highway driving reduces EV efficiency.
Charging losses
AC charging losses typically range from 5–12%.
These factors slightly increase the real-world cost of driving.
Are EVs Always Cheaper?
For most drivers in the United States, EVs are significantly cheaper to operate.
However, savings depend on:
- electricity price
- charging habits
- driving efficiency
Drivers who charge mostly at home in states with low electricity prices benefit the most.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles offer a clear operating cost advantage in most parts of the United States. Based on national electricity prices and average EV efficiency, the typical EV costs around 4–5 cents per mile to drive.
That is roughly three times cheaper than gasoline vehicles.
However, drivers relying heavily on fast chargers may see smaller savings.
Sources
U.S. Energy Information Administration
https://www.eia.gov/electricity
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Database
https://www.fueleconomy.gov
U.S. Department of Transportation
https://www.bts.gov
International Energy Agency EV Outlook
https://www.iea.org
