EV Charge The average U.S. home electricity rate is 18.31¢ per kilowatt-hour in July 2026, up 4.9% from a year ago. Rates range from 12.72¢ in Louisiana to 48.00¢ in Hawaii, meaning the cost to charge an electric car can vary dramatically depending on where you live.
The price per kWh in every state
| State | Price per kWh (July 2026) | July 2025 | Change | EV charging per 1,000 mi (Model Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | 15.93¢ | +3.0% | $45 |
| Alaska | 28.83¢ | 27.30¢ | +5.6% | $79 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | 15.34¢ | +0.3% | $42 |
| Arkansas | 14.33¢ | 13.26¢ | +8.1% | $39 |
| California | 33.61¢ | 32.66¢ | +2.9% | $92 |
| Colorado | 17.00¢ | 15.99¢ | +6.3% | $47 |
| Connecticut | 24.16¢ | 27.60¢ | -12.5% | $66 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | 16.58¢ | +11.5% | $51 |
| District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | 23.04¢ | +9.4% | $69 |
| Florida | 15.03¢ | 15.11¢ | -0.5% | $41 |
| Georgia | 16.27¢ | 15.56¢ | +4.6% | $45 |
| Hawaii | 48.00¢ | 39.36¢ | +22.0% | $132 |
| Idaho | 13.73¢ | 12.28¢ | +11.8% | $38 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | 17.22¢ | +11.6% | $53 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | 16.18¢ | +3.4% | $46 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | 15.31¢ | +4.4% | $44 |
| Kansas | 15.27¢ | 14.46¢ | +5.6% | $42 |
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | 13.13¢ | +5.2% | $38 |
| Louisiana | 12.72¢ | 13.12¢ | -3.0% | $35 |
| Maine | 32.41¢ | 27.98¢ | +15.8% | $89 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | 18.83¢ | +13.7% | $59 |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢ | 30.07¢ | +1.4% | $84 |
| Michigan | 23.05¢ | 20.55¢ | +12.2% | $63 |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢ | 16.92¢ | +3.1% | $48 |
| Mississippi | 14.54¢ | 13.58¢ | +7.1% | $40 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | 15.56¢ | +3.4% | $44 |
| Montana | 14.99¢ | 14.27¢ | +5.0% | $41 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | 12.84¢ | +7.3% | $38 |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ | 12.39¢ | +3.1% | $35 |
| New Hampshire | 26.60¢ | 22.79¢ | +16.7% | $73 |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢ | 25.32¢ | -0.5% | $69 |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢ | 15.80¢ | +1.8% | $44 |
| New York | 29.90¢ | 26.22¢ | +14.0% | $82 |
| North Carolina | 15.16¢ | 13.37¢ | +13.4% | $42 |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢ | 13.31¢ | +0.8% | $37 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | 17.38¢ | +11.9% | $53 |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢ | 13.52¢ | +6.1% | $39 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | 15.61¢ | +2.3% | $44 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | 19.51¢ | +11.3% | $60 |
| Rhode Island | 28.29¢ | 26.18¢ | +8.1% | $78 |
| South Carolina | 15.47¢ | 14.70¢ | +5.2% | $43 |
| South Dakota | 15.37¢ | 14.52¢ | +5.9% | $42 |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢ | 13.21¢ | +3.8% | $38 |
| Texas | 15.88¢ | 15.36¢ | +3.4% | $44 |
| Utah | 13.12¢ | 13.45¢ | -2.5% | $36 |
| Vermont | 23.75¢ | 22.14¢ | +7.3% | $65 |
| Virginia | 17.55¢ | 15.78¢ | +11.2% | $48 |
| Washington | 14.71¢ | 13.45¢ | +9.4% | $40 |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | 15.43¢ | +2.3% | $43 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | 18.25¢ | +4.4% | $52 |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢ | 14.64¢ | -1.9% | $39 |
Why the numbers look like this
Electricity prices across states reflect differences in power generation costs, grid infrastructure, and fuel sources. States with cheaper rates tend to benefit from abundant local energy resources or lower transmission costs. States with higher rates typically face steeper distribution expenses or rely on more expensive generation methods. Even within this variation, most drivers—32 states fall below the national average—can charge at a lower per-mile cost than driving a gasoline car. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive state illustrates why location matters as much as the vehicle itself when calculating true fuel costs.
What you can do
- Check your actual utility bill to see your rate; it may differ from your state average depending on your provider and plan.
- Compare your cost per 1,000 miles driven to a gas car using your local rate, not the national average.
- If you can charge during off-peak hours, ask your utility about time-of-use rates that could lower your effective cost.
- Factor in your vehicle’s real-world efficiency—smaller EVs cost less per mile than larger ones under the same electricity rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car per year?
At the national average rate, a Tesla Model Y costs about $604 per year to charge for typical driving. Your actual cost depends on your state’s electricity rate, your vehicle’s efficiency, and how many miles you drive annually.
How much does it cost to charge an EV compared to gas?
A 30-mpg gas car costs $1,732 per year to drive 12,000 miles at current U.S. gas prices. A Tesla Model Y at the national average electricity rate costs $604 per year for the same distance—a savings of $1,128.
Which state is cheapest to charge an EV?
Louisiana has the lowest rate at 12.72¢ per kilowatt-hour. Hawaii is the most expensive at 48.00¢ per kilowatt-hour.
How much will electricity rates go up this year?
From July 2025 to July 2026, the U.S. average rate rose 4.9%. Your local rate change may differ based on your utility and region.
What does ¢ per kWh mean?
It’s the price in cents for one kilowatt-hour of electricity—the unit your utility uses to bill you. This is the standard measure for comparing charging costs across states and vehicles.
Your bill depends on your own rate and miles. Put them in the EV charging cost calculator, or see every state in the cost by state table and the monthly price index.
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A; EIA gasoline prices; fueleconomy.gov (EPA). Method: how we calculate. Updated October 18, 2026.
