EV Charge At Iowa’s average of 17.06¢ per kWh, a Tesla Model Y costs about $47 per 1,000 miles to charge at home, or $0.047 a mile. A 30-mpg gas car spends roughly $144 on the same miles.
Electricity: EIA August 2026 · Gas: EIA week of October 12, 2026 · How we calculate
What Iowa drivers pay to charge at home
| Vehicle (EPA efficiency) | Per 1,000 miles | Per year (12,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD (27.5 kWh/100 mi) | $47 | $563 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV AWD (32.6 kWh/100 mi) | $56 | $668 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1 (47.9 kWh/100 mi) | $82 | $981 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $144 | $1,732 |
What’s going on with electricity prices in Iowa
Iowa electricity averaged 17.06¢ per kWh in August 2026, #23 of 51, after prices rose 10.2% over the past year, against 3.4% nationally.
Iowa makes more of its electricity from wind than any other state, and wind turbines have no fuel cost. Building the turbines and the lines that carry their power still costs money, though, and recent increases show that a green grid doesn’t automatically mean flat bills.
Iowa vs. its neighbors
| State | Price per kWh | Per 1,000 miles (Model Y) | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $47 | — |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $37 | -21% |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $42 | -11% |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $44 | -6% |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $47 | +1% |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $53 | +13% |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $53 | +14% |
Three of Iowa’s six neighbors pay less per kWh. Nebraska is the cheapest at 13.54¢; Wisconsin is the priciest at 19.41¢.
What popular EVs cost to charge in Iowa
| EV | Per 1,000 miles | Per year (12,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | $47 | $563 |
| Tesla Model 3 | $50 | $606 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $54 | $648 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | $56 | $668 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $57 | $689 |
| Kia EV9 | $73 | $880 |
| Rivian R1S | $76 | $908 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | $82 | $981 |
Home charging vs Tesla Superchargers vs gas in Iowa
| How you fuel 1,000 miles (Tesla Model Y) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home, Iowa average (17.06¢/kWh) | $47 |
| Tesla Supercharger, standard rate ($0.55/kWh) | $151 |
| Tesla Supercharger, member rate (est. $0.38/kWh, $12.99/month fee) | $105 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg ($4.33/gal) | $144 |
In Iowa, a standard-rate Supercharger session costs about 3.2 times as much per kWh as charging at home, and more than the gas a 30-mpg car burns over the same miles. Fast charging is for road trips; the savings come from charging at home.
How to pay less to charge in Iowa
MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy serve most Iowa homes, with municipal utilities and cooperatives covering the rest. Iowa is not a retail-choice state. Ask your utility about time-of-use rates or EV programs, which price overnight charging below the standard rate.
MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy post their residential and time-of-use rates online. Try your plan’s price in the EV charging cost calculator.
Iowa EV charging FAQ
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Iowa per month?
At the Iowa average of 17.06¢ per kWh, 1,000 miles a month costs about $47 in a Tesla Model Y, $56 in a Chevrolet Equinox EV and $82 in a Ford F-150 Lightning, charging at home.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to buy gas in Iowa?
Yes, if you charge at home. A Model Y driving 12,000 miles a year costs about $563 to charge here, against about $1,732 in gas for a 30-mpg car, a difference of roughly $1,170 a year.
How much does a Tesla Supercharger cost in Iowa?
The average standard (non-member) peak price at Iowa Superchargers open to all EVs was $0.55 per kWh in October 2026 (DCFC Tracker). That’s about $151 per 1,000 miles in a Model Y, against $47 at home.
When is the cheapest time to charge in Iowa?
On a standard flat-rate plan the hour doesn’t matter. On a time-of-use plan, the cheapest hours are usually overnight; our time-of-use guide explains how to check your plan. To use your exact rate, try the EV charging cost calculator.