EV Charge Charging a Tesla Model Y at home in Montana costs about $43 per 1,000 miles at 15.57¢ per kWh, roughly $0.043 a mile. A 30-mpg gas car would spend about $144 on the same miles.
Electricity: EIA August 2026 · Gas: EIA week of October 12, 2026 · How we calculate
What Montana 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) | $43 | $514 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV AWD (32.6 kWh/100 mi) | $51 | $609 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1 (47.9 kWh/100 mi) | $75 | $895 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $144 | $1,732 |
What’s going on with electricity prices in Montana
Montana electricity averaged 15.57¢ per kWh in August 2026, #33 of 51 and below the national average of 18.16¢. Prices rose 9.0% over the past year.
Long distances and cold winters matter more here than the rate: cold weather cuts EV efficiency, and long rural drives mean more fast charging, which costs several times as much per kWh as charging at home.
Montana vs. its neighbors
| State | Price per kWh | Per 1,000 miles (Model Y) | vs. Montana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $43 | — |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $37 | -15% |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $37 | -14% |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $40 | -7% |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $42 | -3% |
All four of Montana’s neighbors pay less per kWh. North Dakota is the cheapest at 13.31¢; South Dakota comes closest to Montana’s 15.57¢ at 15.15¢.
What popular EVs cost to charge in Montana
| EV | Per 1,000 miles | Per year (12,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | $43 | $514 |
| Tesla Model 3 | $46 | $553 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $49 | $592 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | $51 | $609 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $52 | $628 |
| Kia EV9 | $67 | $803 |
| Rivian R1S | $69 | $829 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | $75 | $895 |
Home charging vs Tesla Superchargers vs gas in Montana
| How you fuel 1,000 miles (Tesla Model Y) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home, Montana average (15.57¢/kWh) | $43 |
| Tesla Supercharger, standard rate ($0.59/kWh) | $163 |
| Tesla Supercharger, member rate (est. $0.41/kWh, $12.99/month fee) | $114 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg ($4.33/gal) | $144 |
In Montana, a standard-rate Supercharger session costs about 3.8 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 Montana
NorthWestern Energy serves most of Montana, with Montana-Dakota Utilities in the east and many electric cooperatives in rural areas. Montana is not a retail-choice state for homes, so your utility’s own rates and any time-of-use option are the main lever.
NorthWestern Energy and the cooperatives publish their residential rates online. Plug your rate into the EV charging cost calculator, and read home vs fast charging before a long trip.
Montana EV charging FAQ
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Montana per month?
At the Montana average of 15.57¢ per kWh, 1,000 miles a month costs about $43 in a Tesla Model Y, $51 in a Chevrolet Equinox EV and $75 in a Ford F-150 Lightning, charging at home.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to buy gas in Montana?
Yes, if you charge at home. A Model Y driving 12,000 miles a year costs about $514 to charge here, against about $1,732 in gas for a 30-mpg car, a difference of roughly $1,220 a year.
How much does a Tesla Supercharger cost in Montana?
The average standard (non-member) peak price at Montana Superchargers open to all EVs was $0.59 per kWh in October 2026 (DCFC Tracker). That’s about $163 per 1,000 miles in a Model Y, against $43 at home.
When is the cheapest time to charge in Montana?
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.