EV Charge At South Dakota’s average of 15.15¢ per kWh, a Tesla Model Y costs about $42 per 1,000 miles to charge at home, or $0.042 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 South Dakota 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) | $42 | $500 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV AWD (32.6 kWh/100 mi) | $49 | $593 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1 (47.9 kWh/100 mi) | $73 | $871 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $144 | $1,732 |
What’s going on with electricity prices in South Dakota
South Dakota electricity averaged 15.15¢ per kWh in August 2026, #35 of 51 and below the national average of 18.16¢. Prices rose 9.0% over the past year.
Hydroelectric dams on the Missouri River and a growing number of wind farms supply much of South Dakota’s power. Several utilities and many cooperatives share the state, so what you pay depends a lot on who serves your town.
South Dakota vs. its neighbors
| State | Price per kWh | Per 1,000 miles (Model Y) | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $42 | — |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $37 | -12% |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $37 | -11% |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $40 | -5% |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $43 | +3% |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $47 | +13% |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $47 | +14% |
South Dakota borders six states and three of them pay less per kWh. North Dakota is the cheapest at 13.31¢; Minnesota is the priciest at 17.20¢.
What popular EVs cost to charge in South Dakota
| EV | Per 1,000 miles | Per year (12,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | $42 | $500 |
| Tesla Model 3 | $45 | $538 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $48 | $576 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | $49 | $593 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $51 | $611 |
| Kia EV9 | $65 | $782 |
| Rivian R1S | $67 | $807 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | $73 | $871 |
Home charging vs Tesla Superchargers vs gas in South Dakota
| How you fuel 1,000 miles (Tesla Model Y) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home, South Dakota average (15.15¢/kWh) | $42 |
| Tesla Supercharger, standard rate ($0.60/kWh) | $165 |
| Tesla Supercharger, member rate (est. $0.42/kWh, $12.99/month fee) | $115 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg ($4.33/gal) | $144 |
In South Dakota, a standard-rate Supercharger session costs about 4.0 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. With only 1 site in the sample, treat the Supercharger figure as a rough guide.
How to pay less to charge in South Dakota
Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, NorthWestern Energy, Otter Tail Power, Montana-Dakota Utilities and many electric cooperatives serve South Dakota. South Dakota is not a retail-choice state, so ask your own utility about off-peak or EV rates.
Your utility’s website lists its residential rates and any off-peak option. Use that price in the EV charging cost calculator.
South Dakota EV charging FAQ
How much does it cost to charge an EV in South Dakota per month?
At the South Dakota average of 15.15¢ per kWh, 1,000 miles a month costs about $42 in a Tesla Model Y, $49 in a Chevrolet Equinox EV and $73 in a Ford F-150 Lightning, charging at home.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to buy gas in South Dakota?
Yes, if you charge at home. A Model Y driving 12,000 miles a year costs about $500 to charge here, against about $1,732 in gas for a 30-mpg car, a difference of roughly $1,230 a year.
How much does a Tesla Supercharger cost in South Dakota?
The average standard (non-member) peak price at South Dakota Superchargers open to all EVs was $0.60 per kWh in October 2026 (DCFC Tracker). That’s about $165 per 1,000 miles in a Model Y, against $42 at home.
When is the cheapest time to charge in South Dakota?
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.