EV Charge Charging a Tesla Model Y at home in Washington runs about $40 per 1,000 miles, roughly $0.040 a mile, at the state’s average of 14.63¢ per kWh. A 30-mpg gas car covering the same distance burns about $179 in fuel.
Updated October 25, 2026 · Electricity: EIA August 2026 · Gas: EIA week of October 12, 2026 · How we calculate
What Washington 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) | $40 | $483 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV AWD (32.6 kWh/100 mi) | $48 | $573 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1 (47.9 kWh/100 mi) | $70 | $841 |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $179 | $2,151 |
What’s going on with electricity prices in Washington
Washington’s home electricity is among the cheapest in the country (14.63¢ per kWh, #40 of 51), largely because so much of the state’s power comes from hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Prices rose 7.2% over the past year, against 3.4% for the U.S. as a whole.
Gas tells the other half of the story. Washington drivers paid around $5.38 a gallon the week of October 12, 2026, about $1.05 above the national average. Cheap power plus expensive gas is why the EV advantage here is so large: roughly $1,670 a year against a 30-mpg car.
Washington vs. its neighbors
| State | Price per kWh | Per 1,000 miles (Model Y) | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $40 | — |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $37 | -9% |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $44 | +9% |
Washington has only two land neighbors. Idaho pays 13.37¢ and Oregon pays 15.92¢, against Washington’s 14.63¢.
How to pay less to charge in Washington
Washington is not a retail-choice state, so your utility depends on where you live: Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Avista, Tacoma Power or one of the many public utility districts. Public utilities here often charge some of the lowest rates in the country. Check whether yours offers a time-of-use or EV rate before assuming the flat price is your only option.
Look up your utility’s residential rate, and any time-of-use option, on its own site, then enter it in the EV charging cost calculator. If you’re comparing plans, how time-of-use rates work explains what to look for.