EV Charge 
An EV owner saves $1,128 per year on fuel compared to a 30-mpg gas car across the United States. Savings range from $1,665 in Washington to $149 in Hawaii, with EVs cheaper than gas in all 51 states and Washington, D.C.
Every state, ranked by savings
| State | EV per year (home charging) | 30-mpg gas car per year | EV saves per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $485 | $2,151 | $1,665 |
| California | $1,109 | $2,442 | $1,333 |
| Louisiana | $420 | $1,732 | $1,313 |
| Nevada | $421 | $1,732 | $1,311 |
| Utah | $433 | $1,732 | $1,300 |
| North Dakota | $442 | $1,732 | $1,290 |
| Tennessee | $452 | $1,732 | $1,280 |
| Idaho | $453 | $1,732 | $1,279 |
| Nebraska | $455 | $1,732 | $1,278 |
| Kentucky | $456 | $1,732 | $1,277 |
| Arkansas | $473 | $1,732 | $1,260 |
| Oklahoma | $473 | $1,732 | $1,259 |
| Wyoming | $474 | $1,732 | $1,259 |
| Mississippi | $480 | $1,732 | $1,253 |
| Montana | $495 | $1,732 | $1,238 |
| Kansas | $504 | $1,732 | $1,229 |
| South Dakota | $507 | $1,732 | $1,225 |
| Arizona | $507 | $1,732 | $1,225 |
| South Carolina | $510 | $1,732 | $1,222 |
| West Virginia | $521 | $1,732 | $1,212 |
| Iowa | $528 | $1,732 | $1,205 |
| Oregon | $527 | $1,732 | $1,205 |
| Missouri | $531 | $1,732 | $1,202 |
| New Mexico | $531 | $1,732 | $1,202 |
| Alabama | $541 | $1,732 | $1,191 |
| Indiana | $552 | $1,732 | $1,180 |
| Virginia | $579 | $1,732 | $1,153 |
| Delaware | $610 | $1,732 | $1,123 |
| Colorado | $561 | $1,670 | $1,109 |
| Wisconsin | $629 | $1,732 | $1,104 |
| Minnesota | $576 | $1,674 | $1,098 |
| Florida | $496 | $1,593 | $1,097 |
| North Carolina | $500 | $1,572 | $1,071 |
| Georgia | $537 | $1,572 | $1,035 |
| Maryland | $706 | $1,732 | $1,026 |
| Illinois | $634 | $1,658 | $1,024 |
| Pennsylvania | $717 | $1,739 | $1,022 |
| Texas | $524 | $1,512 | $988 |
| Vermont | $784 | $1,732 | $949 |
| Connecticut | $797 | $1,732 | $935 |
| Ohio | $642 | $1,548 | $906 |
| New Jersey | $831 | $1,732 | $901 |
| District of Columbia | $832 | $1,732 | $901 |
| Michigan | $761 | $1,658 | $897 |
| New Hampshire | $878 | $1,732 | $855 |
| Rhode Island | $933 | $1,732 | $799 |
| Alaska | $951 | $1,732 | $781 |
| New York | $987 | $1,741 | $755 |
| Massachusetts | $1,006 | $1,703 | $697 |
| Maine | $1,069 | $1,732 | $663 |
| Hawaii | $1,584 | $1,732 | $149 |
Why the numbers look like this
The gap between states comes down to two factors: electricity rates and gas prices. States with lower grid costs and those where gas is already expensive see the biggest EV advantage. Gas prices follow national trends, but electricity rates vary widely based on local power generation, infrastructure costs, and regulation. A 30-mpg gas car costs $1,732 per year in fuel nationally, while charging an EV costs significantly less. The efficiency difference matters too—electric motors convert energy more efficiently than combustion engines, so even in states with higher electricity rates, the math still favors EVs. Geography and climate also play a role: states with different driving patterns and seasonal demand affect what people actually pay per kilowatt-hour.
What you can do
- Check your state’s electricity rate before buying an EV to understand your actual fuel costs.
- Compare your home charging cost to public charger networks in your area—prices vary.
- If you drive 12,000 miles or fewer per year, your EV savings will be lower than the state average.
- Time your charging during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV for a year?
A Tesla Model Y costs $604 per year to charge nationally on average, based on 12,000 miles driven. Your actual cost depends on your state’s electricity rates and your vehicle’s efficiency rating.
Why is Hawaii so much cheaper to charge than Washington?
Hawaii has lower savings because electricity rates are higher there, which cuts into the EV advantage. Washington has lower electricity costs, making the fuel savings larger.
Does an EV save money on fuel in every state?
Yes. In all 51 states and Washington, D.C., an EV is cheaper to fuel than a 30-mpg gas car. Even in the state with the smallest savings, the EV still comes out ahead.
How much does gas cost per year for a typical car?
A 30-mpg gas car costs $1,732 per year in fuel nationally at $4.33 per gallon, based on 12,000 miles driven annually.
Is this comparison fair?
Yes. We compared an EV to a 30-mpg gas car, which is the EPA efficiency rating for many midsize sedans and crossovers. Both are charged or fueled at July 2026 rates.
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.
