EV Charge The quick way: divide your bill’s total charges (without the fixed monthly fee) by the kWh you used. That’s the price each extra kWh costs you, and it’s the number to put in the calculator. Statewide averages are only a fallback.
Step by step, with an example bill
| Line on the bill | Example |
|---|---|
| Total amount due | $142.37 |
| Fixed customer / service charge | $12.50 |
| Electricity used this period | 820 kWh |
| Your price per kWh | ($142.37 − $12.50) ÷ 820 = 15.8¢ |
Why remove the fixed charge? Because you pay it whether or not you own an EV. Charging adds kWh, not customer fees, so including it would overstate what the car costs.
Supply vs. delivery
Most bills split the price into supply (the energy itself) and delivery (the wires that bring it to you). Both scale with kWh, so include both. In states with retail choice, such as Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio, only the supply part changes when you switch provider.
Three cases where the simple division misleads you
- Tiered rates: the price rises once you pass a monthly threshold. EV charging usually lands in the higher tier, so use the top tier’s price.
- Time-of-use plans: use the price for the hours you actually charge. See TOU rates explained.
- Seasonal rates: summer and winter prices can differ a lot. Average two bills from different seasons.
Got your number? Put it in the EV charging cost calculator.
What your number means in dollars
| Price per kWh | Rate | Charging 275 kWh a month |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (state average) | 12.72¢ | $35 |
| U.S. average | 18.31¢ | $50 |
| Hawaii (state average) | 48.00¢ | $132 |
Your own rate can sit well above or below your state average, depending on your utility and plan. That gap is why the calculator asks for your number.
A tiered bill, worked through
Say your plan charges 15¢ for the first 500 kWh a month and 22¢ after that, and your home already uses 450 kWh. The car’s 275 kWh then costs 50 kWh × 15¢ + 225 kWh × 22¢ = $57.00. That’s an effective 20.7¢ per kWh for charging, higher than the average price on the bill.
Bill terms worth knowing
- Fuel or power cost adjustment: a per-kWh line that moves with the utility’s fuel costs. Include it.
- Riders: small per-kWh surcharges for programs like efficiency or storm recovery. Include them.
- Taxes: usually a percentage of the bill, so they grow with your usage. Include them.
- Customer or basic charge: the fixed monthly fee. Leave it out.
- Demand charge: rare on home bills, based on your highest use in a short window. If you have one, charging slowly matters.
Sources: EIA: understanding electricity prices. Updated October 18, 2026. Estimates for comparison, not advice. How we calculate · Report an error.