EV Charge Hawaii is the most expensive state to charge an EV at home, at 48.00¢ per kilowatt-hour—nearly three times the national average of 18.31¢. Despite this steep rate, charging a Tesla Model Y in Hawaii still costs less per mile than driving a 30-mpg gas car, and all 10 of the priciest charging states offer the same advantage.
The 10 most expensive states
| # | State | Home price per kWh | Model Y per 1,000 mi | 30-mpg gas car per 1,000 mi | EV still cheaper? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 48.00¢ | $132 | $144 | Yes |
| 2 | California | 33.61¢ | $92 | $203 | Yes |
| 3 | Maine | 32.41¢ | $89 | $144 | Yes |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 30.49¢ | $84 | $142 | Yes |
| 5 | New York | 29.90¢ | $82 | $145 | Yes |
| 6 | Alaska | 28.83¢ | $79 | $144 | Yes |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 28.29¢ | $78 | $144 | Yes |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 26.60¢ | $73 | $144 | Yes |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | $69 | $144 | Yes |
| 10 | New Jersey | 25.19¢ | $69 | $144 | Yes |
Why the numbers look like this
Electricity rates vary across states based on factors like grid infrastructure, fuel sources, transmission costs, and local regulation. States with higher rates tend to have older grids, reliance on expensive fuel sources, or geographic challenges that increase delivery costs. Even in expensive states, EVs remain efficient enough to cost less to operate than conventional cars. A Model Y uses electricity more efficiently than a gas engine converts fuel to motion, which is why even Hawaii’s premium rates don’t erase the EV cost advantage. Second-place California and third-place Maine show that high electricity costs appear across different regions and grid types.
What you can do
- Check your state’s residential electricity rate and multiply by your EV’s efficiency rating to estimate your true per-mile cost before buying.
- If you live in a top-10 expensive state, charging during off-peak hours (if your utility offers time-of-use rates) can lower your effective cost.
- Compare your total annual EV charging cost to what you would spend on gas for the same annual mileage to see your real savings.
Frequently asked questions
Is charging an EV cheaper than gas even in the most expensive states?
Yes. In all 10 of the most expensive charging states, a Model Y costs less to operate per mile than a 30-mpg gas car. Hawaii, the priciest state, still comes out ahead.
How much more does charging cost in Hawaii compared to the national average?
Hawaii’s rate of 48.00¢ per kilowatt-hour is significantly higher than the U.S. average of 18.31¢, making it an outlier. This difference compounds over a year of driving.
What’s the real annual cost difference between charging in Hawaii and the rest of the country?
A Model Y owner in Hawaii pays 980 dollars more per year than one in a state with average U.S. electricity rates, based on typical annual mileage.
Does a gas car cost more or less per year than an EV in expensive charging states?
A 30-mpg gas car costs more to fuel per year than an EV does to charge, even in Hawaii and other top-10 expensive states.
Which states made the top 10 most expensive for EV charging?
Hawaii ranks first, followed by California in second place and Maine in third. The full list is shown in the table below.
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.