Use the calculator below to estimate what charging your EV will actually add to your monthly electric bill, based on your driving distance, your vehicle’s efficiency, and your local electricity rate. For context on the national averages this calculator is based on, see our full guide on how much it costs to charge an EV at home.Miles driven per monthVehicle efficiency Compact EV (~4.0 mi/kWh) — e.g. Nissan Leaf, Mini Cooper SE Mid-size EV (~3.5 mi/kWh) — e.g. Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5 Mid-size SUV (~3.0 mi/kWh) — e.g. Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6 Large SUV / Truck (~2.2 mi/kWh) — e.g. F-150 Lightning, Rivian Custom — enter my own Your electricity rate ($/kWh)
Default is the approximate 2026 national average. Check your utility bill for your exact rate — it varies significantly by state.Compare to gas price ($/gallon, optional)Calculate My Monthly Cost
How This Calculator Works
The math behind your estimate is straightforward: monthly kWh used = miles driven ÷ your vehicle’s efficiency (miles per kWh), then cost = kWh used × your electricity rate. The gas comparison assumes a 25 MPG gas vehicle, a reasonable average for a comparable sedan or crossover — adjust your expectations up or down if you’re comparing against a more or less efficient gas vehicle.
Where to Find Your Actual Numbers
- Your electricity rate: check a recent utility bill, or look up your utility’s published residential rate online. If you’re on a time-of-use plan, your effective rate may be lower if you charge during off-peak hours — see our guide on scheduled off-peak charging.
- Your vehicle’s efficiency: check your car’s dashboard or app, which typically displays a running miles-per-kWh average based on your actual driving.
- Your monthly mileage: check your odometer over a month, or use your car’s trip computer if it tracks this automatically.
Why Your Real Bill Might Differ Slightly
This calculator estimates charging efficiency at the wall, but a small amount of energy is lost during charging (typically 10-15%, depending on the charger and conditions), meaning your actual electric bill increase may run slightly higher than the calculator’s estimate. Cold weather also reduces real-world efficiency, so winter months often cost a bit more than this calculator suggests for the same mileage. For a full breakdown of what affects your actual monthly cost, see our complete guide on home EV charging costs.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes based on the inputs you provide. Actual costs depend on your specific vehicle, driving conditions, and utility rate plan.
