EV Charging Cost Calculator
Calculate the cost to charge an electric vehicle at home or public charging stations. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Energy Needed = Battery × (Target% - Current%) / 100 | Cost = Energy × Rate
Home charging (Level 2) is cheapest at ~$0.12/kWh. Public fast chargers: $0.30-0.60/kWh. Charging to 80% is most efficient.
Worked Examples
Example 1: 60kWh battery 20→80%
Problem:60kWh battery, 20% to 80%, $0.12/kWh
Solution:36kWh × $0.12 = $4.32
Result:$4.32 (Level 2: 5 hrs)
Example 2: Public DC fast charging top-up
Problem:A 75 kWh battery is charged from 15% to 80% at a public DC fast charger billing $0.35/kWh.
Solution:Energy needed = 75 × (80 - 15) / 100 = 48.75 kWh\nCost = 48.75 × $0.35 = $17.06\nDC fast time ≈ 48.75 / 50 = 0.98 hrs (≈59 min, before tapering above 80%)
Result:$17.06 for the session (≈59 minutes at 50kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I estimate EV range and charging costs?
EV range depends on battery size (kWh), efficiency (miles per kWh, typically 3-4), temperature, speed, and terrain. Charging cost = battery size x electricity rate / charger efficiency (about 90%). At $0.15/kWh, fully charging a 75 kWh battery costs about $12.50.
How do I calculate fuel cost per mile?
Divide the price per gallon by your vehicle's MPG. At $3.50/gallon with 28 MPG, your fuel cost is $0.125 per mile. For total driving costs including maintenance, insurance, and depreciation, the IRS standard mileage rate (67 cents/mile in 2024) provides a rough benchmark.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy