How Much Electricity Does a Home EV Charger Really Use?
Quick Answers
Is home EV charging cheaper than a full commercial charging session?
Generally yes — home charging on a residential rate is typically cheaper per kWh than public fast-charging networks.
Does my state's electricity rate matter for EV charging cost?
Significantly — the same charging session costs nearly 4x more in Hawaii than in North Dakota, purely from the rate difference.
Can time-of-use rates lower EV charging cost further?
Yes — overnight off-peak charging windows are one of the clearest, most reliable use cases for time-of-use rate plans.
The basic math
Most EVs use roughly 30-35 kWh per 100 miles; at the national average rate, that's about $6.60 per 100 miles of home charging, before any time-of-use discount.
How this compares to gasoline
At typical efficiency and fuel price levels, home EV charging is generally the cheaper option per mile, though the gap varies by local electricity and gas prices.
Where state rate and time-of-use plans matter most
Because charging is one of the most schedule-flexible loads in a household, it's often the single best candidate for shifting to an off-peak time-of-use window.
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