EV Charging Cost Calculator
Find out what it costs to charge your electric car. Enter the battery size, how much you charge, and your electricity rates. Compare home charging with a public charger and see the range you add.
Cost to charge at home
8.00
Check the highlighted fields to see your result.
- At the public rate
- 22.50
- Energy from the grid
- 50 kWh
- Range added
- 158 mi
- Cost per mile
- 0.051
Results are estimates for information only and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.
How it works
The calculator first works out how much energy goes into the battery: the battery size times the share you charge. Because some energy is lost while charging, the amount taken from the grid is a bit higher. The cost is that grid energy multiplied by your rate. Rates are editable, so you can use your own home tariff and a public charging price of your choice.
The formulas
Battery energy = battery size × (end % − start %) ÷ 100
Cost = battery energy ÷ (1 − losses) × rate per kWh
Worked example
A 75 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80%, with 10% charging losses, at 0.16 per kWh at home.
- Energy to the battery: 75 × 60 ÷ 100 = 45 kWh.
- Energy from the grid: 45 ÷ 0.90 = 50 kWh.
- Cost at home: 50 × 0.16 = 8.00. At a public rate of 0.45 it would be 22.50.
- At 3.5 miles per kWh, those 45 kWh add about 157 miles, or 0.05 per mile.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
It depends on the battery size, how much you charge, and your electricity rate. Charging a 75 kWh battery from 20% to 80% takes about 50 kWh from the grid, which is around 8 at 0.16 per kWh. Public fast chargers usually cost two to three times more than home charging.
Why does the grid supply more energy than goes into the battery?
Some energy is lost as heat in the charger and the car while charging, typically 5% to 15%. That is why the calculator asks for charging losses and bills you for the larger amount taken from the grid.
Where do I find my electricity rate?
Look at your electricity bill for the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). If your plan has different prices at different hours, use the rate for the hours when you usually charge, often overnight. Add taxes and fees if you want the true cost.