How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in 2026?
UK and US electricity rates, home vs public charging, and the true cost-per-mile of popular EVs.
The Basic Formula
Cost per mile = (kWh per mile) × (price per kWh).
A Tesla Model 3 uses about 0.25 kWh per mile. At a US home rate of $0.17/kWh, that's $0.04 per mile. A comparable petrol car (30 mpg) at $3.20/gallon costs $0.11 per mile. The EV is roughly one-third the cost.
Plug your specific car and rate into our electricity cost calculator for an exact figure.
2026 Electricity Rates: US and UK
| Region | Typical Home Rate | Time-of-Use Off-Peak | Public Rapid Charger |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (national avg) | $0.17/kWh | $0.08–0.12/kWh | $0.40–0.55/kWh |
| California | $0.33/kWh | $0.22–0.28/kWh | $0.45–0.60/kWh |
| Texas | $0.14/kWh | $0.06–0.10/kWh | $0.35–0.45/kWh |
| UK (standard) | £0.24/kWh | £0.08/kWh (Octopus Go) | £0.70–0.85/kWh |
| UK (EV tariff) | £0.24/kWh | £0.065–0.09/kWh | £0.70–0.85/kWh |
Home Charging: The Cheap Option
If you have off-street parking and a home charger (roughly $400–700 US, £800–1,200 UK installed), nearly all your charging can happen overnight.
Tesla Model 3 full charge (75 kWh usable):
- US average rate ($0.17): $12.75 for ~300 miles = $0.042/mile
- US off-peak ($0.10): $7.50 for ~300 miles = $0.025/mile
- UK standard (£0.24): £18.00 for ~300 miles = £0.06/mile
- UK Octopus Go off-peak (£0.08): £6.00 for ~300 miles = £0.02/mile
Public Rapid Charging: The Expensive Option
Rapid chargers (50 kW and up) are convenient but cost 2–4x more than home electricity.
Same Tesla Model 3 at a rapid charger:
- US Supercharger ($0.45/kWh): $33.75 for 300 miles = $0.11/mile (about the same as petrol)
- UK Ionity (£0.79/kWh): £59.25 for 300 miles = £0.20/mile (more than petrol)
This is where people get burned. A driver who can only use public chargers pays almost the same per mile as a petrol car owner — losing the EV's biggest running-cost advantage.
Annual Running Cost: EV vs Petrol Comparison
Assuming 12,000 miles per year:
| Car | Annual Fuel/Electricity |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 (home, off-peak US) | $300/year |
| Tesla Model 3 (home, standard US) | $510/year |
| Tesla Model 3 (public rapid US) | $1,320/year |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid (petrol, US) | $820/year |
| VW Golf (petrol, UK) | £1,500/year |
| VW ID.3 (home standard, UK) | £720/year |
| VW ID.3 (home off-peak, UK) | £240/year |
The Hidden Costs People Forget
- Home charger installation: $400–700 US, £800–1,200 UK (government grants partially cover this).
- Increased electricity bill: charging a 75 kWh pack weekly adds 300 kWh/month — about $50/month at average US rates.
- Battery replacement: rare, but $8,000–$15,000 after warranty (typically 8 years / 100,000 miles).
- Depreciation: EVs have depreciated faster than petrol cars in 2024–2025; watch this before buying used.
How to Cut EV Running Costs in Half
- Switch to an off-peak EV tariff. In the UK, Octopus Go charges just £0.08/kWh between midnight and 5am. In the US, most utilities offer EV time-of-use plans.
- Install a smart charger. Schedules charging for cheapest hours automatically.
- Avoid 80–100% daily charging. Charging to 80% is cheaper, faster, and better for the battery.
- Drive efficiently. Easy on acceleration, coast to stops. Range can swing 20–30% with driving style.
- Use free chargers. Many supermarkets, hotels and workplaces offer free Level 2 charging.
The Bottom Line
If you can charge at home on an off-peak tariff, an EV is dramatically cheaper to run than a petrol equivalent — often by 60–80%. If you can only use public rapid chargers, the savings vanish. Make sure you have home charging access before committing to an EV.