EV Charging Cost Calculator
Find out exactly what it costs to charge an electric car — at home, on a public AC charger or on a DC fast charger — per 100 km, per month and per year.
1. Your EV
Cars: 15-18 · SUVs: 19-24.
Typical: 10,000-20,000 km.
Own a home charger? 80-100%.
AC home: ~10% · DC fast: ~5%.
2. Electricity prices ($ / kWh)
US ~$0.15 · UK ~$0.28 · EU ~$0.25.
Destination / workplace chargers.
150 kW+ highway chargers.
Tip: tap the preset buttons to load typical prices for your region.
Cost per 100 km
Cost per month
Cost per year
You save / year
vs the petrol equivalent
Home vs public breakdown
AC vs DC charging cost
Public DC chargers often charge by the minute or add a session fee. Always check the app before plugging in.
Worked example: a 15,000 km/year EV
Take a mid-size EV using 17 kWh/100km, charged 80% at home ($0.15/kWh) and 20% on public chargers ($0.40/kWh blended). Add 10% charging losses:
| Item | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Energy used per year | 15,000 / 100 × 17 kWh × 1.10 | 2,805 kWh |
| Home energy | 2,805 × 0.80 × $0.15 | $336.60 |
| Public energy | 2,805 × 0.20 × $0.40 | $224.40 |
| Total electricity / year | home + public | $561 / year |
| Equivalent petrol | 15,000/100 × 6.5 L × $1.75 | $1,706 / year |
| Annual saving | petrol − electricity | ≈ $1,145 / year |
Over 5 years that's roughly $5,700 saved on fuel alone — before maintenance, insurance or incentives. Try the slider presets above with your own numbers.
How to cut your charging bill
- Charge overnight on an off-peak tariff. Many providers charge $0.05-0.10/kWh at night — up to 60% cheaper.
- Maximize home charging. Every 10% you move from public to home saves roughly $0.03-0.05 per km.
- Use free destination chargers. Malls, hotels and workplaces often offer free or cheap AC charging.
- Skip the last 20% on fast chargers. The 80-100% tail is 2-3x slower and charged per minute on some networks.
- Compare network apps. Prices vary wildly — a 15-minute check before charging can save $3-5 per session.
How it's calculated
- Energy per 100 km = consumption × (1 + loss/100).
- Home / public split applies your share of km to each price.
- Petrol reference assumes 6.5 L/100km at $1.75/L for a comparable car.
- Prices are estimates — check your local tariff and charger apps for exact figures.
Compare energy cost with the full ownership picture using our EV Total Cost of Ownership calculator, or see how consumption changes with weather in the Real Range calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
At home you pay your standard electricity tariff. With typical off-peak rates around $0.12–0.18/kWh and an EV using 15–20 kWh/100km, a full 100 km costs roughly $2–3.50 — far cheaper than petrol in almost every market.
Is public charging more expensive than home charging?
Usually yes. Public AC chargers run $0.25–0.45/kWh and DC fast chargers $0.40–0.75/kWh. A 100 km top-up can cost $6–14 on fast chargers, so home charging remains 3–5x cheaper where available.
What is the average cost of charging an electric car per month?
For 1,500 km/month at 18 kWh/100km and a $0.15/kWh home rate, expect around $40–50 per month of pure electricity. The exact figure depends on your consumption, tariff and how much you use public chargers.
How do I reduce my EV charging cost?
Charge overnight on an off-peak tariff, prefer home AC over public DC charging, use free destination chargers at work or malls, inflate tires correctly and drive efficiently. These habits can cut your charging bill by 40–60%.