California EV charging vs. gas costs
California's average residential electricity rate is 35.25¢/kWh,above the national average by 87%. Gasoline averages $5.37/gallon, above the national average by 42%. That ranks California #50 of 51 for cheapest electricity and #50 for cheapest gas.
Cost per mile in California
Charging an EV at 3.5 mi/kWh on California's 35.25¢/kWh residential rate works out to about 10.1¢ per mile. A gas car at 28 MPG paying $5.37/gallon pays about 19.2¢ per mile — roughly 1.9× as much per mile driven.
Example: 12,000 miles a year in California
A gas car at 28 MPG driving 12,000 miles a year in California spends about $2,301 on gasoline. An EV at 3.5 mi/kWh charging at home over the same distance spends about $1,209 on electricity — a difference of $1,093 a year, or about $5,464 over five years.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to drive an EV or a gas car in California?
In California, an EV charging at home costs about 10.1¢ per mile, versus about 19.2¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at the state's $5.37/gallon average. The EV is cheaper to fuel per mile.
How much can an EV save per year in California?
Driving 12,000 miles a year, an EV owner in California spends about $1,209 on home charging versus $2,301 on gasoline — a saving of roughly $1,093 per year, or $5,464 over five years.