Illinois EV charging vs. gas costs
Illinois's average residential electricity rate is 20.47¢/kWh,above the national average by 9%. Gasoline averages $3.98/gallon, above the national average by 5%. That ranks Illinois #36 of 51 for cheapest electricity and #42 for cheapest gas.
Cost per mile in Illinois
Charging an EV at 3.5 mi/kWh on Illinois's 20.47¢/kWh residential rate works out to about 5.8¢ per mile. A gas car at 28 MPG paying $3.98/gallon pays about 14.2¢ per mile — roughly 2.4× as much per mile driven.
Example: 12,000 miles a year in Illinois
A gas car at 28 MPG driving 12,000 miles a year in Illinois spends about $1,706 on gasoline. An EV at 3.5 mi/kWh charging at home over the same distance spends about $702 on electricity — a difference of $1,004 a year, or about $5,019 over five years.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to drive an EV or a gas car in Illinois?
In Illinois, an EV charging at home costs about 5.8¢ per mile, versus about 14.2¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at the state's $3.98/gallon average. The EV is cheaper to fuel per mile.
How much can an EV save per year in Illinois?
Driving 12,000 miles a year, an EV owner in Illinois spends about $702 on home charging versus $1,706 on gasoline — a saving of roughly $1,004 per year, or $5,019 over five years.