Washington EV charging vs. gas costs
Washington's average residential electricity rate is 14.36¢/kWh,below the national average by 24%. Gasoline averages $5.02/gallon, above the national average by 32%. That ranks Washington #11 of 51 for cheapest electricity and #49 for cheapest gas.
Cost per mile in Washington
Charging an EV at 3.5 mi/kWh on Washington's 14.36¢/kWh residential rate works out to about 4.1¢ per mile. A gas car at 28 MPG paying $5.02/gallon pays about 17.9¢ per mile — roughly 4.4× as much per mile driven.
Example: 12,000 miles a year in Washington
A gas car at 28 MPG driving 12,000 miles a year in Washington spends about $2,151 on gasoline. An EV at 3.5 mi/kWh charging at home over the same distance spends about $492 on electricity — a difference of $1,659 a year, or about $8,295 over five years.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to drive an EV or a gas car in Washington?
In Washington, an EV charging at home costs about 4.1¢ per mile, versus about 17.9¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at the state's $5.02/gallon average. The EV is cheaper to fuel per mile.
How much can an EV save per year in Washington?
Driving 12,000 miles a year, an EV owner in Washington spends about $492 on home charging versus $2,151 on gasoline — a saving of roughly $1,659 per year, or $8,295 over five years.