Electricity rates vary considerably by state, and even by utility within the same state, so there’s no single national number that applies to everyone. Rates are typically expressed in cents per kWh, and the difference between a cheap state and an expensive one can be significant enough to meaningfully change your EV’s real cost per mile.
Why rates differ so much by location
Electricity pricing depends on a state’s energy mix, regulatory environment, infrastructure costs, and local utility structure, factors that vary widely across the country. States with abundant hydroelectric or other low-cost generation tend to have lower average rates, while states with more expensive generation or transmission costs tend to run higher. Our post on where your state gets its electricity from covers the generation-mix side of this in more detail.
It’s not just state versus state
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Utility company | Multiple utilities can operate within the same state at different rates. |
| Time of use | Many utilities offer lower off-peak or overnight rates, often specifically designed to encourage EV charging during low-demand hours. |
| Residential vs. commercial rates | Public charging stations often pay commercial rates, which differ from what you’d pay charging at home. |
| Seasonal changes | Some utilities adjust rates seasonally based on demand. |
Why this matters for your EV specifically
Since your cost per mile is your electricity rate multiplied by your car’s efficiency, the same EV can be meaningfully cheaper or more expensive to run purely based on where you live and, in some cases, what time of day you charge. Enrolling in a time-of-use or EV-specific rate plan, where available, can lower your effective cost further without changing anything about how you drive.
💡 Tip: See current rates for your area on our EV Electricity Rates page, then run your own numbers with our Charging Cost Calculator.