How much do I save on EV fuel costs moving from Idaho to Washington?

Switching from Idaho to Washington saves about $19/year on EV home charging at 12,000 miles/year. Over 5 years that's roughly $95 — before accounting for any public charging.

How do Idaho and Washington electricity rates compare to the national average?

The national average residential electricity rate is 16.1¢/kWh ($508/year for 12,000 EV miles). Idaho at 10.8¢/kWh is 5.3¢ below the national average. Washington at 10.2¢/kWh is 5.9¢ below.

How much does an EV save vs gas in Idaho vs Washington?

At current gas prices, a 28-MPG gas car costs $1436/year to fuel in Idaho — an EV saves roughly $1095/year there. In Washington, the gas cost runs $1736/year, making the EV savings about $1414/year. Both states favor EVs on fuel cost; the margin just differs.

EV Charging Cost: Idaho vs Washington (2026)

Q: Is EV charging cheaper in Idaho or Washington?

Washington has lower home electricity rates for EV charging — Idaho averages 10.8¢/kWh vs. 10.2¢/kWh in Washington. At 12,000 miles/year (3.8 mi/kWh), that's $341/year in Idaho vs. $322/year in Washington — a $19/year difference.

Washington electricity runs 10.2¢/kWh vs 10.8¢/kWh in Idaho. At 12,000 miles/year, that's $19/year less to charge at home.

Idaho

10.8¢

per kWh

$341/year

-5.3¢ vs national avg

Washington

10.2¢

per kWh

$322/year

-5.9¢ vs national avg

Idaho vs Washington — EV Charging Breakdown

Home charging at 12,000 miles/year (3.8 mi/kWh efficiency). Green = lower cost.

Metric	Idaho	Washington	National Avg
Electricity rate	10.8¢/kWh	10.2¢/kWh ✓	16.1¢/kWh
Cost per mile (EV)	2.8¢/mi	2.7¢/mi ✓	4.2¢/mi
Annual home charging	$341/yr	$322/yr ✓	$508/yr
Gas savings vs EV	$1095/yr	$1414/yr ✓	—

EIA 2025 residential rates. 12,000 mi/year at 3.8 mi/kWh. Gas savings vs. 28 MPG car at state avg pump price. Home charging only — public L2 runs ~2–3× more, DCFC ~3–4×.

Annual Cost Impact

At 12,000 miles/year, home EV charging costs $341/year in Idaho vs $322/year in Washington. Washington comes out $19/year ahead.

Monthly savings

Annual savings

$19

5-year savings

$95

Rate difference

0.6¢

Savings = Idaho minus Washington home charging cost at 12,000 miles/year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EV charging cheaper in Idaho or Washington?

Washington at 10.2¢/kWh vs. 10.8¢/kWh in Idaho. At 12,000 miles/year, that gap is $19/year — real money over a 5-year lease or ownership period.

How much does an EV cost to charge annually in each state?

At home (100% home charging): Idaho runs $341/year, Washington runs $322/year. Switching from public L2 charging adds roughly 2.5× on top of the home rate.

How much does an EV save on fuel vs. a gas car in Idaho?

In Idaho, a 28-MPG gas car costs about $1436/year in fuel. An EV at 10.8¢/kWh costs $341/year — roughly $1095/year less.

Do electricity rates vary within a state?

Yes. Statewide averages hide real spread between utilities. California's PG&E customers pay well above the state average, while LADWP customers pay less. If you're buying an EV, check your specific utility's EV rate — many offer off-peak discounts that cut the effective rate by 30–50%.

Related Comparisons

Washington vs California → Washington vs Oregon →

See full breakdown: EV charging in Idaho · EV charging in Washington · All state comparisons · EV vs gas by state