How much do I save on EV fuel costs moving from Michigan to Illinois?

Switching from Michigan to Illinois saves about $107/year on EV home charging at 12,000 miles/year. Over 5 years that's roughly $535 — before accounting for any public charging.

How do Michigan and Illinois electricity rates compare to the national average?

The national average residential electricity rate is 16.1¢/kWh ($508/year for 12,000 EV miles). Michigan at 18.3¢/kWh is 2.2¢ above the national average. Illinois at 14.9¢/kWh is 1.2¢ below.

How much does an EV save vs gas in Michigan vs Illinois?

At current gas prices, a 28-MPG gas car costs $1380/year to fuel in Michigan — an EV saves roughly $802/year there. In Illinois, the gas cost runs $1521/year, making the EV savings about $1050/year. Both states favor EVs on fuel cost; the margin just differs.

EV Charging Cost: Michigan vs Illinois (2026)

Q: Is EV charging cheaper in Michigan or Illinois?

Illinois has lower home electricity rates for EV charging — Michigan averages 18.3¢/kWh vs. 14.9¢/kWh in Illinois. At 12,000 miles/year (3.8 mi/kWh), that's $578/year in Michigan vs. $471/year in Illinois — a $107/year difference.

Illinois electricity runs 14.9¢/kWh vs 18.3¢/kWh in Michigan. At 12,000 miles/year, that's $107/year less to charge at home.

Michigan

18.3¢

per kWh

$578/year

+2.2¢ vs national avg

Illinois

14.9¢

per kWh

$471/year

-1.2¢ vs national avg

Michigan vs Illinois — EV Charging Breakdown

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

Metric	Michigan	Illinois	National Avg
Electricity rate	18.3¢/kWh	14.9¢/kWh ✓	16.1¢/kWh
Cost per mile (EV)	4.8¢/mi	3.9¢/mi ✓	4.2¢/mi
Annual home charging	$578/yr	$471/yr ✓	$508/yr
Gas savings vs EV	$802/yr	$1050/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 $578/year in Michigan vs $471/year in Illinois. Illinois comes out $107/year ahead.

Monthly savings

Annual savings

$107

5-year savings

$535

Rate difference

3.4¢

Savings = Michigan minus Illinois home charging cost at 12,000 miles/year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EV charging cheaper in Michigan or Illinois?

Illinois at 14.9¢/kWh vs. 18.3¢/kWh in Michigan. At 12,000 miles/year, that gap is $107/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): Michigan runs $578/year, Illinois runs $471/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 Michigan?

In Michigan, a 28-MPG gas car costs about $1380/year in fuel. An EV at 18.3¢/kWh costs $578/year — roughly $802/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

Illinois vs Texas → Ohio vs Michigan →

See full breakdown: EV charging in Michigan · EV charging in Illinois · All state comparisons · EV vs gas by state