EV Charging Cost in California (2026)
Home rate: 30.6¢/kWh (14.5¢ above the national average). Charging 12,000 mi/yr at home costs $966. Public DC fast charging costs $1254 for the same miles.
Charging Costs in California by Method
| Charging Method | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost Per Mile | 12,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 2 | 30.6¢ | 8.1¢ | $966 |
| Public Level 2 | 76.5¢ | 20.1¢ | $2416 |
| DC Fast Charging | 39.7¢ | 10.4¢ | $1254 |
| Typical Mix (80% home / 15% L2 / 5% DCFC) | – | 10.0¢ | $1198 |
| Gas Car (28 MPG) | $4.85/gal | 17.3¢ | $2079 |
Assumes 3.8 mi/kWh EV efficiency, 12,000 miles/year. Public L2 and DCFC rates estimated from regional network pricing. Home rate: EIA 2025 residential average for California.
EV vs Gas in California: Fuel Cost Comparison
EV Charging in California: What to Know
California's residential electricity rate of 30.6¢/kWh is 14.5¢ above the national average of 16.1¢/kWh. High electricity rates in California reduce the fuel savings advantage of EVs. Check whether your utility offers a time-of-use (TOU) rate for overnight EV charging, which can cut costs substantially.
At 8.1¢ per mile for home charging versus 17.3¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at current California gas prices ($4.85/gallon), the per-mile gap is 9.2¢. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $1113 in favor of the EV.
Most California utilities offer time-of-use rates that can reduce overnight charging costs below the residential average. If you charge overnight (midnight to 6am), ask your utility about EV or off-peak rates. Even a few cents per kWh savings adds up to $100–$200/year for average EV drivers.
Public Charging Networks in California
| Network | DC Fast (¢/kWh) | vs Home |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | 28¢–48¢ | 24% more |
| Electrify America | 25¢–48¢ | 19% more |
| EVgo | 37¢–55¢ | 50% more |
| ChargePoint | 15¢–49¢ | Varies by owner |
Network rates as of Q1 2026. Home rate: 30.6¢/kWh. "vs Home" uses network midpoint rate vs California's residential average. See the full charging cost comparison →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in California?
Home charging in California costs 30.6¢/kWh. For a typical EV (3.8 mi/kWh), that's 8.1¢ per mile. Driving 12,000 miles per year costs about $966 at home. Public DC fast charging runs about $1254 for the same miles.
Is California a good state for EV ownership?
California's electricity rate of 30.6¢/kWh is above the national average (16.1¢), which reduces the fuel savings advantage EVs typically offer. Time-of-use rates from your utility can close this gap.
How much does EV charging save vs gas in California?
At $4.85/gallon (#{@state[:name]} average), a 28 MPG gas car costs $2079/year for 12,000 miles. An EV charged at home costs $966. Home charging saves $1113/year — $5,565 over 5 years, before accounting for maintenance savings.
Compare Other States
Data Sources
Residential electricity rate for California: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Electric Power Monthly, 2025 residential averages. Gas price: AAA 2024 state average. EV efficiency: 3.8 mi/kWh (Tesla Model 3 / Chevy Equinox EV range). Public charging network rates: Q1 2026 network pricing. Last updated: March 2026.