EV Charging Cost in Illinois (2026)
Home rate: 14.9¢/kWh (1.2¢ below the national average). Charging 12,000 mi/yr at home costs $471. Public DC fast charging costs $1105 for the same miles.
Charging Costs in Illinois by Method
| Charging Method | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost Per Mile | 12,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 2 | 14.9¢ | 3.9¢ | $471 |
| Public Level 2 | 37.3¢ | 9.8¢ | $1178 |
| DC Fast Charging | 35.0¢ | 9.2¢ | $1105 |
| Typical Mix (80% home / 15% L2 / 5% DCFC) | – | 5.1¢ | $608 |
| Gas Car (28 MPG) | $3.55/gal | 12.7¢ | $1521 |
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 Illinois.
EV vs Gas in Illinois: Fuel Cost Comparison
EV Charging in Illinois: What to Know
Illinois's residential electricity rate of 14.9¢/kWh is 1.2¢ below the national average of 16.1¢/kWh. That's a reasonable rate for EV ownership — home charging will still save you significantly over gas.
At 3.9¢ per mile for home charging versus 12.7¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at current Illinois gas prices ($3.55/gallon), the per-mile gap is 8.8¢. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $1050 in favor of the EV.
Most Illinois 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 Illinois
| Network | DC Fast (¢/kWh) | vs Home |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | 28¢–48¢ | 155% more |
| Electrify America | 25¢–48¢ | 145% more |
| EVgo | 37¢–55¢ | 209% more |
| ChargePoint | 15¢–49¢ | Varies by owner |
Network rates as of Q1 2026. Home rate: 14.9¢/kWh. "vs Home" uses network midpoint rate vs Illinois's residential average. See the full charging cost comparison →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Illinois?
Home charging in Illinois costs 14.9¢/kWh. For a typical EV (3.8 mi/kWh), that's 3.9¢ per mile. Driving 12,000 miles per year costs about $471 at home. Public DC fast charging runs about $1105 for the same miles.
Is Illinois a good state for EV ownership?
Illinois's electricity rate of 14.9¢/kWh is below the national average (16.1¢), which makes it one of the better states for EV charging costs. The lower your electricity rate, the greater the fuel savings advantage over gas.
How much does EV charging save vs gas in Illinois?
At $3.55/gallon (#{@state[:name]} average), a 28 MPG gas car costs $1521/year for 12,000 miles. An EV charged at home costs $471. Home charging saves $1050/year — $5,250 over 5 years, before accounting for maintenance savings.
Compare Other States
Data Sources
Residential electricity rate for Illinois: 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.