EV Charging Cost in Rhode Island (2026)
Home rate: 27.8¢/kWh (11.7¢ above the national average). Charging 12,000 mi/yr at home costs $878. Public DC fast charging costs $1225 for the same miles.
Charging Costs in Rhode Island by Method
| Charging Method | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost Per Mile | 12,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 2 | 27.8¢ | 7.3¢ | $878 |
| Public Level 2 | 69.5¢ | 18.3¢ | $2195 |
| DC Fast Charging | 38.8¢ | 10.2¢ | $1225 |
| Typical Mix (80% home / 15% L2 / 5% DCFC) | – | 9.1¢ | $1093 |
| Gas Car (28 MPG) | $3.48/gal | 12.4¢ | $1491 |
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 Rhode Island.
EV vs Gas in Rhode Island: Fuel Cost Comparison
EV Charging in Rhode Island: What to Know
Rhode Island's residential electricity rate of 27.8¢/kWh is 11.7¢ above the national average of 16.1¢/kWh. High electricity rates in Rhode Island 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 7.3¢ per mile for home charging versus 12.4¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at current Rhode Island gas prices ($3.48/gallon), the per-mile gap is 5.1¢. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $613 in favor of the EV.
Most Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
| Network | DC Fast (¢/kWh) | vs Home |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | 28¢–48¢ | 37% more |
| Electrify America | 25¢–48¢ | 31% more |
| EVgo | 37¢–55¢ | 65% more |
| ChargePoint | 15¢–49¢ | Varies by owner |
Network rates as of Q1 2026. Home rate: 27.8¢/kWh. "vs Home" uses network midpoint rate vs Rhode Island's residential average. See the full charging cost comparison →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Rhode Island?
Home charging in Rhode Island costs 27.8¢/kWh. For a typical EV (3.8 mi/kWh), that's 7.3¢ per mile. Driving 12,000 miles per year costs about $878 at home. Public DC fast charging runs about $1225 for the same miles.
Is Rhode Island a good state for EV ownership?
Rhode Island's electricity rate of 27.8¢/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 Rhode Island?
At $3.48/gallon (#{@state[:name]} average), a 28 MPG gas car costs $1491/year for 12,000 miles. An EV charged at home costs $878. Home charging saves $613/year — $3,065 over 5 years, before accounting for maintenance savings.
Compare Other States
Data Sources
Residential electricity rate for Rhode Island: 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.