EV Charging Cost in South Dakota (2026)
Home rate: 12.8¢/kWh (3.3¢ below the national average). Charging 12,000 mi/yr at home costs $404. Public DC fast charging costs $1083 for the same miles.
Charging Costs in South Dakota by Method
| Charging Method | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost Per Mile | 12,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 2 | 12.8¢ | 3.4¢ | $404 |
| Public Level 2 | 32.0¢ | 8.4¢ | $1011 |
| DC Fast Charging | 34.3¢ | 9.0¢ | $1083 |
| Typical Mix (80% home / 15% L2 / 5% DCFC) | – | 4.4¢ | $529 |
| Gas Car (28 MPG) | $3.12/gal | 11.1¢ | $1337 |
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 South Dakota.
EV vs Gas in South Dakota: Fuel Cost Comparison
EV Charging in South Dakota: What to Know
South Dakota's residential electricity rate of 12.8¢/kWh is 3.3¢ 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 3.4¢ per mile for home charging versus 11.1¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at current South Dakota gas prices ($3.12/gallon), the per-mile gap is 7.7¢. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $933 in favor of the EV.
Most South Dakota 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 South Dakota
| Network | DC Fast (¢/kWh) | vs Home |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | 28¢–48¢ | 197% more |
| Electrify America | 25¢–48¢ | 185% more |
| EVgo | 37¢–55¢ | 259% more |
| ChargePoint | 15¢–49¢ | Varies by owner |
Network rates as of Q1 2026. Home rate: 12.8¢/kWh. "vs Home" uses network midpoint rate vs South Dakota's residential average. See the full charging cost comparison →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in South Dakota?
Home charging in South Dakota costs 12.8¢/kWh. For a typical EV (3.8 mi/kWh), that's 3.4¢ per mile. Driving 12,000 miles per year costs about $404 at home. Public DC fast charging runs about $1083 for the same miles.
Is South Dakota a good state for EV ownership?
South Dakota's electricity rate of 12.8¢/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 South Dakota?
At $3.12/gallon (#{@state[:name]} average), a 28 MPG gas car costs $1337/year for 12,000 miles. An EV charged at home costs $404. Home charging saves $933/year — $4,665 over 5 years, before accounting for maintenance savings.
Compare Other States
Data Sources
Residential electricity rate for South Dakota: 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.