EV Charging Cost in Tennessee (2026)
Home rate: 12.0¢/kWh (4.1¢ below the national average). Charging 12,000 mi/yr at home costs $379. Public DC fast charging costs $1077 for the same miles.
Charging Costs in Tennessee by Method
| Charging Method | Rate (¢/kWh) | Cost Per Mile | 12,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Level 2 | 12.0¢ | 3.2¢ | $379 |
| Public Level 2 | 30.0¢ | 7.9¢ | $947 |
| DC Fast Charging | 34.1¢ | 9.0¢ | $1077 |
| Typical Mix (80% home / 15% L2 / 5% DCFC) | – | 4.2¢ | $499 |
| Gas Car (28 MPG) | $2.95/gal | 10.5¢ | $1264 |
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 Tennessee.
EV vs Gas in Tennessee: Fuel Cost Comparison
EV Charging in Tennessee: What to Know
Tennessee's residential electricity rate of 12.0¢/kWh is 4.1¢ below the national average of 16.1¢/kWh. That puts Tennessee among the cheapest states for EV charging — you'll save more on fuel here than most EV owners nationwide.
At 3.2¢ per mile for home charging versus 10.5¢ per mile for a 28 MPG gas car at current Tennessee gas prices ($2.95/gallon), the per-mile gap is 7.3¢. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $885 in favor of the EV.
Most Tennessee 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 Tennessee
| Network | DC Fast (¢/kWh) | vs Home |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger | 28¢–48¢ | 217% more |
| Electrify America | 25¢–48¢ | 204% more |
| EVgo | 37¢–55¢ | 283% more |
| ChargePoint | 15¢–49¢ | Varies by owner |
Network rates as of Q1 2026. Home rate: 12.0¢/kWh. "vs Home" uses network midpoint rate vs Tennessee's residential average. See the full charging cost comparison →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Tennessee?
Home charging in Tennessee costs 12.0¢/kWh. For a typical EV (3.8 mi/kWh), that's 3.2¢ per mile. Driving 12,000 miles per year costs about $379 at home. Public DC fast charging runs about $1077 for the same miles.
Is Tennessee a good state for EV ownership?
Tennessee's electricity rate of 12.0¢/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 Tennessee?
At $2.95/gallon (#{@state[:name]} average), a 28 MPG gas car costs $1264/year for 12,000 miles. An EV charged at home costs $379. Home charging saves $885/year — $4,425 over 5 years, before accounting for maintenance savings.
Compare Other States
Data Sources
Residential electricity rate for Tennessee: 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.