EV vs Gas Cost Per Mile in South Dakota (2026)
At 12.8¢/kWh electricity and $3.12/gallon gas, EVs cost 3.37¢/mile vs 11.14¢/mile for a 28 MPG gas car — 70% less per mile. That's $933/year savings on 12,000 miles.
Cost Per Mile: EV vs Gas in South Dakota
| Vehicle Type | Fuel Cost | Efficiency | Cost Per Mile | 12,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV (home charging) | 12.8¢/kWh | 3.8 mi/kWh | 3.37¢ | $404 |
| Gas car (28 MPG) | $3.12/gal | 28 MPG | 11.14¢ | $1337 |
EV assumes 3.8 mi/kWh (Tesla Model 3 / Equinox EV efficiency range), 12,000 miles/year, 100% home charging. Electricity rate: EIA 2025 residential average for South Dakota. Gas price: AAA 2024 state average.
Annual Fuel Cost in South Dakota: EV vs Gas
EV Cost Per Mile in South Dakota: What the Numbers Mean
South Dakota's residential electricity rate of 12.8¢/kWh translates to 3.37¢ per mile for home charging, assuming 3.8 miles per kWh. That puts South Dakota near the national average — a solid state for EV ownership from a fuel cost standpoint.
At $3.12/gallon (#{@state[:name]} average), a 28 MPG gas car costs 11.14¢ per mile. The per-mile gap between EV and gas is 7.77¢ — 70% cheaper for the EV. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $933 saved.
Most South Dakota utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rates for overnight EV charging that can reduce the home rate by 2–5¢/kWh. If you charge overnight, ask your utility — even small rate reductions compound over 12,000+ miles per year.
South Dakota vs National Average: Cost Per Mile
| Location | Electricity Rate | EV ¢/mile | Gas ¢/mile | EV Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 12.8¢/kWh | 3.37¢ | 11.14¢ | 70% less |
| National Average | 16.1¢/kWh | 4.24¢ | 11.43¢ | 63% less |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EV cost per mile in South Dakota?
At South Dakota's residential electricity rate of 12.8¢/kWh, a typical EV (3.8 miles per kWh) costs 3.37¢ per mile to charge at home. Driving 12,000 miles per year costs $404 in fuel.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for EV cost per mile?
The national average EV home charging cost is 4.24¢/mile (at 16.1¢/kWh). South Dakota's rate of 12.8¢/kWh puts its EV cost at 3.37¢/mile — 0.87¢ below the national average. South Dakota drivers pay less for EV fuel than most of the country.
How much does an EV save per mile vs gas in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, a 28 MPG gas car at $3.12/gallon costs 11.14¢/mile. An EV costs 3.37¢/mile at home. The per-mile savings is 7.77¢ — 70% less per mile. Over 12,000 miles per year, that's $933 saved annually in fuel.
Does cost per mile include maintenance?
These figures cover fuel only. Adding maintenance, the EV advantage grows further. Gas cars average $1,200–$1,500/year in maintenance (oil changes, transmission, spark plugs). EVs average $400–$900/year. At 12,000 miles/year, total running costs in South Dakota: gas car approximately 21.1–23.1¢/mile all-in vs 7.4–10.4¢/mile for an EV.
EV Cost Per Mile in Other States
Data Sources
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). Last updated: March 2026.