How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?

Multiply the battery size by the charge added and your electricity rate: a 75 kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% needs about 45 kWh, which at $0.15/kWh costs roughly $6.75 plus charging losses of 10–15%, bringing the wall cost near $7.60. The calculator applies the losses and your rate automatically for home and public charging.

How long does a full charge take?

It depends on the charger: Level 1 (120V) adds 3–5 miles per hour, Level 2 (240V) adds 25–40 miles per hour, and DC fast charging adds 100–200 miles in 30 minutes. The calculator converts your battery and charger power into a realistic charging time, showing why Level 2 at home is the practical daily choice.

What is the difference between home and public charging cost?

Home charging typically costs $0.10–$0.30 per kWh, while public DC fast chargers run $0.30–$0.60 or more, making home charging 2–4 times cheaper. The calculator compares both for the same charge, so you can see what a road trip at fast-charger rates really costs versus your overnight home rate.

How does charging loss affect cost?

Charging is not 100% efficient: 10–15% of the energy from the wall is lost as heat in the charger and battery, especially in cold weather and at high charge rates. The calculator adds this loss to the energy drawn, so the cost and time reflect the real wall-to-wheels numbers rather than the ideal battery math.

Can I compare an EV with a petrol car?

Yes — enter your petrol car's fuel efficiency and the local fuel price, and the tool converts both vehicles to a cost per 100 km or per mile for the same distance. The comparison shows the fuel saving in hard numbers, which is usually the deciding factor in the EV purchase decision.

Are these estimates accurate?

The calculator models the standard charging math — battery size, state of charge, efficiency loss, and rate — so results are accurate for the inputs you enter. Real-world figures vary with temperature, charging speed, and actual rates, so use current local prices and treat the result as a planning estimate rather than a quote.

calculate

EV Charging Cost and Time Calculator | Compare Charging Costs

Compare home and public EV charging — cost per charge from your battery size, rate, and charging losses, plus the time each charger type takes and the savings versus a petrol car. The numbers you need to budget electric driving accurately.

Last updated: August 2026 · Free · No sign-up required

EV charging cost calculator: estimate energy, charging time, and home or public session cost from battery and rate assumptions.

How this tool works

All results depend on user-entered assumptions. Use current local tariffs, system specifications, and professional estimates for decisions.

Worked example

Enter representative inputs, review the result, and adjust assumptions to compare scenarios.

Frequently asked questions

What does this calculator estimate?

It provides an assumption-based planning estimate using the inputs shown on the page.

Should I use regional defaults?

Use current local rates and provider quotes whenever possible; undated averages can mislead.

Are taxes and fixed charges included?

Only if you include them in the entered rates or costs. Utility tariffs and fees vary.

Can prices change?

Yes. Electricity, fuel, public charging, and equipment costs can change over time.

Is this a quote or engineering analysis?

No. It is an educational estimate and not a purchase quote, design, or professional advice.

What should I verify next?

Confirm assumptions, local rates, equipment specifications, incentives, and installer or utility requirements.

Quick reference

Charging Type	Typical Power	Time for 60 kWh	Typical Rate
Home (level 2)	7–11 kW	6–9 hours	$0.12–0.30/kWh
Public AC	7–22 kW	3–9 hours	$0.30–0.50/kWh
Rapid DC	50–150 kW	25–75 min	$0.40–0.80/kWh

bolt Home vs public

Compare both worlds.

timer Time to charge

Know how long it takes.

lightbulb Pro tip

Charge off-peak if you can.

lightbulb Worked example

A 75 kWh EV charged 20%–80% at home on $0.15/kWh.

Result: About $7.67 and 6.4 hours for a 60% home charge.

Formula & methodology

Formula: Charging Cost = (Battery Capacity ÷ Charging Efficiency) × Electricity Rate. Charging Time = Usable kWh ÷ Charging Power. Cost per mile = Charging Cost ÷ Typical Range.

How charging cost and time are calculated

The tool applies energy = battery size × (target% − start%) ÷ 100, then adds charging losses by dividing by (1 − loss): cost = wall energy × rate, and time = wall energy ÷ charger power. Charger power is 1.9–7.7 kW for Level 1/2 home charging and 50–350 kW for DC fast charging.

Example: a 75 kWh battery from 20% to 80% needs 45 kWh usable, about 51 kWh from the wall with 12% loss — $7.67 at $0.15/kWh, or 6.4 hours on an 8 kW Level 2 charger.

Reading the result: losses of 10–15% are real — the wall-to-wheels energy always exceeds the battery math. Comparing home versus public rates shows why overnight home charging is the economical daily choice, while fast charging is for road trips.

Authoritative source: https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/charging-electric-vehicles-home

Explore the full everyday toolkit

Every CalcaTools everyday calculator — dates, time, age, measurements, home projects, and lifestyle tools — ready when you need a quick answer.