EV charging cost in California
What it costs to charge an electric car at home in California, by model, and how it compares with gasoline.
Charging a Tesla Model Y (27.5 kWh/100 mi, EPA) at home in California costs about $9.09 per 100 miles at the August 2026 average electricity price of 29.75¢/kWh, compared with $20.90 for a 27.5-MPG gas car (EIA prices).
- EV charging per year
- $1,091$9.09 per 100 mi
- Gas car fuel per year
- $2,508$20.90 per 100 mi
- EV saves per year
- $1,417
- EV electricity per year
- 3,667 kWh
Formula: EV cost per mile = (kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100) × electricity rate ÷ charging efficiency. Gas cost per mile = gas price ÷ MPG. Annual cost = cost per mile × miles per year.
Inputs used: EV: 27.5 kWh/100 mi (Tesla Model Y); rate: 29.75¢/kWh; charging efficiency: 90%; miles: 12,000/year; gas: $5.75/gal; gas car: 27.5 MPG.
These are estimates, not financial advice.
Home charging only. Public fast charging is usually priced higher per kWh than home electricity.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Aug 2026). About our data
Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, California average, week of 2026-11-02. EV efficiency: fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA).
Home charging cost by model in California
At 29.75¢/kWh with 90% charging efficiency. Monthly cost assumes 1,000 miles; annual cost 12,000 miles.
| Model (EPA year) | kWh/100 mi | Per 100 mi | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Air (2026) | 23.1 | $7.64 | $76.36 | $916.30 |
| Tesla Model 3 (2026) | 24.3 | $8.03 | $80.32 | $963.90 |
| Toyota bZ (2026) | 25.8 | $8.53 | $85.28 | $1,023 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2025) | 26.0 | $8.59 | $85.94 | $1,031 |
| Tesla Model S (2026) | 27.1 | $8.96 | $89.58 | $1,075 |
| Tesla Model Y (2026) | 27.5 | $9.09 | $90.90 | $1,091 |
| Subaru Solterra (2026) | 28.0 | $9.26 | $92.56 | $1,111 |
| BMW i4 (2026) | 28.5 | $9.42 | $94.21 | $1,130 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric (2025) | 29.1 | $9.62 | $96.19 | $1,154 |
| Volvo EX30 (2026) | 29.2 | $9.65 | $96.52 | $1,158 |
| Audi Q4 e-tron (2026) | 29.4 | $9.72 | $97.18 | $1,166 |
| Kia EV6 (2026) | 29.6 | $9.78 | $97.84 | $1,174 |
| Polestar 2 (2025) | 29.6 | $9.78 | $97.84 | $1,174 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 (2026) | 29.8 | $9.85 | $98.51 | $1,182 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2026) | 30.0 | $9.92 | $99.17 | $1,190 |
| Kia Niro EV (2026) | 30.0 | $9.92 | $99.17 | $1,190 |
| Nissan Leaf (2026) | 30.0 | $9.92 | $99.17 | $1,190 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV (2026) | 31.1 | $10.28 | $102.80 | $1,234 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E (2026) | 31.4 | $10.38 | $103.79 | $1,246 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQB (2025) | 31.5 | $10.41 | $104.12 | $1,249 |
| Volvo EX40 (2026) | 31.7 | $10.48 | $104.79 | $1,257 |
| Tesla Model X (2026) | 32.2 | $10.64 | $106.44 | $1,277 |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV (2026) | 32.3 | $10.68 | $106.77 | $1,281 |
| Honda Prologue (2026) | 32.6 | $10.74 | $107.43 | $1,289 |
| Nissan Ariya (2026) | 33.3 | $11.01 | $110.07 | $1,321 |
| BMW iX (2026) | 36.0 | $11.90 | $119.00 | $1,428 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV (2026) | 36.1 | $11.93 | $119.33 | $1,432 |
| Cadillac Lyriq (2026) | 36.8 | $12.16 | $121.64 | $1,460 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 (2026) | 37.0 | $12.23 | $122.31 | $1,468 |
| Kia EV9 (2026) | 38.0 | $12.56 | $125.61 | $1,507 |
| Rivian R1S (2026) | 42.9 | $14.18 | $141.81 | $1,702 |
| Rivian R1T (2026) | 42.9 | $14.18 | $141.81 | $1,702 |
| Tesla Cybertruck (2026) | 43.0 | $14.21 | $142.14 | $1,706 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (2025) | 49.4 | $16.33 | $163.29 | $1,960 |
| Chevrolet Silverado EV (2026) | 50.3 | $16.63 | $166.27 | $1,995 |
Efficiency: EPA combined ratings via fueleconomy.gov (Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:47:00 GMT). Electricity: EIA, Aug 2026.
Charging cost over the last 12 months
Show data table
| Month | Tesla Model Y, California |
|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | $9.09 |
| Jul 2026 | $10.27 |
| Jun 2026 | $10.62 |
| May 2026 | $10.16 |
| Apr 2026 | $10.78 |
| Mar 2026 | $10.17 |
| Feb 2026 | $10.15 |
| Jan 2026 | $9.26 |
| Dec 2025 | $9.15 |
| Nov 2025 | $9.79 |
| Oct 2025 | $10.27 |
| Sep 2025 | $9.74 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Aug 2026). About our data
States with similar charging costs
- Alaska: $8.99 per 100 miles (Tesla Model Y)
- Massachusetts: $9.31 per 100 miles (Tesla Model Y)
- New York: $8.75 per 100 miles (Tesla Model Y)
How we calculate
EV cost per mile = (kWh per 100 mi ÷ 100) × electricity price ÷ charging efficiency; gas cost per mile = gas price ÷ MPG.
California electricity: EIA average residential price, August 2026. Gasoline: California average (EIA weekly series). See the methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in California?
At California’s August 2026 average residential price of 29.75¢/kWh, home charging costs from $7.64 (Lucid Air) to $16.63 (Chevrolet Silverado EV) per 100 miles, including 90% charging efficiency.
Is an EV cheaper to run than a gas car in California?
For 12,000 miles a year, a Tesla Model Y costs about $1,091 to charge at home versus $2,508 in fuel for a 27.5-MPG car at $5.75/gal (California average, week of 2026-11-02). That saves about $1,417 a year.
How does California compare with other states?
California has the 4th highest residential electricity price of 51, so home charging costs +63.8% versus the U.S. average.
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