How much does it cost to charge an electric car in California?
Power is expensive in California: 31.5¢ per kWh is 97% above the national average, so time-of-use rates and overnight charging matter more here than almost anywhere. Gas is pricey too — around $4.69 a gallon, 34% above the $3.50 reference price — which pushes the savings back up.
At California's average rate, adding 100 miles to a Model 3 costs about $7.88 at home, and a full 60 kWh charge costs about $18.90. Over a year of 13,500 miles with 85% home charging, the EV charging cost in California comes to about $1,131 — roughly $94 a month. The U.S. average for the same car is $687.
EV charging cost in California: home vs station
Home charging at $0.315 per kWh works out to 7.9¢ a mile in a Model 3. Public DC fast charging, often around $0.45 per kWh, is 11.3¢ a mile. If you could only fast charge, the yearly bill would be about $1,519, still $460 less than gas. Ask your utility about EV or time-of-use plans; overnight rates are frequently well below the average shown here.
EV vs gas cost per mile in California
| Vehicle | Per mile | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 8.4¢ | $1,131 | $5,657 |
| Tesla Model Y | 9.4¢ | $1,267 | $6,336 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 10.1¢ | $1,358 | $6,789 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 16.1¢ | $2,172 | $10,862 |
| Honda Civic | 13.4¢ | $1,809 | $9,045 |
| Toyota Camry | 14.7¢ | $1,979 | $9,893 |
| Honda CR-V | 16.8¢ | $2,261 | $11,306 |
| Ford F-150 | 23.5¢ | $3,166 | $15,829 |
EV rows use the blended 85% home / 15% fast-charging price of $0.335 per kWh. Fuel only — maintenance and purchase price are in the calculator.
Is an electric car worth it in California?
California ranks #5 of 50 for EV fuel savings in our default comparison — one of the best states to switch. For the Model 3 to cost the same to fuel as a Camry, gas in California would have to drop to about $2.68 a gallon. Add lower upkeep — no oil changes and less brake wear — and the yearly gap typically grows by a few hundred dollars. Whether the switch pays off depends mostly on the price difference you pay up front; enter it in the payback field above.
Nearby in the ranking: Nevada ($974/yr), Idaho ($864/yr), Utah ($810/yr), Montana ($773/yr). Compare all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in California?
At about 31.5¢ per kWh, a Model 3 (25 kWh/100 mi) costs roughly 7.9¢ a mile at home and a Model Y (28 kWh/100 mi) about 8.8¢. A full 75 kWh charge is about $23.63 at home; Supercharger and other fast-charging prices are higher and vary by location and time.
Is it cheaper to drive electric than gas in California?
Yes. With mostly home charging, an efficient EV saves about $847 a year in fuel compared with a 32 MPG car at California's average prices.
What is the average electricity rate in California?
Our preset uses about 31.5¢ per kWh, a rounded residential average based on U.S. EIA state data. Your bill can differ by utility, season and plan — use the per-kWh total from your own bill for the best estimate.
How much is gas in California?
The preset uses about $4.69 per gallon of regular, a rounded statewide average. Pump prices change weekly, so type today's local price into the calculator.