How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Iowa?
Iowa has some of the cheaper home electricity in the country — 13% below the national average — which is the single biggest reason EVs are cheap to run here. Gas is relatively cheap at about $2.89 a gallon (17% below the $3.50 reference), so a thrifty gas car stays more competitive.
At Iowa's average rate, adding 100 miles to a Model 3 costs about $3.48 at home, and a full 60 kWh charge costs about $8.34. Over a year of 13,500 miles with 85% home charging, the EV charging cost in Iowa comes to about $627 — roughly $52 a month. The U.S. average for the same car is $687.
EV charging cost in Iowa: home vs station
Home charging at $0.139 per kWh works out to 3.5¢ 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, which is $300 more 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 Iowa
| Vehicle | Per mile | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 4.6¢ | $627 | $3,133 |
| Tesla Model Y | 5.2¢ | $702 | $3,509 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 5.6¢ | $752 | $3,759 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 8.9¢ | $1,203 | $6,015 |
| Honda Civic | 8.3¢ | $1,115 | $5,574 |
| Toyota Camry | 9.0¢ | $1,219 | $6,096 |
| Honda CR-V | 10.3¢ | $1,393 | $6,967 |
| Ford F-150 | 14.4¢ | $1,951 | $9,754 |
EV rows use the blended 85% home / 15% fast-charging price of $0.186 per kWh. Fuel only — maintenance and purchase price are in the calculator.
Is an electric car worth it in Iowa?
Iowa ranks #27 of 50 for EV fuel savings — middle of the pack. For the Model 3 to cost the same to fuel as a Camry, gas in Iowa would have to drop to about $1.49 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: Georgia ($598/yr), Louisiana ($593/yr), Ohio ($588/yr), Missouri ($584/yr). Compare all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in Iowa?
At about 13.9¢ per kWh, a Model 3 (25 kWh/100 mi) costs roughly 3.5¢ a mile at home and a Model Y (28 kWh/100 mi) about 3.9¢. A full 75 kWh charge is about $10.43 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 Iowa?
Yes. With mostly home charging, an efficient EV saves about $593 a year in fuel compared with a 32 MPG car at Iowa's average prices.
What is the average electricity rate in Iowa?
Our preset uses about 13.9¢ 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 Iowa?
The preset uses about $2.89 per gallon of regular, a rounded statewide average. Pump prices change weekly, so type today's local price into the calculator.