How much does it cost to charge an electric car in South Carolina?
At 14.7¢ per kWh, South Carolina electricity is 8% below the national average of 16¢. 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 South Carolina's average rate, adding 100 miles to a Model 3 costs about $3.68 at home, and a full 60 kWh charge costs about $8.82. Over a year of 13,500 miles with 85% home charging, the EV charging cost in South Carolina comes to about $650 — roughly $54 a month. The U.S. average for the same car is $687.
EV charging cost in South Carolina: home vs station
Home charging at $0.147 per kWh works out to 3.7¢ 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 South Carolina
| Vehicle | Per mile | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 4.8¢ | $650 | $3,248 |
| Tesla Model Y | 5.4¢ | $727 | $3,637 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 5.8¢ | $779 | $3,897 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 9.2¢ | $1,247 | $6,235 |
| 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 $0.192 per kWh. Fuel only — maintenance and purchase price are in the calculator.
Is an electric car worth it in South Carolina?
South Carolina ranks #32 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 South Carolina would have to drop to about $1.54 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: Minnesota ($583/yr), Arkansas ($579/yr), Maryland ($568/yr), Delaware ($565/yr). Compare all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in South Carolina?
At about 14.7¢ per kWh, a Model 3 (25 kWh/100 mi) costs roughly 3.7¢ a mile at home and a Model Y (28 kWh/100 mi) about 4.1¢. A full 75 kWh charge is about $11.02 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 South Carolina?
Yes. With mostly home charging, an efficient EV saves about $570 a year in fuel compared with a 32 MPG car at South Carolina's average prices.
What is the average electricity rate in South Carolina?
Our preset uses about 14.7¢ 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 South Carolina?
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.