How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Washington?
Washington has some of the cheaper home electricity in the country — 21% below the national average — which is the single biggest reason EVs are cheap to run here. Gas is pricey too — around $4.29 a gallon, 23% above the $3.50 reference price — which pushes the savings back up.
At Washington's average rate, adding 100 miles to a Model 3 costs about $3.15 at home, and a full 60 kWh charge costs about $7.56. Over a year of 13,500 miles with 85% home charging, the EV charging cost in Washington comes to about $589 — roughly $49 a month. The U.S. average for the same car is $687.
EV charging cost in Washington: home vs station
Home charging at $0.126 per kWh works out to 3.1¢ 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 $291 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 Washington
| Vehicle | Per mile | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 4.4¢ | $589 | $2,946 |
| Tesla Model Y | 4.9¢ | $660 | $3,300 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 5.2¢ | $707 | $3,536 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 8.4¢ | $1,131 | $5,657 |
| Honda Civic | 12.3¢ | $1,655 | $8,274 |
| Toyota Camry | 13.4¢ | $1,810 | $9,049 |
| Honda CR-V | 15.3¢ | $2,068 | $10,342 |
| Ford F-150 | 21.4¢ | $2,896 | $14,479 |
EV rows use the blended 85% home / 15% fast-charging price of $0.175 per kWh. Fuel only — maintenance and purchase price are in the calculator.
Is an electric car worth it in Washington?
Washington ranks #1 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 Washington would have to drop to about $1.40 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: Oregon ($1,040/yr), Nevada ($974/yr). Compare all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in Washington?
At about 12.6¢ per kWh, a Model 3 (25 kWh/100 mi) costs roughly 3.1¢ a mile at home and a Model Y (28 kWh/100 mi) about 3.5¢. A full 75 kWh charge is about $9.45 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 Washington?
Yes. With mostly home charging, an efficient EV saves about $1,221 a year in fuel compared with a 32 MPG car at Washington's average prices.
What is the average electricity rate in Washington?
Our preset uses about 12.6¢ 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 Washington?
The preset uses about $4.29 per gallon of regular, a rounded statewide average. Pump prices change weekly, so type today's local price into the calculator.