For a typical driver covering 1,000 miles a month, home charging costs $30-60 per month in most of the US, £23-75 in the UK depending on tariff, and the local equivalent elsewhere. Two numbers decide where you land in that range: your electricity price per kWh and how many miles per kWh your car achieves. Here is the formula, then the worked tables.
The only formula you need
Example: 1,000 miles ÷ 3.5 mi/kWh × $0.17 = $49.
Everything else - battery size, charger speed - is a distraction from the monthly bill. A bigger battery does not cost more per mile; it just fills less often.
Monthly cost by market (1,000 miles/month, 3.5 mi/kWh)
| Market | Rate used | Monthly cost | With off-peak / EV tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| US average | $0.17/kWh | $49 | $26 at $0.09/kWh |
| US low-cost states (e.g. WA, ID, LA) | $0.11/kWh | $31 | - |
| US high-cost states (CA, HI, Northeast) | $0.28/kWh | $80 | $34-43 on EV off-peak plans |
| UK standard cap rate | 26p/kWh | £74 | £23 at 8p/kWh night rate |
| Canada average | C$0.14/kWh | C$40 | C$25 on ultra-low overnight plans |
| Australia average | A$0.30/kWh | A$86 | A$23-34 on EV/off-peak plans |
Rates are November 2026 residential averages; yours is printed on your bill as the per-kWh supply plus delivery charge. Efficiency of 3.5 mi/kWh is a realistic mixed-driving figure for a mid-size EV; efficient small cars reach 4-4.5, large trucks 2-2.5.
How your car changes the number
| Vehicle type | Efficiency | Monthly cost at $0.17/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Efficient sedan (e.g. Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6) | 4.0-4.3 mi/kWh | $40-43 |
| Mid-size crossover (e.g. VW ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E) | 3.2-3.5 mi/kWh | $49-53 |
| Large SUV / pickup (e.g. F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1S) | 2.0-2.5 mi/kWh | $68-86 |
Three things that quietly inflate the bill
- Charging losses. About 8-15% of the energy never reaches the battery. The tables above include it; if you calculate from the car's dashboard kWh, add 10%.
- Preconditioning in winter. Cold weather raises consumption 15-30% in northern states and Canada. Plugged-in preconditioning shifts that load to the house - still cheaper than driving on a cold battery.
- Charging at peak times. On a time-of-use plan, a 4-9 pm charge can cost triple the night rate. Every EV and smart charger can schedule around this - set it once.
What to read next
Sources: US EIA state residential rates, Ofgem price cap, provincial utility published rates, Australian regulator default offers - all November 2026. Real bills vary with season, driving style and tariff.