EV Charging Costs in California
At 27.57¢/kWh, California is 71% above the national average (16.11¢/kWh). Ranked #50 cheapest out of 51.
Data: EIA residential electricity rates · EPA vehicle efficiency · March 2026
Calculate Your Costs in California
These links open our calculators with California's electricity rate pre-selected — customize with your actual vehicle and driving habits.
Similar States by Electricity Rate
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (you) | 27.57¢ | $72.37 | #50 |
| Massachusetts | 25.51¢ | $66.96 | #47 |
| Connecticut | 25.64¢ | $67.31 | #48 |
| Rhode Island | 27.36¢ | $71.82 | #49 |
| Hawaii | 38.57¢ | $101.25 | #51 |
EV Charging in California: What You Need to Know
California's residential electricity rate of 27.57¢/kWh is 71% above the national average. For a typical EV owner driving 35 miles per day, this translates to about $72.37 per month in charging costs — or $868.46 annually. Compared to fueling a 28 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon, you save $707 per year.
At $0.069 per mile for electricity versus $0.125 per mile for gas, driving electric in California costs 45% less per mile. Over 5 years of typical driving (12,775 miles/year), that adds up to $3,533 in fuel savings alone — before accounting for reduced maintenance costs.
A full charge on a Tesla Model 3 (60 kWh battery, 272 miles of range) costs $16.54 in California. Most daily charging sessions only use 20-40% of the battery, so a typical overnight charge costs $4.96 to $6.62.
Frequently Asked Questions
At California's average residential rate of 27.57¢/kWh, charging a Tesla Model 3 (60 kWh battery) from empty costs $16.54. For a typical driver covering 35 miles/day, monthly charging costs are about $72.37.