EV Charging Costs in 2026: What Qmerit’s Installation Data Reveals
Last Reviewed: August 2026
- Cost Savings with Home Charging: Home EV charging costs $13 for a 72 kWh battery at $0.18/kWh, translating to about $0.05 per mile and annual costs around $694 for 13,489 miles.
- Public EV Charging Premiums: Level 2 public EV charging stations cost $18 for a 72 kWh battery at $0.25/kWh, while DC fast charging stations average $38.16 ($0.53/kWh), making annual costs $964-$2,043 for 13,489 miles.
- Long-Term Cost Benefits: EVs have lower maintenance costs versus gasoline vehicles ($8,280 over 5 years), and state & local incentives reduce total cost of EV ownership.
EVs can unlock considerable cost savings compared to gas-powered vehicles in refueling and maintenance. However, the cost of charging an EV can vary based on your charging strategy.
Let’s explore the difference between home charging and public charging costs below.
Calculating Home EV Charging Costs
According to Tom Bowen, President of Qmerit Solutions, “About 80% of EV charging is done at home today.” Incorporating your transportation cost into your monthly power bill is is proving to be an affordable alternative to paying for gasoline.
U.S. residential electricity rates average $0.18 cents per kilowatt-hour as of mid 2026, per EIA and other sources.
However, this rate can vary from $0.35 in California to as high as $0.46 in Hawaii or as low as $0.14 in the state of Washington.
How much does home EV charging cost?
Given an average electricity rate of $0.18/kWh, adding 100 kWh to an EV battery has an average cost of $18. With an average battery size of 72 kWh, a full charge costs $13 by recharging at home. We’ll compare this cost to public charging costs later in this article.
Charging Cost ($) = Electric Vehicle Battery Size (kWh) x Electricity Rate ($ per kWh)
Depending on the make and model of your EV, the cost per mile driven generally starts at $0.05 and decreases if you have a more effective model or live in a state with lower-than-average electricity rates.
Home EV Charging Costs by State
Source: U.S. EIA Monthly – April 2026 Update
Qmerit Tip: EV owners who take advantage of time-of-use rates by charging during off-peak hours are able to further reduce the cost of EV charging.
- On average, Americans drive 13,489 miles a year.
- For EV owners, this average translates into a cost around $694 with at-home charging.
Home EV Charging Installation Costs in the US
According to Qmerit 2026 installation data from Level 2 EV charger installations across the United States, most homeowners spend approximately $1,700 on a typical installation, plus local permit costs where required.
It’s possible to offset installation costs by taking advantage of EV charging rebates & incentives offered at the state & local levels, as numerous utilities across America offer home charging programs providing $250 to $1,000+.
Average EV Charger Installation Costs by State (2026)
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Is Public EV Charging Cheaper Than Gas?
Yes, public EV charging is cheaper than gasoline, but the savings can vary widely by charging type and location. Public Level 2 charging offers significant savings (around $1,190 per year), while DC fast charging is only slightly cheaper than gas (around $111 per year).
The public charging network in America is growing at a fast pace! As of mid 2026, there are over 81,000 EV charging stations with more than 253,000 EV charging ports. There are 3,010 Tesla Supercharger stations across the United States including more than 37,159 Supercharger ports.
Public EV Charging Station Fees
Public EV charging stations charge an average of $0.53/kWh for DC fast (per Paren) and $0.25–$0.40/kWh for Level 2.
Based on the national average of 13,489 miles driven yearly, relying exclusively on public Level 2 charging stations would cost $964. If an EV driver were to exclusively rely on DC fast charging, driving 13,489 miles a year would translate to approximately $2,043.
Note that pricing can vary based on location, charging network, and the type of charger used. Local energy prices and regulations are also important factors to consider.
Public EV charging is convenient when traveling, but the cost can be nearly three times higher compared to at-home charging. A full charge on a 72kW battery costs $18 for Level 2 charging and $38.16 for DC fast charging.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at-home or in-public?
At-home charging remains the most affordable way to charge an EV, with a price difference of at least $0.07 per kWh, and often significantly more, when compared to public Level 2 charging. It can be as little as one-third of the cost when compared to public DC fast charging.
However, fast charging can offer a more convenient experience. Since Level 2 charging requires anywhere from four to ten hours to fully charge a battery, it’s only a viable option for charging your vehicle whenever you can leave your EV parked for several hours at a time.
Qmerit’s Tom Bowen adds: “If you can’t afford to wait for your vehicle to charge, spending a few more cents to use a public DC fast charging station may be worth it. Public stations also expand your driving radius by giving you access to more locations where you can top off your battery and extend your travels before returning home.”
How much money can you save in one year by driving an EV?
Driving an EV can save the average driver approximately $1,460 per year in fuel costs. For someone traveling 13,500 miles annually, electricity costs roughly $700 compared to $2,154 for gasoline. Total savings often exceed this when including lower routine maintenance costs.
In practical terms, switching to electric cuts fuel spending by roughly two‑thirds, making day‑to‑day driving significantly less expensive and more predictable from year to year.
Daily Driving Patterns
Your usage patterns and driving habits will determine how much you’re saving, how often you need to charge your EV, and whether public or home charging makes the most sense for your needs. You should consider how much you drive in a day, how far away from home you need to drive, and what kind of traffic you’re likely to encounter.
With the average American driving roughly 36 miles per day, prioritizing at-home charging makes sense for the majority of EV owners and it’s no surprise that 80% of EV drivers prefer the convenience of at-home EV charging.
However, leveraging the public charging infrastructure can add to your range, allowing you to take trips that last several days and give you access to fast charging if you’re in a hurry.
Total Cost of Ownership
According to AAA’s 2025 Your Driving Costs study, maintenance, repairs, and tires for a new gasoline vehicle average approximately $8,280 over a five-year, 75,000-mile ownership period.
Since EVs have fewer moving parts than internal combustion vehicles, maintenance and repair costs are typically lower.
Recent analyses estimate that EVs require roughly 30% to 50% less routine maintenance than comparable gas vehicles, thanks to the absence of oil changes, transmission service, and many engine-related repairs. Most EV owners primarily pay for tire rotations, cabin air filters, windshield wipers, and occasional brake service.
It’s worth noting that your charging habits can make maintenance costs fluctuate. For instance, living in a warm climate or relying on DC fast charging can accelerate battery degradation and cause a battery capacity loss of 3 to 9% over 50,000 miles driven. Replacing a battery is a major expense, which is why prioritizing Level 2 charging can contribute to a lower cost of ownership for EVs.
The total cost of ownership can also vary based on federal and local programs designed to support EV adoption. For instance, many states, utilities, and municipalities offer various charging rebates & incentives to make EV ownership and charging more affordable.
Qmerit Tip: Ensure your home’s electrical capacity is ready for a Level 2 charger before you bring home an EV and read this 5-point checklist
Explore EV Charging Options With Qmerit
The cost of EV ownership can vary, but there are significant cost savings compared to owning a gas-powered vehicle. EV owners who rely on at-home charging tend to save even more since electricity rates can be as much as three times cheaper compared to public charging stations.
If you’re looking into EV ownership, you can calculate the cost of charging your vehicle with this formula:
Charging Cost ($) = Electric Vehicle Battery Size (kWh) x Electricity Rate ($ per kWh)
As the largest network of certified EV charger installers in North America, Qmerit is the most trusted EV charger installation partner recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.
But don’t just take our word for it. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, Qmerit’s experienced network of certified electricians has installed more than 770,000 EV charging stations in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada!
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