Where do I find my EV's kWh per 100 miles figure?

The EPA energy consumption rating is printed on the Monroney sticker (window label) of new vehicles and listed on fueleconomy.gov. Your car's onboard trip computer also shows real-time kWh/100 mi after a few miles of driving. Typical values range from 22 kWh/100 mi (very efficient) to 45+ kWh/100 mi (large SUVs and trucks).

What is a typical residential electricity rate?

The US average is roughly 16–18 cents per kWh, but rates vary widely — Hawaii exceeds 40 cents/kWh while states like Louisiana and Oklahoma can be under 10 cents/kWh. Check your most recent utility bill for your actual rate. Time-of-use (TOU) night rates for EV charging are often 10–30% lower than the daytime rate.

How accurate is the cost per mile estimate?

The calculation is a direct arithmetic result of the numbers you enter: (kWh/100 mi ÷ 100) × (rate in cents/kWh). Accuracy depends on how well your entered efficiency matches real-world driving. Cold weather, highway speeds, and heavy use of climate control can increase energy consumption by 20–40% compared to the EPA rating.

Why is EV cost per mile cheaper than gasoline?

Electricity is a more energy-dense and efficiently converted fuel than gasoline for vehicle propulsion. An EV electric motor converts about 85–90% of energy to motion, versus roughly 20–40% for a combustion engine. Even at moderate electricity rates, EVs typically cost 2–4 times less per mile than comparable gasoline vehicles.

Does charging at a public DC fast charger cost more?

Yes, significantly. Public fast chargers from networks like Electrify America or ChargePoint typically charge 30–50 cents/kWh or more — roughly 2–3× typical home rates. Frequent use of paid public charging can eliminate much of the cost advantage over gasoline. This calculator lets you enter any rate, so you can compare home vs. public charging costs directly.

How is annual savings calculated?

Annual savings = (gas cost per mile − EV cost per mile) × annual miles driven. A positive value means the EV is cheaper to run; a negative value means the gas car is cheaper at those specific input values (rare, but possible if electricity is very expensive and gas is cheap).

EV Cost Per Mile Calculator

Name: EV Cost Per Mile Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your EV efficiency (kWh/100 mi or kWh/100 km) and local electricity rate to instantly calculate your cost per mile or kilometer.

EV Inputs

Distance Unit

Energy Consumption (kWh / 100 mi)

Typical range: 22–45 kWh/100 mi. Find on your window sticker or fueleconomy.gov.

Electricity Rate (cents / kWh)

US average ~16–18 ¢/kWh. Check your utility bill for your rate.

Annual Distance (miles / year)

Compare with a gas vehicle

Enter your EV details and click Calculate Cost.

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Summary

Enter your EV efficiency (kWh/100 mi or kWh/100 km) and local electricity rate to instantly calculate your cost per mile or kilometer.

How it works

Select your preferred unit system: miles (kWh/100 mi) or kilometers (kWh/100 km).
Enter your EV's energy consumption — find this on the manufacturer spec sheet or your onboard trip computer.
Enter your local electricity rate in cents per kWh (check your utility bill).
Optionally enter your gas car's MPG and local gas price to compare running costs.
Click Calculate — results show cost per mile/km, cost per 100 miles/km, and annual savings vs. gas.

Use cases

Compare the monthly fuel cost of your EV against a gasoline car.
Estimate annual electricity spending for commuting.
Evaluate whether home charging vs. public DC fast charging is cost-effective.
Calculate real-world running costs before purchasing an electric vehicle.
Determine break-even mileage when deciding between an EV and a hybrid.
Understand how electricity rate increases affect your total EV ownership cost.
Compare EV running costs across different states or countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu