EV Charging Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost to charge an electric vehicle at home or at a public charger.
About the EV Charging Cost Calculator
Cost is the energy drawn from the grid times your price per kWh. Some energy is lost as heat in the charger and battery (about 10–15% on home AC charging, less on DC). Charging overnight on a time-of-use tariff can cut cost sharply; public rapid chargers usually cost several times home rates.
The formula
Cost = battery kWh × (to% − from%) ÷ (1 − losses) × price
Worked example
Example: Charging cost = $12.31
- Inputs: Usable battery capacity: 83 kWh; Charge from: 22%; Charge to: 88%; Electricity price per kWh: $0.2; Charging losses: 11%; Car efficiency (km per kWh): 7 km/kWh.
- Formula: Cost = battery kWh × (to% − from%) ÷ (1 − losses) × price
- Result: Charging cost = $12.31
Questions people ask
Why charge to 80%?
Many manufacturers recommend it for daily use to reduce battery wear; rapid charging also slows above 80%.
Do I pay per kWh or per minute?
Home and most public chargers bill per kWh; some bill by time.