Reviewed by David Chen, PE — Renewable Energy Specialist & EV Infrastructure Consultant
Estimate your electric vehicle charging expenses accurately. Use our electric vehicle charging cost calculator to determine the total cost of filling up your battery based on capacity, current charge levels, and local utility rates.
Electric Vehicle Charging Cost Calculator
Electric Vehicle Charging Cost Formula:
Total Cost = [(Capacity × (Target% – Current%) / 100) / (Efficiency / 100)] × Price
Formula source: U.S. Department of Energy
Variables:
- Battery Capacity (kWh): The total energy storage size of your EV battery (e.g., 60kWh, 100kWh).
- Current Charge Level (%): The current state of charge (SoC) when you start.
- Target Charge Level (%): The desired SoC (usually 80% or 100%).
- Electricity Price: The rate your utility provider charges per kilowatt-hour.
- Charging Efficiency: Energy lost as heat during the conversion process (AC to DC).
Related Calculators:
What is the Electric Vehicle Charging Cost Calculator?
An electric vehicle charging cost calculator is an essential tool for EV owners to manage their fuel budget. Unlike gas vehicles where the price is displayed on a pump, EV costs depend on battery size, charging speed losses, and varying electricity tariffs.
This tool helps you translate technical specs like kilowatt-hours (kWh) into real-world currency, allowing you to compare home charging costs against public DC fast-charging networks.
How to Calculate EV Charging Cost (Example):
- Identify Battery Size: Let’s say you have a Tesla Model 3 with a 75 kWh battery.
- Determine Charge Gap: You are at 20% and want to reach 80%. Gap = 60%.
- Calculate Net Energy: 75 kWh × 0.60 = 45 kWh needed.
- Account for Loss: At 90% efficiency, you need 45 / 0.9 = 50 kWh from the grid.
- Multiply by Rate: If electricity is $0.15/kWh, then 50 × 0.15 = $7.50.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at night?
Yes, many utility companies offer “Time-of-Use” (TOU) rates where electricity is significantly cheaper during off-peak hours (usually overnight).
Why isn’t charging 100% efficient?
Some energy is lost as heat in the charging cable, the onboard charger, and while cooling the battery during the process.
How much does it cost to charge at a public station?
Public chargers often cost 2x to 4x more than home charging, typically ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh.
Do I need to charge to 100% every time?
Most manufacturers recommend charging to 80% for daily use to prolong battery health, reserving 100% for long trips.