Home EV Charging Cost by State: What It Costs in 2026

Cheapest and most expensive states

The gap between states is large. It comes almost entirely from the price per kWh.

Lowest example costs:

• Louisiana: 12.72¢ per kWh, about $445 per year
• Nevada: 12.77¢ per kWh, about $447 per year
• Utah: 13.12¢ per kWh, about $459 per year
• North Dakota: 13.41¢ per kWh, about $469 per year

Highest example costs:

• Hawaii: 48¢ per kWh, about $1680 per year
• California: 33.61¢ per kWh, about $1176 per year
• Maine: 32.41¢ per kWh, about $1134 per year
• Massachusetts: 30.49¢ per kWh, about $1067 per year

The Northeast, California, Alaska and Hawaii sit near the top. Many states in the South, the Mountain West and the Plains sit near the bottom.

Prices also move. Hawaii's average was 39.36¢ a year earlier, a change of 22%. Maine went from 27.98¢ to 32.41¢. A few states fell, such as Connecticut, which went from 27.6¢ to 24.16¢. So the same driving can cost more or less from one year to the next.

What can change your real cost

The table is a starting point. Several things can push your cost up or down:

• Your rate plan. The AFDC notes that "Some utilities offer residential time-of-use rates or other rate incentives for charging infrastructure owners." A time-of-use rate charges different prices at different hours. If your utility has one, charging at off-peak hours may cost less than the state average. Check with your utility.
• How much you drive. If you charge less than 3500 kWh a year, your cost will be lower. If you charge more, it will be higher.
• Public charging. The AFDC says "Most EV owners do the majority of their charging at home". Charging away from home is priced differently and is not included here.
• Your equipment. Many drivers use the basic Level 1 cord that comes with the car. The AFDC says many owners can meet daily needs this way, "requiring no additional cost or installation, provided that a power outlet on a dedicated branch circuit is available near their parking location." A faster Level 2 charger may need an electrician, and local permits may be required.
• Fixed fees. Monthly customer charges are on your bill no matter how much you charge, so charging an EV does not raise them. Because the EIA average spreads those charges over every kWh, the per-kWh rate on your own bill is the better guide to the extra cost.

To get a better number, look at your own bill. Find your price per kWh (or your time-of-use prices) and multiply it by the kWh you expect to charge.

Can rooftop solar lower EV charging costs?

It can, but it depends on your home and your utility. Solar panels make power while the sun is up, while many people charge their cars overnight. How much a solar system helps then depends on how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Our guide on net metering vs. net billing explains the difference.

Also note that the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is not available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Net metering and solar incentive programs vary by state and utility. The DSIRE database lists current programs.

If you add an EV, your yearly use goes up, which can change how big a system makes sense. You can test your own numbers in our solar calculator or read how many solar panels you need. For state details, see our solar panels by state pages.

Bottom line

Charging an EV at home is cheapest where electricity is cheapest. In our example of 3500 kWh a year at July 2026 average prices, that is about $445 in Louisiana and about $1680 in Hawaii, with most states in between. Your real cost depends on your utility, your rate plan and your driving. Check your bill's price per kWh, ask your utility about time-of-use rates, and use our electricity prices pages to compare.