Electric vehicles can slash your driving “fuel” bill — but exactly how much you save depends on where you live, or rather where you charge. Here’s a state-by-state look at per-mile EV costs using the latest electricity rates and gas prices.
How Electricity Rates Shape EV Cost
Your EV’s operating cost comes down to two numbers: your local residential electricity rate and your vehicle’s efficiency. According to the latest (2023) data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Louisiana averaged 13.46 ¢/kWh, Washington 13.03 ¢/kWh, Vermont 23.20 ¢/kWh, California 31.77 ¢/kWh, and Hawaii led the nation with 42.44 ¢/kWh (April 2025). Pairing these rates with an average EV efficiency of 3 mi/kWh yields per-mile “fuel” costs ranging from just 4.49 ¢ in Louisiana to 14.15 ¢ in Hawaii.
Meanwhile, AAA reports the national average for regular gasoline at $3.155/gal (July 18, 2025), which translates to about 10.52 ¢/mile at 30 mpg.
|
State |
Rate (¢/kWh) |
EV Cost/mi (¢ at 3 mi/kWh) |
Gas Cost/mi (¢ at 30 mpg) |
|
Louisiana |
13.46 |
4.49 |
10.52 |
|
Washington |
13.03 |
4.34 |
10.52 |
|
Idaho |
11.89 |
3.96 |
10.52 |
|
Georgia |
14.84 |
4.95 |
10.52 |
|
Illinois |
18.32 |
6.11 |
10.52 |
|
Florida |
15.27 |
5.09 |
10.52 |
|
Vermont |
23.20 |
7.73 |
10.52 |
|
California |
31.77 |
10.59 |
10.52 |
|
Hawaii |
42.44 |
14.15 |
10.52 |
EV operating cost hinges on your local electricity rate and your car’s efficiency. With a representative 3 mi/kWh, charging in early 2025 cost roughly 4.49 ¢/mi in Louisiana (13.46 ¢/kWh), 4.34 ¢/mi in Washington (13.03 ¢/kWh), 7.73 ¢/mi in Vermont (23.20 ¢/kWh), 10.59 ¢/mi in California (31.77 ¢/kWh), and 14.15 ¢/mi in Hawaii (42.44 ¢/kWh) according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, at $3.16/gal for gas (≈ 10.5 ¢/mi at 30 mpg), fuel runs about 10.5 ¢/mi per AAA’s national average.
Beyond the Charger
California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project offers $2,000–4,500 rebates; Vermont provides up to $5,000 in state incentives plus utility rebates (e.g., Green Mountain Power’s $3,200 cap) but still charges 6% sales tax; Washington utilities’ off-peak TOU plans save about 20–30% on charging; and Entergy in Louisiana rebates $250–350 for home charger installs through its eTech Program.
Total Cost Comparison
- Check your rate on your electric bill.
- Know your EV’s efficiency (most average roughly 3 mi/kWh).
- Compute EV cost per mile: Rate ÷ Efficiency.
- Compare to gas: (Gas price ÷ Vehicle mpg).
In low-rate states, EV “fuel” runs 70–80% cheaper than gasoline. Even in California or Hawaii, incentives and off-peak plans keep EV costs on par, or slightly below, gas.
Verdict: Plug In and Pocket the Difference
Don’t settle for $0.10–$0.14 per mile at the pump when you could be paying as little as $0.03 per mile on electricity. Crunch your own numbers now at the DOE’s AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator —enter your ZIP, your EV’s efficiency and annual mileage, and watch your projected savings stack up. Whether you live where power is cheap or costly, this quick tool shows exactly how much you’ll pocket by making the switch.
Charge smarter, drive farther, and keep hundreds more dollars in your wallet each year.