EV Charging Cost in California
Updated August 2026 · average residential rates
Quick answer: California's average residential electricity rate is 31.8¢/kWh — 88% above the U.S. average, ranking #49 cheapest of 51. A Tesla Model Y costs about $26.50 to fully charge at home here (9.1¢ per mile), and home charging saves roughly $7.84/month versus a comparable gas car at 1,000 miles.
Full-charge cost by model in California
| Vehicle | Full charge (home) | Per mile | Per 1,000 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 (RWD) | $21.20 | 8.4¢ | $84.13 |
| Tesla Model Y (Long Range) | $26.50 | 9.1¢ | $90.60 |
| Tesla Model S | $35.33 | 9.5¢ | $95.50 |
| Tesla Cybertruck (AWD) | $43.46 | 14.1¢ | $141.33 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | $30.03 | 10.4¢ | $103.92 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | $25.44 | 10.7¢ | $107.07 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | $34.63 | 16.1¢ | $160.61 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $27.21 | 10.4¢ | $103.92 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | $27.21 | 8.8¢ | $88.33 |
| Kia EV6 | $27.21 | 9.8¢ | $98.15 |
| Kia EV9 | $35.33 | 12.6¢ | $126.19 |
| Nissan Ariya | $30.74 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Nissan Leaf | $21.20 | 10.4¢ | $103.92 |
| Rivian R1T | $47.70 | 14.7¢ | $147.22 |
| Rivian R1S | $47.70 | 15.4¢ | $153.62 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | $27.21 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| BMW i4 | $28.62 | 10.1¢ | $100.95 |
| Lucid Air | $39.57 | 8.8¢ | $88.33 |
| Honda Prologue | $30.03 | 11.0¢ | $110.42 |
| Toyota bZ4X | $25.09 | 10.7¢ | $107.07 |
| Tesla Model X | $35.33 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | $30.03 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Chevrolet Silverado EV | $60.07 | 14.7¢ | $147.22 |
| GMC Sierra EV | $60.07 | 14.7¢ | $147.22 |
| GMC Hummer EV | $72.43 | 22.1¢ | $220.83 |
| Cadillac Lyriq | $36.04 | 12.2¢ | $121.84 |
| Cadillac Optiq | $30.03 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | $22.97 | 9.8¢ | $98.15 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | $38.87 | 12.2¢ | $121.84 |
| Kia Niro EV | $22.61 | 10.1¢ | $100.95 |
| BMW iX | $37.10 | 12.2¢ | $121.84 |
| BMW i5 | $28.62 | 10.7¢ | $107.07 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQB | $23.67 | 11.4¢ | $113.98 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQE | $31.45 | 10.7¢ | $107.07 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS | $38.16 | 11.0¢ | $110.42 |
| Audi Q4 e-tron | $27.21 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Audi Q6 e-tron | $33.21 | 11.4¢ | $113.98 |
| Porsche Taycan | $31.45 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Porsche Macan Electric | $33.57 | 11.4¢ | $113.98 |
| Polestar 2 | $27.91 | 10.4¢ | $103.92 |
| Polestar 3 | $37.81 | 12.6¢ | $126.19 |
| Volvo EX40 | $27.91 | 11.0¢ | $110.42 |
| Volvo EX90 | $37.81 | 13.1¢ | $130.86 |
| Subaru Solterra | $25.09 | 11.0¢ | $110.42 |
| Lexus RZ | $25.09 | 11.4¢ | $113.98 |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz | $30.39 | 13.6¢ | $135.90 |
| MINI Countryman SE | $22.61 | 11.4¢ | $113.98 |
| Fiat 500e | $14.84 | 9.8¢ | $98.15 |
| Dodge Charger Daytona EV | $32.86 | 12.2¢ | $121.84 |
| Jeep Wagoneer S | $32.86 | 11.8¢ | $117.78 |
| Acura ZDX | $36.04 | 12.2¢ | $121.84 |
| Genesis GV60 | $27.21 | 10.7¢ | $107.07 |
| Lucid Gravity | $39.57 | 10.7¢ | $107.07 |
Run your own numbers
$26.50
Full charge at home (75 kWh, ~320 mi)
9.1¢
Per mile at home charging
$90.60
Per 1,000 miles / month
$32.25 (11.0¢/mi)
Public DC fast charging (~43¢/kWh)
9.8¢/mi
Comparable gas car (32 mpg @ $3.15/gal)
$7.84/mo saved
vs gas at 1,000 mi/month, home charging
Using California's average residential rate (31.8¢/kWh) · national average 16.9¢ · includes ~10% AC charging losses. Rates vary by utility and plan — your bill is the source of truth.