EV charging cost in California
EV vs gas cost in California
Regular gas is $6.15 a gallon (state average, week of 2026-10-19) and home electricity is 29.75¢/kWh (2026-08). A typical EV (31.5 kWh per 100 miles) saves about $1,333 a year against a 30 MPG car.
Gas is down 7.1¢ since last week. Prices for the week of October 19, 2026.
Fuel cost for 1,000 miles a month
| Car | Per mile | Per month | Per year | EV saves per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical EV, home charging | $0.094 | $94 | $1,125 | – |
| 25 MPG gas car | $0.246 | $246 | $2,950 | $1,825 |
| 30 MPG gas car | $0.205 | $205 | $2,458 | $1,333 |
| 35 MPG gas car | $0.176 | $176 | $2,107 | $982 |
Questions about EV vs gas in California
Is an EV cheaper to fuel in California?
Yes. At $6.15/gal a 30 MPG car costs $0.205 per mile in gas. A typical EV charged at home costs $0.094 per mile at 29.75¢/kWh. Over 12,000 miles that is $1,333 a year.
How much fuel does a typical driver use?
At 1,000 miles a month a 30 MPG car burns 33 gallons a month, 400 a year. A typical EV uses 315 kWh of electricity for the same miles.
Is gas in California expensive compared with other states?
California ranks #51 of 51, where 1 is the cheapest gas. Prices run from $3.81 in Texas to $6.15 in California. The higher the gas price, the sooner an EV's purchase premium pays back.