US: EV charging vs petrol running costs
Real fuel and electricity prices, compared per 100 miles driven — compiled August 2026.
| Vehicle type | Cost per 100 miles |
|---|---|
| Gasoline car | $16.32 |
| Electric car | $4.95 |
Charging an EV at home costs about $11.37 less per 100 miles than driving a gasoline car — roughly 70% cheaper, at today’s prices.
Petrol/gas: Gasoline at $4.08/gallon, typical car economy 25 US mpg. Source: AAA national average, 5 Aug 2026; typical on-road fleet economy (new cars average higher). Electricity: 30.0 kWh per 100 miles (typical modern EV, DOE/EPA-based estimate) at $0.165/kWh — EIA’s directly-published 2024 average US residential price (16.5c/kWh).
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See US providers →Fuel and electricity prices are live snapshots and change constantly — treat this as a real, dated comparison rather than a permanent figure. EV efficiency (30 kWh/100 miles) is a typical modern-EV estimate, not a single model’s rating — actual results vary by vehicle, driving style and climate. This is not financial or purchasing advice.