EV vs Gas Cost Per Mile in California
At California's average prices, a Tesla Model 3 RWD costs an estimated $0.084 a mile to charge at home and a 30 mpg gas car $0.157 a mile in fuel: $871.70 a year apart over 12,000 miles. Home charging in California costs a little over half as much per mile as gasoline: 54%.
State data
What California pays
- Home electricity
- 33.6¢/kWhEIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A · EIA, July 2026 (data as of 2026-09-28)
- Gasoline
- $4.70/galEIA weekly regional / AAA state averages, 2025–26 reference
- EV used for the page
- Tesla Model 3 RWD, 25 kWh/100 miEPA, fueleconomy.gov (combined)
Home electricity in California is 33.6¢/kWh, 84% above the US average of 18.3¢/kWh, so a Model 3 RWD costs $0.084 a mile to charge here. California has the highest gasoline price of the 51 on this site: $4.70 a gallon.
Statewide averages. Put your own rate and pump price in the calculator above.
EV vs gas cost per mile
F01Scenario A
Sets the electricity rate. Pick US average if you're not sure.
From EIA for California. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.
Rate used: 33.6¢/kWh · California · EIA, July 2026 · gasoline $4.70/gal (2025–26 ref.) (data as of 2026-09-28) ·
Estimated savings per year (12,000 miles)
EV $0.084 a mile vs gas $0.157 a mile, home charging.
- EV cost per mile (EPA kWh/100 mi, at the wall)
- $0.084
- Gas cost per mile
- $0.157
- EV, 12,000 miles a year
- $1,008.30
- Gas car, 12,000 miles a year
- $1,880.00
- Savings per year
- $871.70
- Prices used
- electricity 33.6¢/kWh · gasoline $4.70/gal (California)
Estimate. Formula and sources are under “How it works”. Change any input; the result updates as you type.
Worked example
Worked example: Model 3 RWD vs a 30 mpg car in California
At 33.6¢/kWh, a Model 3 RWD (25 kWh per 100 miles, EPA) draws 25 kWh from the wall for every 100 miles (the EPA measures it at the wall), so each mile costs $0.084. A 30 mpg car at $4.70/gal spends $0.157 a mile. Over 12,000 miles: $1,008.30 for the EV, $1,880.00 for gasoline, a difference of $871.70 a year (fuel only). The EV would lose its per-mile edge above 62.7¢/kWh, or against a gas car rated above 56 mpg.
Questions
FAQ
Is charging an EV cheaper than gas in California?
At California's average prices, yes for the page's example: $0.084 a mile for a Model 3 RWD at home against $0.157 for a 30 mpg car, $871.70 a year over 12,000 miles. The EV would lose its fuel-cost edge only above about 62.7¢/kWh, or against a gas car rated above 56 mpg. Both prices are editable above.
What about public fast charging in California?
Fast chargers usually charge more per kWh than a home rate. This page uses California's home average, 33.6¢/kWh. To see the cost per mile on the road, type the charger's price per kWh into the electricity rate field; the gas side stays at $4.70/gal.
How do time-of-use rates change this in California?
The EV's cost per mile moves in direct proportion to the rate you charge at. If an overnight rate were half of 33.6¢/kWh (16.8¢/kWh), the Model 3 RWD would cost $0.042 a mile instead of $0.084. Check your utility's tariff for the real overnight rate and type it in.
Bordering states
Nearby states
Same two cars, each state's own prices:
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