EV vs Gas Cost Per Mile in Rhode Island
At Rhode Island's average prices, a Tesla Model 3 RWD costs an estimated $0.071 a mile to charge at home and a 30 mpg gas car $0.107 a mile in fuel: $431.30 a year apart over 12,000 miles. Rhode Island is in the narrowest EV fuel-cost band on this site (over 65%): the EV spends about 66% of the gas car's cost per mile.
State data
What Rhode Island pays
- Home electricity
- 28.3¢/kWhEIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A · EIA, July 2026 (data as of 2026-09-28)
- Gasoline
- $3.20/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)
At 28.3¢/kWh, home charging in Rhode Island costs more per mile than in 44 of the other 50 rows on this site. Gasoline in Rhode Island averages $3.20/gal, in line with the US average of $3.20/gal.
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 Rhode Island. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.
Rate used: 28.3¢/kWh · Rhode Island · EIA, July 2026 · gasoline $3.20/gal (2025–26 ref.) (data as of 2026-09-28) ·
Estimated savings per year (12,000 miles)
EV $0.071 a mile vs gas $0.107 a mile, home charging.
- EV cost per mile (EPA kWh/100 mi, at the wall)
- $0.071
- Gas cost per mile
- $0.107
- EV, 12,000 miles a year
- $848.70
- Gas car, 12,000 miles a year
- $1,280.00
- Savings per year
- $431.30
- Prices used
- electricity 28.3¢/kWh · gasoline $3.20/gal (Rhode Island)
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 Rhode Island
At 28.3¢/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 $0.071. A 30 mpg car at $3.20/gal spends $0.107 a mile. Over 12,000 miles: $848.70 for the EV, $1,280.00 for gasoline, a difference of $431.30 a year (fuel only). The $431.30 gap is the 5th-lowest of the 51 on this site.
Questions
FAQ
Is charging an EV cheaper than gas in Rhode Island?
At Rhode Island's average prices, yes for the page's example: $0.071 a mile for a Model 3 RWD at home against $0.107 for a 30 mpg car, $431.30 a year over 12,000 miles. The EV would lose its fuel-cost edge only above about 42.7¢/kWh, or against a gas car rated above 45 mpg. Both prices are editable above.
What about public fast charging in Rhode Island?
Fast chargers usually charge more per kWh than a home rate. This page uses Rhode Island's home average, 28.3¢/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 $3.20/gal.
How do time-of-use rates change this in Rhode Island?
The EV's cost per mile moves in direct proportion to the rate you charge at. If an overnight rate were half of 28.3¢/kWh (14.1¢/kWh), the Model 3 RWD would cost $0.035 a mile instead of $0.071. 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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