Calculate the electricity cost of driving an electric car one mile after factoring in charging losses. The calculator accepts consumption in either kWh per 100 miles or miles per kWh, an electricity price and a charging efficiency, then returns cost per mile, monthly cost and annual cost.
Cost per mile is the standard running-cost metric for drivers in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and other markets that measure distance in miles. It is the easiest way to compare an EV against a petrol or diesel car priced in pence per mile or cents per mile.
Formula for EV cost per mile
Cost per mile equals consumption in kWh per mile multiplied by electricity price per kWh, divided by charging efficiency expressed as a fraction. If you only know consumption in miles per kWh, take its reciprocal first. If you only know consumption in kWh per 100 km, multiply by 0.621 to convert to kWh per 100 miles, then divide by 100 to get kWh per mile.
Typical EV consumption in mile units
A typical efficient EV achieves 3.5 to 4.5 miles per kWh in mixed driving. A larger crossover sits at 2.8 to 3.5 miles per kWh. Trucks and large SUVs at highway speed can drop to 2.0 to 2.5 miles per kWh, especially in winter or when towing.
Cost per mile on home vs public charging
At 30 cents per kWh on a US home tariff and 4 miles per kWh at 90 percent efficiency, cost per mile is about 8.3 cents. The same car on a 45 cents per kWh DC fast charger costs about 12.5 cents per mile. UK drivers can use the same formula in pence per kWh and pence per mile.
EV vs petrol cost per mile
A petrol car at 35 mpg and 4.50 per US gallon costs about 12.9 cents per mile. An EV at 4 miles per kWh on a 13 cents per kWh tariff at 90 percent efficiency costs about 3.6 cents per mile — roughly one third the petrol cost. UK drivers can repeat the calculation in pence.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cost per mile for an EV?
Divide your electricity price per kWh by miles per kWh, then divide by charging efficiency. Or multiply kWh per mile by price and divide by efficiency.
What is a good cost per mile for an EV?
Home charging delivers 3 to 10 cents per mile in most markets. Public DC fast charging can rise to 12 to 18 cents per mile.
How many miles per kWh do EVs get?
Efficient EVs do 4 to 4.5 miles per kWh in mixed driving. Mainstream sedans sit at 3.0 to 3.8. Large SUVs and trucks at highway speed often drop below 3.
How does cold weather affect cost per mile?
Cold-weather range loss of 20 to 35 percent translates directly into a higher cost per mile until temperatures rise again.
Is cost per mile the same as pence per mile?
Yes, for UK drivers. The formula is identical; the currency just changes.
How does cost per mile compare with petrol?
Home-charged EVs typically cost a third to a half of an equivalent petrol car per mile. The gap closes on public DC fast charging.
Why divide by efficiency?
You pay for energy drawn from the wall, not stored in the battery. Dividing by efficiency captures the difference.
Should I use EPA or WLTP figures?
Use the figure that matches your local driving conditions. EPA is generally closer to real-world for US drivers; WLTP is closer for European drivers in mild climates.