EV Charging Cost in California: 33.35¢ per kWh

▲ 74% above US average
Residential electricity in California costs 33.35¢/kWh (March 2026), the 3rd most expensive of all 50 states and DC. A full 60 kWh EV charge costs about $20.01 — roughly 179% more than North Dakota, the cheapest state at 11.95¢/kWh.

Latest EIA data: March 2026 Published May 24, 2026 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

33.35¢
per kWh ▲ 0.39% MoM
$20.01
Full 60 kWh charge
9.5¢
Cost per mile
$537
Annual savings vs gas*

California Electricity Price Trend (24 Months)

15¢ 20¢ 26¢ 31¢ 37¢ Apr '24Oct '24Apr '25Oct '25Mar '26 33.35¢
California US average

Charging Cost by Battery Size in California

Battery Example EV Est. range Full charge (0–100%)
40 kWh Nissan Leaf 140 mi $13.34
60 kWh Typical EV 210 mi $20.01
80 kWh Tesla Model 3 LR 280 mi $26.68
100 kWh Tesla Model S 350 mi $33.35

Estimated range and charge cost assume 3.5 mi/kWh efficiency at California's 33.35¢/kWh residential rate. *Annual savings assumes 1,000 miles/month vs a 25 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon.

Over the past year, electricity in California has increased 2.68%, from 32.48¢ to 33.35¢ per kWh.

Compare California to Neighboring States

Arizona
15.59¢/kWh
53% cheaper
Nevada
14.17¢/kWh
58% cheaper
Oregon
14.89¢/kWh
55% cheaper

More for California EV Drivers

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does electricity cost in California?

Residential electricity in California costs 33.35¢/kWh as of March 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is 74% above the US average of 19.16¢/kWh, ranking California the 3rd most expensive of all 50 states and DC.

How much does it cost to charge an EV in California?

At 33.35¢/kWh, a full 0–100% charge costs about $13.34 for a 40 kWh battery, $20.01 for a typical 60 kWh EV, and $33.35 for a 100 kWh battery. That works out to roughly 9.5¢ per mile of driving.

Is it cheaper to drive an EV than a gas car in California?

Yes. Driving 1,000 miles a month on electricity in California costs about $1,143 a year, versus roughly $1,680 for a 25 MPG gas car at $3.50/gallon — an annual saving of about $537.

Electricity price from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (Form EIA-861), March 2026.