Is an EV cheaper than gas in California?
California has some of the highest electricity and gas prices in the country. Here's how they net out.
Quick answer
Yes, if you charge at home. At California’s average $0.333/kWh, a typical electric car costs about 10.1¢ a mile. A 28-mpg gas car at $4.87/gallon costs about 17.4¢ a mile. At 1,000 miles a month: about $101 against $174, $73 a month less, more than the U.S. average saving of $65.
Fast chargers only: no. At $0.61/kWh, the California average, fast charging is about 18.5¢ a mile against 17.4¢ for gas.
Electricity
$0.333/kWh
2nd-highest in the U.S.
Gas
$4.87/gal
Highest in the U.S.
Fast charging
$0.61/kWh
6th-highest in the U.S. (Paren)
Saving at home
$73/month
at 1,000 miles a month
By city and utility
Your utility matters more than the state average. These are typical residential rates; most California utilities also offer EV time-of-use plans with cheaper overnight rates, which would lower these figures.
| City | Utility | Rate | EV at home | Saving a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LADWP | $0.298/kWh | 9.0¢/mi | $84 |
| San Francisco | PG&E | $0.312/kWh | 9.5¢/mi | $79 |
| San Diego | SDG&E | $0.354/kWh | 10.7¢/mi | $67 |
| Sacramento | SMUD | $0.218/kWh | 6.6¢/mi | $108 |
| Fresno | PG&E | $0.299/kWh | 9.1¢/mi | $83 |
By car, charged at home in California
A month at 1,000 miles, cheapest first. A 28-mpg gas car: about $174.
Questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than buy gas in California?
Yes, at home. California electricity averages $0.333 per kWh, so a typical EV costs about 10.1¢ a mile, against 17.4¢ for a 28-mpg car at $4.87 a gallon. That's about $73 a month less at 1,000 miles.
Is fast charging cheaper than gas in California?
No. California fast chargers average $0.61 per kWh (Paren, Q3 2026), the 6th-highest in the U.S.: about 18.5¢ a mile, against 17.4¢ for gas.
Why is EV charging expensive in California?
California has the 2nd-highest average residential electricity rate of the 50 states and D.C. It also has the highest gas price, which is why charging at home still comes out ahead.
What would you save in California?
Your ZIP code, your driving and where you can charge change the answer. Answer 5 quick questions and see your own cost against gas.
Check your EV readiness →Fuel only: purchase price, insurance and maintenance are not included, and neither are charging losses (about 10–15%). “Typical EV” is the median all-electric car in our catalogue (3.3 mi/kWh). Electricity: EIA average residential rate, May 2026; city rates are typical residential tariffs from each utility. Gas: EIA state average. Fast charging: average at all stations in California, from Paren, State of the US Fast Charging Industry Report, Q3 2026 (data as of September 30, 2026).