How Much Do Electric Car Charging Stations Cost?

Considering an electric vehicle? Chances are you’ve heard of the good lease deals and low-to-zero financing deals on some EVs as sales cool and lawmakers weigh ending the federal EV tax credit by the end of 2025. The time to lease or buy an EV is now, and installing a home charger or accessing a DC fast-charging station on the road has only gotten better. But how much does it cost to charge an electric car both at home and at a public DC fast charger?

Related: Which States Have the Most Public EV Chargers?

How Much Does It Cost to Charge at a Public EV Charger?

EVs are usually cheaper to fuel than similarly sized gas-powered cars, though the charging cost varies based on time of day, location, the provider and other factors. Travel-services organization AAA estimates it costs 36 cents per kilowatt-hour to charge an EV on any public outlet at the time of writing, whether it’s Level 1, Level 2 or DC fast charging.

It cost 45 cents per kWh to DC fast-charge an EV, according to EV charging consultancy firm Stable as of December 2024; other estimates range from 40 cents to 60 cents per kWh. For example, if you charge an EV with a 75-kWh battery pack to 80%, or 60 kWh, it’ll cost you $30 at 50 cents per kWh. Most EVs DC fast-charge from 10%-80% in less than 30 minutes, depending on the battery size, output of the charger, peak rate allowed by the EV and other variables (including the weather).

Charging on a Level 2 240-volt port at up to 19 kilowatts takes longer, at about three hours on average, but it also costs less at an average of 26 cents per kWh, per Stable.

What Provides Public EV Charging?

While there are many companies vying for a slice of the public-charging pie, these are the leading public-charging suppliers:

• Tesla Superchargers
• Electrify America
• ChargePoint
• EVgo
• Blink Charging
• EV Connect

There are many companies operating in many locations to provide Level 2 or DC fast charging to just about every vehicle. Only the Nissan Leaf uses a different protocol, called CHAdeMO, and that ends with the redesigned 2026 Leaf.

With EV charging adapters, just about every new all-electric vehicle can charge on a Level 2 public charger. Expect an adapter to cost about $200, though some automakers include it free; avoid a third-party supplier because it could invalidate a warranty if something goes wrong. The mass adoption of the North American Charging Standard promises the same even for non-Tesla EVs at Superchargers, but it’s a case-by-case basis for now and depends on the Supercharger iteration itself. Check with your EV dealer for compatibility or visit the website or app of the charging company or automaker.

Once out on the road, you can find DC fast chargers at places ranging from select Walmart and Costco locations to an increasing number of roadside gas stations like Pilot and 7-Eleven. Even Waffle House has gotten in on the DC fast-charging track. Check your EV’s navigation system for the nearest station or for stations on your route.

You could also choose to charge based on the company supplying the charging. Introductory deals entice some brand-agnostic shoppers to visit a new company. Some automakers have partnerships with certain suppliers, too. For instance, Tesla owners get more access to Superchargers and may get a lower rate, depending on their plan. Electrify America has partnerships with Audi, BMW, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen. Other deals and incentives vary by automaker and EV charging supplier.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?

One of the most attractive features of an EV is the ability to plug in your car at night and have it fully charged in the morning, just like a smartphone. Unless an EV owner is heading out for a long-distance road trip, they might not need to visit a public charging station at all. As of March 2025, electricity at residential homes costs 17 cents per kWh, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Using the same EV with the 75-kWh battery pack as an example, it would cost $12.75 to charge at home on average, pending many other factors such as the time of day, what region you live in and the output of your Level 2 charger.

Plugging into a standard 120-volt outlet that only recharges 2-4 miles per hour could get the job done, especially for plug-in hybrids or drivers who don’t log that many miles. It also wouldn’t cost anything to install it, as most garages have electricity. For an EV owner who is living in a multidwelling unit, though, you’ll likely need board or homeowner association approval for any charging setups even if you run an extension cord from a window out to your EV.

Most EV owners opt to install a Level 2 charger, which uses a higher capacity 240-volt connection like what’s used for refrigerators, dryers and other high-load appliances. Cars.com editors recommend it, and six of our editors have installed chargers in a range of situations, from detached garages to townhouses without a garage.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Level 2 EV Charger?

EV charger hardware typically costs less than the installation. Depending on the type of home and the desired location of the charger, installation can cost more than $3,000, whereas the hardware often costs less than $1,000.

There are numerous companies offering home charging solutions, including automaker-specific ones. Tesla, Emporia and Wallbox ranked highest among user satisfaction for Level 2 mounted charging stations, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Home Charging Study. Many automakers partner with Level 2 charger suppliers to incentivize buying an EV, too. For example, Ford is offering a complimentary home charger and home installation through Qmerit with the purchase of an F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E or E-Transit through early July 2025. Hyundai, Honda and Acura offer a credit toward a charger or installation, as well, or you can opt for a public charging credit.

For now, the federal government offers up to a $1,000 tax credit for a home charging station if it amounts to 30% of the cost of the following criteria:

• The EV charging port
• Components and parts deemed essential for the operation of the charging port
• Labor for construction and installation

States may also offer incentives, as may local utility companies.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Level 2 EV Charger at Home?

It really depends on where and how you want to mount an EV charger. Consider the case of a single family home with an attached garage: If the existing service panel (or fuse box) sits near the proposed charger mount, then it won’t be too complicated to run conduit. Installation by a certified electrician shouldn’t cost more than $1,000, including permits. It’s possible to install it directly to the meter, too, for the most cost-efficient option.

But as layers of complexity are added, the price of installation increases, and in addition to all of the permutations that can affect each unique installation, permits typically need to be granted and should be done by the installer before any work is started.

If you want to install a Level 2 charging system in a detached garage and need to drill a hole through the foundation, run conduit underground and possibly dig up part of the driveway, expect a charge exceeding $3,000.

Though most newer houses have 200-amp service, older houses might need to upgrade their box entirely to support the high output of Level 2 charging. Many Level 2 chargers are rated at 48 amps, so if the house has a 100-amp box total, then upgrading it to a 150-amp or 200-amp box may be required. Upgrading from a 100-amp box will cost money, but such modernization could be an attractive selling point down the road.

For townhouses or properties without a garage, it’s possible to install a charger on a post at a dedicated parking spot. However, it may require approval from an HOA and might require more digging and more conduit to run it from the home’s service panel to the post.

More From Cars.com:

• What Kia EV Owners Need to Know Before Using a Tesla Supercharger
• Plug & Charge Tech Is Coming to Public EV Chargers to Free Us From Apps and Cards
• E-Roadways: How Do Inductive-Charging Roads for EVs Work?
• When Will All Fast-Charging Stations Be Open to All EVs?
• What Are the Hidden Costs of Owning an Electric Car?

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