What is the average electricity rate in California?

29.75¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential customers in August 2026, per EIA's Electric Power Monthly.

Is it cheaper to charge at home or use public chargers?

Home charging at the residential rate is almost always cheaper. Public DC fast charging is typically priced several times higher per kilowatt-hour.

Does my utility offer a cheaper EV rate?

Many do, and in high-rate states the overnight EV rate can be less than half the state average used here. It is worth checking your utility's rate schedule before assuming the average applies to you.

Home › States › California

EV charging costs in California

Residential electricity in California averaged 29.75¢ per kilowatt-hour in August 2026, 64% above the national average. Across 70 current electric cars, a year of home charging runs from $878 (2027 Lucid Air Pure RWD) to $2,420 (2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X).

Rate: 29.75¢
A year ago: 30.92¢
U.S. average: 18.16¢
Rank: 4th most expensive

Assumptions: 12,000 miles a year, home Level 2 charging, and EPA combined consumption measured at the wall (so charging losses are already included). Gasoline comparison uses $3.50 a gallon at 30 MPG. Change any of these in the calculator.

Every model, cheapest first

Vehicle	mi/kWh	Per mile	Full charge	Per year
2027 Lucid Air Pure RWD	4.06	7.3¢	$30.76	$878
2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD	4.06	7.3¢	$26.60	$878
2027 Toyota bZ	3.90	7.6¢	$23.98	$917
2027 Lucid Air Touring AWD	3.81	7.8¢	$33.65	$935
2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD	3.79	7.9¢	$27.16	$942
2027 Audi A6 e-tron ultra	3.78	7.9¢	$31.09	$946
2027 Toyota bZ LIMITED	3.72	8.0¢	$23.89	$960
2026 Lexus ES 350e	3.67	8.1¢	$24.90	$975
2026 Lexus RZ 350e FWD	3.65	8.2¢	$24.51	$978
2027 Subaru Solterra AWD	3.58	8.3¢	$23.95	$1,000
2027 Toyota bZ AWD	3.57	8.3¢	$23.98	$1,000
2027 Lucid Air G Touring XR AWD	3.54	8.4¢	$43.02	$1,007
2027 Audi A6 e-tron quattro ultra	3.48	8.5¢	$30.79	$1,025
2027 Kia EV3 Long Range FWD	3.45	8.6¢	$27.70	$1,035
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech	3.45	8.6¢	$32.28	$1,035
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4matic with EQ Tech	3.45	8.6¢	$26.92	$1,035
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron	3.40	8.7¢	$25.20	$1,050
2026 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe	3.35	8.9¢	$29.54	$1,064
2026 Volkswagen ID.4	3.36	8.9¢	$25.79	$1,064
2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD	3.33	8.9¢	$28.38	$1,071
2025 Polestar 2 Single Motor	3.31	9.0¢	$28.23	$1,078
2027 Audi A6 e-tron	3.30	9.0¢	$31.42	$1,082
2026 Volvo EC40	3.16	9.4¢	$28.08	$1,132
2027 Audi A6 e-tron quattro	3.13	9.5¢	$31.12	$1,142
2027 Lucid Air Sapphire AWD	3.11	9.5¢	$40.82	$1,146
2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV FWD	3.10	9.6¢	$29.96	$1,153
2026 Honda Prologue FWD	3.07	9.7¢	$29.81	$1,160
2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD	3.02	9.8¢	$28.53	$1,182
2026 Porsche Macan Electric	3.00	9.9¢	$32.93	$1,189
2026 Honda Prologue AWD Touring	2.93	10.1¢	$29.81	$1,217
2026 Porsche Macan 4 Electric	2.93	10.2¢	$32.93	$1,221
2025 Nissan ARIYA EVOLVE+ FWD 87kWh	2.91	10.2¢	$29.54	$1,228
2026 Genesis Electrified G80	2.86	10.4¢	$31.24	$1,250
2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RWD	2.83	10.5¢	$35.10	$1,260
2026 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T AWD 255/45R20	2.81	10.6¢	$31.24	$1,271
2026 Lucid Gravity Dream	2.75	10.8¢	$45.46	$1,299
2026 Porsche Macan GTS Electric	2.72	10.9¢	$32.10	$1,310
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ	2.72	10.9¢	$35.73	$1,314
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ 11kW Charger	2.72	10.9¢	$35.70	$1,314
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ 19kW Charger	2.72	10.9¢	$35.70	$1,314
2026 Porsche Macan 4S Electric	2.72	10.9¢	$31.74	$1,314
2026 Acura ZDX RWD	2.71	11.0¢	$35.85	$1,317
2026 Porsche Macan Turbo Electric	2.71	11.0¢	$32.13	$1,317
2026 Acura ZDX AWD	2.65	11.2¢	$36.24	$1,346
2026 Jeep Wagoneer S AWD	2.66	11.2¢	$32.93	$1,346
2026 Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor	2.53	11.8¢	$36.71	$1,410
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ AWD	2.52	11.8¢	$35.79	$1,417
2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD SS	2.52	11.8¢	$35.64	$1,417
2026 Acura ZDX AWD Type S	2.46	12.1¢	$35.73	$1,449
2026 Cadillac CELESTIQ	2.40	12.4¢	$37.57	$1,489
2027 Rolls-Royce Spectre	2.37	12.6¢	$40.64	$1,507
2027 Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge	2.37	12.6¢	$40.64	$1,507
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4matic Plus	2.33	12.7¢	$40.16	$1,528
2026 Tesla Cybertruck AWD	2.33	12.8¢	$41.47	$1,532
2026 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD	2.33	12.8¢	$41.53	$1,532
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Max	2.31	12.9¢	$47.57	$1,542
2026 Tesla Cybertruck Long Range	2.31	12.9¢	$43.20	$1,549
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Large	2.25	13.2¢	$38.14	$1,585
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large	2.25	13.2¢	$38.14	$1,585
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Large Plus	2.13	14.0¢	$40.73	$1,674
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large Plus	2.13	14.0¢	$40.73	$1,674
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER2	2.13	14.0¢	$41.92	$1,678
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1	2.09	14.3¢	$45.61	$1,710
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD PRO ER1	2.09	14.3¢	$45.61	$1,710
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum 4WD	1.97	15.1¢	$45.25	$1,810
2025 GMC Sierra EV	1.91	15.6¢	$60.75	$1,871
2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 3X	1.48	20.1¢	$62.86	$2,417
2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X	1.48	20.1¢	$62.86	$2,417
2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 2X	1.47	20.2¢	$64.14	$2,420
2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X	1.47	20.2¢	$63.55	$2,420

A 30 MPG gasoline car covering the same 12,000 miles costs $1,400 a year in fuel at $3.50 a gallon, so in California the average electric car on this list is $63.60 a year cheaper to fuel.

Questions

What is the average electricity rate in California?: 29.75¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential customers in August 2026, per EIA's Electric Power Monthly.
Is it cheaper to charge at home or use public chargers?: Home charging at the residential rate is almost always cheaper. Public DC fast charging is typically priced several times higher per kilowatt-hour.
Does my utility offer a cheaper EV rate?: Many do, and in high-rate states the overnight EV rate can be less than half the state average used here. It is worth checking your utility's rate schedule before assuming the average applies to you.