How this EV charging cost calculator works
The calculator converts your driving distance to a monthly estimate, converts EV efficiency into kWh used, adjusts for charging losses, then applies home and public electricity prices based on the charging mix.
What kWh and EV efficiency mean
A kilowatt-hour is an energy unit used for electricity billing and EV batteries. EV efficiency can be entered as distance per kWh or as kWh used per 100 miles or kilometres.
Home charging vs public charging
Home and public charging can have different prices. The calculator weights them by the home charging percentage entered.
Charging losses
Some energy can be lost while charging, so the grid energy bought can be higher than the energy used while driving. The charging loss field keeps that assumption visible.
What this calculator does not include
This calculator provides general estimates only. It does not fetch live electricity prices, include charger installation costs, model battery degradation, calculate incentives or compare total vehicle ownership costs.
Key terms and assumptionsFormula notes, key terms, source assumptions and limits used in this calculator.
- Charging energy
- The calculator estimates kWh used from distance and vehicle efficiency.
- Charging mix
- Home and public charging costs are weighted by the charging share entered.
- Charging losses
- Charging loss increases the grid energy bought to allow for energy lost while charging.
- Electricity prices
- Home and public electricity prices are user-entered assumptions, not live prices.
- Region settings
- Region settings change defaults, labels, units and currency formatting only. They do not convert exchange rates.
Guides and methodology
Plain-English notes that explain the assumptions behind related calculators and tools.
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FAQs
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy used for electricity billing and EV battery use.
What does mi/kWh mean?
It estimates how many miles the car travels on one kWh.
What does kWh/100km mean?
It estimates how many kWh the car uses to travel 100 kilometres.
Does this include charger installation?
No. It only estimates charging energy cost.
Are electricity prices live?
No. Enter your own home and public charging prices.
Why include charging losses?
Some energy is lost during charging, so grid energy bought can be higher than energy used while driving.
Can I use kilometres?
Yes. Region and unit settings can use metric distance and efficiency units.
Does this compare EVs with gas cars?
No. Use the Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator for a direct gas, petrol and EV energy-cost comparison, or Total Car Cost for broader ownership-cost estimates.