What is the average electricity rate in California?

34.74¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential customers in June 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 34.74¢ per kilowatt-hour in June 2026, 89% above the national average. Across 70 current electric cars, a year of home charging runs from $1,026 (2026 Lucid Air Pure RWD) to $2,826 (2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X).

Rate: 34.74¢
A year ago: 33.59¢
U.S. average: 18.34¢
Rank: 2nd 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
2026 Lucid Air Pure RWD	4.06	8.5¢	$35.92	$1,026
2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD	4.06	8.5¢	$31.06	$1,026
2026 Toyota bZ	3.90	8.9¢	$28.00	$1,071
2026 Lucid Air Touring AWD	3.81	9.1¢	$39.29	$1,092
2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD	3.79	9.2¢	$31.72	$1,101
2027 Audi A6 e-tron ultra	3.78	9.2¢	$36.30	$1,105
2026 Toyota bZ LIMITED	3.68	9.4¢	$28.24	$1,134
2026 Lexus ES 350e	3.67	9.5¢	$29.08	$1,138
2026 Lexus RZ 350e FWD	3.65	9.5¢	$28.63	$1,142
2027 Subaru Solterra AWD	3.58	9.7¢	$27.97	$1,167
2026 Toyota bZ AWD	3.57	9.7¢	$28.00	$1,167
2026 Lucid Air G Touring XR AWD	3.54	9.8¢	$50.23	$1,176
2027 Audi A6 e-tron quattro ultra	3.48	10.0¢	$35.96	$1,196
2027 Kia EV3 Long Range FWD	3.45	10.1¢	$32.34	$1,209
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech	3.45	10.1¢	$37.69	$1,209
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4matic with EQ Tech	3.45	10.1¢	$31.44	$1,209
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron	3.40	10.2¢	$29.42	$1,226
2026 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe	3.35	10.4¢	$34.50	$1,242
2026 Volkswagen ID.4	3.36	10.4¢	$30.12	$1,242
2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD	3.33	10.4¢	$33.14	$1,251
2025 Polestar 2 Single Motor	3.31	10.5¢	$32.97	$1,259
2027 Audi A6 e-tron	3.30	10.5¢	$36.69	$1,263
2026 Volvo EC40	3.16	11.0¢	$32.79	$1,322
2027 Audi A6 e-tron quattro	3.13	11.1¢	$36.34	$1,334
2026 Lucid Air Sapphire AWD	3.11	11.2¢	$47.66	$1,338
2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV FWD	3.10	11.2¢	$34.98	$1,347
2026 Honda Prologue FWD	3.07	11.3¢	$34.81	$1,355
2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD	3.02	11.5¢	$33.32	$1,380
2026 Porsche Macan Electric	3.00	11.6¢	$38.46	$1,388
2025 Honda Prologue AWD Touring	2.96	11.7¢	$34.50	$1,409
2026 Porsche Macan 4 Electric	2.93	11.9¢	$38.46	$1,426
2025 Nissan ARIYA EVOLVE+ FWD 87kWh	2.91	12.0¢	$34.50	$1,434
2026 BMW i4 xDrive40 Gran Coupe	2.88	12.1¢	$34.60	$1,447
2026 Honda Prologue AWD	2.88	12.1¢	$35.43	$1,447
2026 Genesis Electrified G80	2.86	12.2¢	$36.48	$1,459
2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RWD	2.83	12.3¢	$40.99	$1,472
2026 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T AWD 255/45R20	2.81	12.4¢	$36.48	$1,484
2026 Lucid Gravity Dream	2.75	12.6¢	$53.08	$1,517
2026 Porsche Macan GTS Electric	2.72	12.7¢	$37.48	$1,530
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ	2.72	12.8¢	$41.72	$1,534
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ 11kW Charger	2.72	12.8¢	$41.69	$1,534
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ 19kW Charger	2.72	12.8¢	$41.69	$1,534
2026 Porsche Macan 4S Electric	2.72	12.8¢	$37.07	$1,534
2026 Acura ZDX RWD	2.71	12.8¢	$41.86	$1,538
2026 Porsche Macan Turbo Electric	2.71	12.8¢	$37.52	$1,538
2026 Acura ZDX AWD	2.65	13.1¢	$42.31	$1,572
2026 Jeep Wagoneer S AWD	2.66	13.1¢	$38.46	$1,572
2026 Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor	2.53	13.7¢	$42.87	$1,647
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ AWD	2.52	13.8¢	$41.79	$1,655
2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD SS	2.52	13.8¢	$41.62	$1,655
2026 Acura ZDX AWD Type S	2.46	14.1¢	$41.72	$1,693
2026 Cadillac CELESTIQ	2.40	14.5¢	$43.88	$1,738
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4matic Plus	2.33	14.9¢	$46.90	$1,784
2026 Tesla Cybertruck AWD	2.33	14.9¢	$48.43	$1,788
2026 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD	2.33	14.9¢	$48.50	$1,788
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Max	2.31	15.0¢	$55.55	$1,801
2026 Tesla Cybertruck Long Range	2.31	15.1¢	$50.44	$1,809
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Large	2.25	15.4¢	$44.54	$1,851
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large	2.25	15.4¢	$44.54	$1,851
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Large Plus	2.13	16.3¢	$47.56	$1,955
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large Plus	2.13	16.3¢	$47.56	$1,955
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER2	2.13	16.3¢	$48.95	$1,959
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1	2.09	16.6¢	$53.26	$1,997
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD PRO ER1	2.09	16.6¢	$53.26	$1,997
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum 4WD	1.97	17.6¢	$52.84	$2,114
2025 GMC Sierra EV	1.91	18.2¢	$70.94	$2,184
2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 3X	1.48	23.5¢	$73.41	$2,822
2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X	1.48	23.5¢	$73.41	$2,822
2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 2X	1.47	23.6¢	$74.90	$2,826
2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X	1.47	23.6¢	$74.20	$2,826

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 $152 a year more expensive to fuel.

Questions

What is the average electricity rate in California?: 34.74¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential customers in June 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.