What is the average electricity rate in California?

33.61¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential customers in July 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 33.61¢ per kilowatt-hour in July 2026, 84% above the national average. Across 70 current electric cars, a year of home charging runs from $992 (2027 Lucid Air Pure RWD) to $2,735 (2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X).

Rate: 33.61¢
A year ago: 32.66¢
U.S. average: 18.31¢
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
2027 Lucid Air Pure RWD	4.06	8.3¢	$34.75	$992
2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD	4.06	8.3¢	$30.05	$992
2027 Toyota bZ	3.90	8.6¢	$27.09	$1,037
2027 Lucid Air Touring AWD	3.81	8.8¢	$38.01	$1,057
2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD	3.79	8.9¢	$30.69	$1,065
2027 Audi A6 e-tron ultra	3.78	8.9¢	$35.12	$1,069
2027 Toyota bZ LIMITED	3.72	9.0¢	$26.99	$1,085
2026 Lexus ES 350e	3.67	9.2¢	$28.13	$1,101
2026 Lexus RZ 350e FWD	3.65	9.2¢	$27.69	$1,105
2027 Subaru Solterra AWD	3.58	9.4¢	$27.06	$1,129
2027 Toyota bZ AWD	3.57	9.4¢	$27.09	$1,129
2027 Lucid Air G Touring XR AWD	3.54	9.5¢	$48.60	$1,137
2027 Audi A6 e-tron quattro ultra	3.48	9.6¢	$34.79	$1,158
2027 Kia EV3 Long Range FWD	3.45	9.7¢	$31.29	$1,170
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech	3.45	9.7¢	$36.47	$1,170
2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4matic with EQ Tech	3.45	9.7¢	$30.42	$1,170
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron	3.40	9.9¢	$28.47	$1,186
2026 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe	3.35	10.0¢	$33.37	$1,202
2026 Volkswagen ID.4	3.36	10.0¢	$29.14	$1,202
2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD	3.33	10.1¢	$32.06	$1,210
2025 Polestar 2 Single Motor	3.31	10.2¢	$31.90	$1,218
2027 Audi A6 e-tron	3.30	10.2¢	$35.49	$1,222
2026 Volvo EC40	3.16	10.7¢	$31.73	$1,279
2027 Audi A6 e-tron quattro	3.13	10.8¢	$35.16	$1,291
2027 Lucid Air Sapphire AWD	3.11	10.8¢	$46.11	$1,295
2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV FWD	3.10	10.9¢	$33.85	$1,303
2026 Honda Prologue FWD	3.07	10.9¢	$33.68	$1,311
2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD	3.02	11.1¢	$32.23	$1,335
2026 Porsche Macan Electric	3.00	11.2¢	$37.21	$1,343
2026 Honda Prologue AWD Touring	2.93	11.5¢	$33.68	$1,375
2026 Porsche Macan 4 Electric	2.93	11.5¢	$37.21	$1,379
2025 Nissan ARIYA EVOLVE+ FWD 87kWh	2.91	11.6¢	$33.37	$1,387
2026 Genesis Electrified G80	2.86	11.8¢	$35.29	$1,412
2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RWD	2.83	11.9¢	$39.66	$1,424
2026 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T AWD 255/45R20	2.81	12.0¢	$35.29	$1,436
2026 Lucid Gravity Dream	2.75	12.2¢	$51.36	$1,468
2026 Porsche Macan GTS Electric	2.72	12.3¢	$36.27	$1,480
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ	2.72	12.4¢	$40.37	$1,484
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ 11kW Charger	2.72	12.4¢	$40.33	$1,484
2027 Cadillac LYRIQ 19kW Charger	2.72	12.4¢	$40.33	$1,484
2026 Porsche Macan 4S Electric	2.72	12.4¢	$35.86	$1,484
2026 Acura ZDX RWD	2.71	12.4¢	$40.50	$1,488
2026 Porsche Macan Turbo Electric	2.71	12.4¢	$36.30	$1,488
2026 Acura ZDX AWD	2.65	12.7¢	$40.94	$1,521
2026 Jeep Wagoneer S AWD	2.66	12.7¢	$37.21	$1,521
2026 Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor	2.53	13.3¢	$41.47	$1,593
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ AWD	2.52	13.3¢	$40.43	$1,601
2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD SS	2.52	13.3¢	$40.26	$1,601
2026 Acura ZDX AWD Type S	2.46	13.6¢	$40.37	$1,637
2026 Cadillac CELESTIQ	2.40	14.0¢	$42.45	$1,682
2027 Rolls-Royce Spectre	2.37	14.2¢	$45.91	$1,702
2027 Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge	2.37	14.2¢	$45.91	$1,702
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 4matic Plus	2.33	14.4¢	$45.37	$1,726
2026 Tesla Cybertruck AWD	2.33	14.4¢	$46.85	$1,730
2026 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD	2.33	14.4¢	$46.92	$1,730
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Max	2.31	14.5¢	$53.74	$1,742
2026 Tesla Cybertruck Long Range	2.31	14.6¢	$48.80	$1,750
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Large	2.25	14.9¢	$43.09	$1,791
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large	2.25	14.9¢	$43.09	$1,791
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Dual Large Plus	2.13	15.8¢	$46.01	$1,892
2026 Rivian R1S All-Terrain Performance Dual Large Plus	2.13	15.8¢	$46.01	$1,892
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER2	2.13	15.8¢	$47.36	$1,896
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD ER1	2.09	16.1¢	$51.52	$1,932
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD PRO ER1	2.09	16.1¢	$51.52	$1,932
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum 4WD	1.97	17.0¢	$51.12	$2,045
2025 GMC Sierra EV	1.91	17.6¢	$68.63	$2,113
2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 3X	1.48	22.8¢	$71.02	$2,730
2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X	1.48	22.8¢	$71.02	$2,730
2025 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 2X	1.47	22.8¢	$72.46	$2,735
2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X	1.47	22.8¢	$71.79	$2,735

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 $110 a year more expensive to fuel.

Questions

What is the average electricity rate in California?: 33.61¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential customers in July 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.