How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV? Public vs Home Prices
What public charging costs per kWh, per minute and per session, how idle fees work, and how it compares with charging at home in the US and Canada.
Updated October 12, 2026 · 8 min read
Short answer: across 854 US fast chargers that publish a per-kWh rate in our data, the median listed price is $0.50 per kWh. Adding about 54 kWh (10% to 80% on a 77 kWh battery) therefore costs roughly $27 on a fast charger, compared with about $8 to $10 at home.
Typical listed fast-charging prices by network
| Network | Stations with a listed rate | Median listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 295 | $0.57/kWh |
| Fplev | 96 | $0.30/kWh |
| Independent | 87 | $0.45/kWh |
| Applegreen | 73 | $0.64/kWh |
| Evolv Charging | 64 | $0.65/kWh |
| Walmart | 42 | $0.46/kWh |
| Nayax Energy | 36 | $0.50/kWh |
| Autel | 25 | $0.42/kWh |
Calculated from rates published in the U.S. Department of Energy station database. Many networks set prices in their app instead, and rates often change by time of day or membership plan, so treat these as a guide.
The four ways public charging is priced
- Per kWh. You pay for the energy delivered. This is the fairest model and is now the most common across the US and Canada.
- Per minute. You pay for time connected, sometimes in tiers by power level. Cars that charge quickly benefit; slow-charging cars pay more per kWh.
- Per session. A flat fee to start, sometimes combined with one of the above.
- Free. 10,167 locations in our directory list free charging, mostly Level 2 at hotels, stores, libraries and city lots.
Fees that catch drivers out
Idle fees
Most fast-charging networks charge by the minute once your session ends, commonly $0.40 to $1.00 per minute after a grace period. Set a reminder or watch the app.
Peak pricing
Tesla and other networks raise prices in busy hours, often late afternoon and evening. The same charge can cost noticeably less late at night.
Parking
Free charging in a paid garage is not free. The station page notes access restrictions where the network lists them.
Home charging: the cheapest option
At an average residential rate of roughly 16 cents per kWh, adding 54 kWh at home costs around $9, before charging losses. Utilities across the US and Canada offer time-of-use plans that make overnight charging cheaper still. If you are thinking about a wall charger, our home charger guide covers equipment, installation and rebates.
Saving money on the road
- Charge to 80%, not 100%. The last 20% is slow and, on per-minute networks, expensive.
- Compare networks: a membership plan pays for itself if you fast charge a few times a month.
- Use free Level 2 at your destination when you are staying for several hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to charge an EV at home?
Almost always. Home electricity in the US averages around 15 to 18 cents per kWh, a third of typical DC fast-charging prices. Time-of-use plans can lower overnight rates further.
What is an idle fee?
A per-minute charge that starts when your session ends but the car stays plugged in, usually after a short grace period. It keeps busy chargers moving; unplug promptly to avoid it.
Why do some chargers bill per minute instead of per kWh?
Some states and provinces historically restricted reselling electricity by the kWh. Per-minute pricing favours cars that charge fast; a slow-charging car pays more per kWh delivered.