How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car in California?

California leads the nation in electric vehicle adoption, with more drivers making the switch every year. But for Southern California homeowners—especially those served by SCE—the big question remains: How much does it actually cost to charge an EV at home compared to fueling a gas car?

The short answer: even with California's higher electricity rates, charging an EV at home is still significantly cheaper than buying gasoline. And with the right setup—like a Level 2 home charger paired with solar panels and battery storage—you can drive for pennies per mile, or even free.

Here's everything you need to know about EV charging costs in California for 2026, including updated SCE rates, smart charging strategies, and how solar power can eliminate your charging costs entirely.

Understanding California's High Electricity Rates

As of January 2026, Southern California Edison (SCE) customers pay an average of 34.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential electricity. With the California Climate Credit applied, that drops to about 33.2¢/kWh—but that's still 94% higher than the national average of 17.78¢/kWh.

Why are rates so high? Between wildfire mitigation investments, grid modernization, and infrastructure upgrades, SCE has increased rates by approximately 13% in recent months alone. If you're wondering why electricity bills are so high in Southern California, these infrastructure costs are a major driver.

But here's the good news: even at 34.5¢/kWh, charging an EV at home costs roughly half what you'd spend on gasoline for the same driving distance.

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The Real Cost to Charge an EV at Home in California

To understand your charging costs, you need to know two things:

1. Your electricity rate (SCE averages 34.5¢/kWh in 2026)
2. Your EV's battery size (measured in kWh)
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Here's what it costs to fully charge common EV battery sizes at California's current rates:

• 40 kWh battery (≈150 miles range): $13.80 per full charge
• 60 kWh battery (≈220 miles range): $20.70 per full charge
• 75 kWh battery (≈280 miles range): $25.88 per full charge
• 100 kWh battery (≈370 miles range): $34.50 per full charge
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EV vs. Gas: Cost Per Mile Comparison

Let's compare the cost to drive 150 miles:

Electric Vehicle (40 kWh battery):

• Cost: $13.80 at home charging
• Per mile: 9.2 cents
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Gasoline Car (25 mpg, $3.50/gallon):

• Cost: $21.00 (6 gallons × $3.50)
• Per mile: 14 cents

Bottom line: You're saving about 5 cents per mile by driving electric—that's $600-$750 per year for the average driver (12,000-15,000 miles annually).

Why EV Charging Costs Are Rising in 2026

Rising electricity costs in Southern California aren't slowing down. SCE rates have increased 83% over the past 10 years, and 25% just since 2022.

Here's what's driving the increases:

• Wildfire mitigation: Undergrounding 212 miles of power lines costs billions
• Grid hardening: Infrastructure upgrades to prevent outages
• Battery storage expansion: 400 MW of new storage capacity by 2028
• Base Services Charge: New $24-34/month fixed fee (started Nov 2025)

For EV owners with high electricity usage, these increases hit even harder. The typical Southern California household uses 500-700 kWh per month. Add an EV, and you could use an additional 300-400 kWh monthly—pushing your bill up by $100-$140.

That's why more homeowners are turning to solar.

Home Charging: Your Most Affordable Option

Charging at home is always the cheapest way to power your EV. Here's why:

Level 2 Home Chargers

Installing a Level 2 EV charger at home is your best investment. These chargers:

• Fully charge most EVs in 6-10 hours overnight
• Cost $1,000-$2,500 to install (including equipment and labor)
• Deliver 240-volt power for faster charging vs. standard outlets
• Pay for themselves in 12-18 months through gas savings alone

Some utilities, including SCE, offer rebates up to $1,500 for Level 2 charger installations, bringing your out-of-pocket cost down significantly.

Level 1 Charging (Standard Outlet)

You can charge using a regular 120-volt outlet, but it's slow—adding only 3-5 miles of range per hour. Fine for overnight charging if you drive less than 40 miles daily, but not ideal for most Southern California commuters.

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Public Charging: Convenient but Costly

While home charging is cheapest, you'll occasionally need public charging stations. Here's what you'll pay in California:

Level 2 Public Charging

• Cost: $0.25-$0.30 per kWh average
• Full charge (60 kWh battery): $15-$18
• Found at: Shopping centers, workplaces, parking structures
• Speed: 4-8 hours for full charge
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DC Fast Charging

• Cost: $0.40-$0.50 per kWh average (some networks charge $0.60+)
• Full charge (60 kWh battery): $24-$30
• Found at: Highway rest stops, major retail centers
• Speed: 30-60 minutes to 80% charge

Reality check: Relying exclusively on public DC fast charging would cost you $1,800+ annually (based on 12,000 miles/year)—that's nearly as much as gasoline. Public charging should be your backup, not your primary strategy.

Smart Charging Strategies to Save Even More

You can cut your home charging costs significantly by charging during off-peak hours. SCE's Time-of-Use rates vary dramatically by time of day:

SCE TOU-D-4-9PM Rate Plan (Most Common):

• Off-peak (9pm-4pm): 24-31¢/kWh ✅ Best time to charge
• On-peak (4pm-9pm): 58-74¢/kWh ⚠️ Avoid charging

Pro tip: Set your EV to charge automatically after 9pm. You'll save 30-50% on charging costs compared to peak-hour charging.

Super Off-Peak Charging (Midnight-3pm):

Some SCE plans offer even lower rates during super off-peak hours—as low as 24¢/kWh. Charging a 60 kWh battery during these hours costs just $14.40 instead of $20.70 at average rates.

How Solar + Battery Makes EV Charging Free

Here's where it gets exciting: pairing your EV with solar panels and battery storage can eliminate your charging costs entirely.

Here's how it works:

1. Solar panels generate electricity during the day (free energy from the sun)
2. Excess power charges your home battery instead of selling back to SCE at low NEM 3.0 rates
3. Battery powers your home and charges your EV overnight (when you're not generating solar)
4. Result: You drive on sunshine—for free
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Real-World Example

A typical Southern California home with an EV needs:

• 8-10 kW solar system (24-30 panels) for home + EV charging
• 1-2 batteries (13.5-27 kWh storage) for overnight EV charging

Investment: $25,000-$35,000 (after available incentives)
Payback period: 6-8 years with current SCE rates
25-year savings: $75,000-$95,000 in electricity + gas costs

Want to know exactly how many solar panels you need for an EV in California? US Power offers free system sizing consultations.

Why Batteries Are Essential in 2026

Under NEM 3.0, solar-only systems don't make financial sense anymore. California's net billing policy pays you wholesale rates (2-5¢/kWh) for excess solar exported during the day—far less than the 34.5¢/kWh you pay to import power at night.

That's why battery storage maximizes your savings. Instead of selling solar power cheap and buying it back expensive, you store it and use it when you need it—including overnight EV charging.

Can You Really Charge Your Tesla for Free?

Yes. Many Southern California homeowners are already doing it. Learn exactly how to charge your Tesla overnight with solar using a properly sized solar + battery system.

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What Southern California EV Owners Actually Pay

Let's look at real monthly costs for typical Southern California EV owners:

EV Only (No Solar):

• Home charging: $40-$70/month (depends on mileage and TOU plan)
• Occasional public charging: $10-$20/month
• Total monthly cost: $50-$90

Compare to gas: $150-$250/month for equivalent driving
Monthly savings: $60-$180

EV + Solar + Battery:

• Electricity cost: $0-$15/month (mostly grid connection fees)
• Charging cost: $0 (powered by your solar system)
• Total monthly cost: $0-$15

Compare to gas: $150-$250/month
Monthly savings: $135-$250

Annual savings with solar: $1,600-$3,000 (electricity + avoided gas costs)

Get Started: Solar + EV Charging with US Power

Charging an EV in California costs $12-$16 per full charge at home—about half the cost of gasoline. But with SCE rates continuing to climb, those savings are shrinking.

The smartest move? Lock in free charging for the next 25+ years with solar + battery storage.

Here's what makes US Power different:

✅ Exclusive QCells partner with factory-direct pricing (15-20% below market)
✅ American-made panels with 25-year comprehensive warranty
✅ 3-4 week installation timeline (fastest in Southern California)
✅ CSLB-licensed consultants who design systems for EV charging
✅ 180+ five-star Google reviews from satisfied homeowners
✅ No hidden fees or predatory contracts—transparent pricing guaranteed

We'll design a system sized specifically for your home and your EV, ensuring you generate enough solar power to cover both. Want to see how much solar panels cost in California for your home? Get a free quote in minutes.

Take Control of Your EV Charging Costs Today

EV charging in California is still cheaper than gasoline—but with electricity rates climbing every year, the savings gap is narrowing. The solution? Generate your own power with solar and never worry about rate hikes again.

US Power makes it easy. We design solar + battery systems specifically for Southern California EV owners, handle all permits and installations, and deliver systems in just 3-4 weeks from approval.

Stop paying SCE's rising rates. Start driving on sunshine.

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