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EV vs Gas Cost Per Mile in Iowa

At Iowa's average prices, a Tesla Model 3 RWD costs an estimated $0.040 a mile to charge at home and a 30 mpg gas car $0.100 a mile in fuel: $720.30 a year apart over 12,000 miles. The EV's fuel cost per mile is 40% of the gas car's in Iowa.

An electric car plugged into a wall charger in a garage.
An electric car plugged into a wall charger in a garage.

State data

What Iowa pays

Home electricity
16.0¢/kWhEIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A · EIA, July 2026 (data as of 2026-09-28)
Gasoline
$3.00/galEIA weekly regional / AAA state averages, 2025–26 reference
EV used for the page
Tesla Model 3 RWD, 25 kWh/100 miEPA, fueleconomy.gov (combined)

Home electricity in Iowa is 16.0¢/kWh, 13% below the US average of 18.3¢/kWh. At $3.00/gal, a 30 mpg car in Iowa spends $0.100 a mile on fuel.

Statewide averages. Put your own rate and pump price in the calculator above.

EV vs gas cost per mile

F01

Scenario A

Sets the electricity rate. Pick US average if you're not sure.

$/kWh

From EIA for Iowa. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.

Rate used: 16.0¢/kWh · Iowa · EIA, July 2026 · gasoline $3.00/gal (2025–26 ref.) (data as of 2026-09-28) ·

mpg

Estimated savings per year (12,000 miles)

$720.30/ year

EV $0.040 a mile vs gas $0.100 a mile, home charging.

EV cost per mile (EPA kWh/100 mi, at the wall)
$0.040
Gas cost per mile
$0.100
EV, 12,000 miles a year
$479.70
Gas car, 12,000 miles a year
$1,200.00
Savings per year
$720.30
Prices used
electricity 16.0¢/kWh · gasoline $3.00/gal (Iowa)

Estimate. Formula and sources are under “How it works”. Change any input; the result updates as you type.

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Worked example

Worked example: Model 3 RWD vs a 30 mpg car in Iowa

At 16.0¢/kWh, a Model 3 RWD (25 kWh per 100 miles, EPA) draws 25 kWh from the wall for every 100 miles (the EPA measures it at the wall), so each mile costs $0.040. A 30 mpg car at $3.00/gal spends $0.100 a mile. Over 12,000 miles: $479.70 for the EV, $1,200.00 for gasoline, a difference of $720.30 a year (fuel only). The EV's cost per mile would match gas only above 40.0¢/kWh.

Questions

FAQ

Is charging an EV cheaper than gas in Iowa?

At Iowa's average prices, yes for the page's example: $0.040 a mile for a Model 3 RWD at home against $0.100 for a 30 mpg car, $720.30 a year over 12,000 miles. The EV would lose its fuel-cost edge only above about 40.0¢/kWh, or against a gas car rated above 75 mpg. Both prices are editable above.

What about public fast charging in Iowa?

Fast chargers usually charge more per kWh than a home rate. This page uses Iowa's home average, 16.0¢/kWh. To see the cost per mile on the road, type the charger's price per kWh into the electricity rate field; the gas side stays at $3.00/gal.

How do time-of-use rates change this in Iowa?

The EV's cost per mile moves in direct proportion to the rate you charge at. If an overnight rate were half of 16.0¢/kWh (8.0¢/kWh), the Model 3 RWD would cost $0.020 a mile instead of $0.040. Check your utility's tariff for the real overnight rate and type it in.

Bordering states

Nearby states

Same two cars, each state's own prices:

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