Home Kilowatt

EV vs Gas Cost Per Mile in Virginia

At Virginia's average prices, a Tesla Model 3 RWD costs an estimated $0.044 a mile to charge at home and a 30 mpg gas car $0.103 a mile in fuel: $713.50 a year apart over 12,000 miles. Per mile, the EV spends about 42% of what the gas car does.

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 Virginia pays

Home electricity
17.5¢/kWhEIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A · EIA, July 2026 (data as of 2026-09-28)
Gasoline
$3.10/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)

At 17.5¢/kWh, a Model 3 RWD costs $0.044 a mile to charge at home in Virginia. Virginia's pump price of $3.10/gal is the 25th-highest of the 51 on this site.

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 Virginia. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.

Rate used: 17.5¢/kWh · Virginia · EIA, July 2026 · gasoline $3.10/gal (2025–26 ref.) (data as of 2026-09-28) ·

mpg

Estimated savings per year (12,000 miles)

$713.50/ year

EV $0.044 a mile vs gas $0.103 a mile, home charging.

EV cost per mile (EPA kWh/100 mi, at the wall)
$0.044
Gas cost per mile
$0.103
EV, 12,000 miles a year
$526.50
Gas car, 12,000 miles a year
$1,240.00
Savings per year
$713.50
Prices used
electricity 17.5¢/kWh · gasoline $3.10/gal (Virginia)

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

Embed this calculator

Paste this code on your site. The calculator stays free and shows 'Powered by Home Kilowatt'.

Worked example

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

At 17.5¢/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 $0.044. A 30 mpg car at $3.10/gal spends $0.103 a mile. Over 12,000 miles: $526.50 for the EV, $1,240.00 for gasoline, a difference of $713.50 a year (fuel only). That difference is the 26th-highest of the 51 on this site.

Questions

FAQ

Is charging an EV cheaper than gas in Virginia?

At Virginia's average prices, yes for the page's example: $0.044 a mile for a Model 3 RWD at home against $0.103 for a 30 mpg car, $713.50 a year over 12,000 miles. The EV would lose its fuel-cost edge only above about 41.3¢/kWh, or against a gas car rated above 71 mpg. Both prices are editable above.

What about public fast charging in Virginia?

Fast chargers usually charge more per kWh than a home rate. This page uses Virginia's home average, 17.5¢/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 $3.10/gal.

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

The EV's cost per mile moves in direct proportion to the rate you charge at. If an overnight rate were half of 17.5¢/kWh (8.8¢/kWh), the Model 3 RWD would cost $0.022 a mile instead of $0.044. 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:

Related