EV vs Gas Cost Per Mile in Washington
At Washington's average prices, a Tesla Model 3 RWD costs an estimated $0.037 a mile to charge at home and a 30 mpg gas car $0.140 a mile in fuel: $1,238.70 a year apart over 12,000 miles. Charging here costs about a third or less of gasoline per mile: 26%.
State data
What Washington pays
- Home electricity
- 14.7¢/kWhEIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A · EIA, July 2026 (data as of 2026-09-28)
- Gasoline
- $4.20/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)
With electricity under 15¢/kWh (14.7¢/kWh), even a 48 kWh/100 mi F-150 Lightning costs $0.071 a mile to charge in Washington. Gasoline is $4.20/gal in Washington, 31% above the US average of $3.20/gal, so a 30 mpg car spends $0.140 a mile.
Statewide averages. Put your own rate and pump price in the calculator above.
EV vs gas cost per mile
F01Scenario A
Sets the electricity rate. Pick US average if you're not sure.
From EIA for Washington. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.
Rate used: 14.7¢/kWh · Washington · EIA, July 2026 · gasoline $4.20/gal (2025–26 ref.) (data as of 2026-09-28) ·
Estimated savings per year (12,000 miles)
EV $0.037 a mile vs gas $0.140 a mile, home charging.
- EV cost per mile (EPA kWh/100 mi, at the wall)
- $0.037
- Gas cost per mile
- $0.140
- EV, 12,000 miles a year
- $441.30
- Gas car, 12,000 miles a year
- $1,680.00
- Savings per year
- $1,238.70
- Prices used
- electricity 14.7¢/kWh · gasoline $4.20/gal (Washington)
Estimate. Formula and sources are under “How it works”. Change any input; the result updates as you type.
Worked example
Worked example: Model 3 RWD vs a 30 mpg car in Washington
At 14.7¢/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 $0.037. A 30 mpg car at $4.20/gal spends $0.140 a mile. Over 12,000 miles: $441.30 for the EV, $1,680.00 for gasoline, a difference of $1,238.70 a year (fuel only). A gas car would need about 114 mpg to match the EV's cost per mile in Washington.
Questions
FAQ
Is charging an EV cheaper than gas in Washington?
At Washington's average prices, yes for the page's example: $0.037 a mile for a Model 3 RWD at home against $0.140 for a 30 mpg car, $1,238.70 a year over 12,000 miles. The EV would lose its fuel-cost edge only above about 56.0¢/kWh, or against a gas car rated above 114 mpg. Both prices are editable above.
What about public fast charging in Washington?
Fast chargers usually charge more per kWh than a home rate. This page uses Washington's home average, 14.7¢/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 $4.20/gal.
How do time-of-use rates change this in Washington?
The EV's cost per mile moves in direct proportion to the rate you charge at. If an overnight rate were half of 14.7¢/kWh (7.4¢/kWh), the Model 3 RWD would cost $0.018 a mile instead of $0.037. 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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