How to use this calculator
- Enter total distance and expected vehicle consumption.
- Enter wall-to-battery charging efficiency.
- Enter the applicable electricity price and all fixed fees.
- Calculate total cost and cost per mile.
#1324 · Energy & Environment Tool
EV Road Trip Energy Cost Calculator
Calculate the electricity cost of ev road trip travel or operation from distance, vehicle consumption, charging losses, electricity price, and fixed fees. The result includes grid energy purchased, total cost, and cost per mile. This makes it easier to compare charging plans, route budgets, or depot energy assumptions without treating battery energy and metered electricity as identical.
Calculator
Distance, energy, and priceFormula
Battery energy = distance × consumption ÷ 100
Grid energy = battery energy ÷ charging efficiency
Total cost = grid energy × electricity rate + fixed fees
Grid energy = battery energy ÷ charging efficiency
Total cost = grid energy × electricity rate + fixed fees
What the result means
The main result is the estimated charging expense for the entered distance, including charging losses and fixed fees.
Parking, idle fees, memberships, taxes, demand charges, and time costs are included only if you add them to the rate or fixed-fee input.
Example calculation
For 620 miles at 30 kWh/100 mi and 90% charging efficiency, grid energy is 206.7 kWh. At $0.42/kWh plus $18 in fees, total cost is $104.80.
Tips for better results
- Use a blended rate when several chargers have different prices.
- Include session, parking, and idle fees when they are expected.
- Use route-specific consumption rather than an ideal rating.
- Run separate high- and low-price charging scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
Does charging efficiency change the electricity purchased?
Yes. Battery energy is divided by charging efficiency, so losses increase grid energy and cost.
How are demand or session fees included?
Enter all fixed fees expected for the trip or operating day. They are added after the per-kWh energy charge.
Can I compare home and public charging rates?
Use the blended electricity rate based on the expected energy share at each rate, or run separate scenarios and compare totals.
Why is cost per mile different from the vehicle efficiency figure?
Cost per mile includes charging losses and fixed fees as well as the vehicle energy used per mile.
Are taxes included in the result?
Only if they are already included in the electricity rate or fixed-fee input. Add applicable taxes and surcharges to those inputs.
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Variables and units
| Input | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Distance | Enter in mi |
| Vehicle consumption | Enter in kWh/100 mi |
| Charging efficiency | Enter in % |
| Electricity rate | Enter in $/kWh |
| Fixed fees | Enter in $ |