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Total cost to drive electric in Chicago, IL
Short answer: At Illinois's average 19.32¢/kWh, charging at home costs about $596/yr for a small car, $680 for an SUV and $1,053 for a pickup. Add a $749–$2,500 Level 2 install. 5-year total for an SUV: $4,151–$5,902.
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Yearly home-charging cost by vehicle class
| Class | Example model (EPA) | kWh/100 mi | Miles/yr | Charging/yr | 5-yr total incl. install |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car | 2026 Nissan LEAF 75 kWh (18-inch steel wheels) | 28 | 11,026 | $596 11,026 mi × 28 kWh/100 mi ÷ 100 = 3,087 kWh; × 19.32¢ = $596/yr | $3,731–$5,482 $749–$2,500 install + 5 × $596 = $3,731–$5,482 |
| SUV | 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD | 31 | 11,360 | $680 11,360 mi × 31 kWh/100 mi ÷ 100 = 3,522 kWh; × 19.32¢ = $680/yr | $4,151–$5,902 $749–$2,500 install + 5 × $680 = $4,151–$5,902 |
| Pickup truck | 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Extended Range WT | 48 | 11,360 | $1,053 11,360 mi × 48 kWh/100 mi ÷ 100 = 5,453 kWh; × 19.32¢ = $1,053/yr | $6,016–$7,767 $749–$2,500 install + 5 × $1,053 = $6,016–$7,767 |
The math assumes 100% home charging at the state average residential price, with no charging losses, rate changes, discounting or time-of-use plan. It excludes the vehicle price, insurance and maintenance (data pending). Miles: car 11,026 for the small car; light truck/van 11,360 for the SUV and pickup. Sources: U.S. DOE/EPA fueleconomy.gov – vehicle records (combined kWh/100 mi); U.S. DOE AFDC – Average Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled by Major Vehicle Category (AFDC cites FHWA Highway Statistics, Table VM-1); EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (residential, August 2026, preliminary; released Oct 23, 2026); Qmerit – How much does Level 2 EV charger installation cost? (national, accessed 2026-10-25) (accessed 2026-10-25).
Install: no verified Chicago rebate deducted. The verified rebate has no single dollar maximum we can subtract (or it is $0).
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Last updated: Oct 25, 2026.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Chicago?
About $596/yr (small car) to $1,053/yr (pickup) at 19.32¢/kWh, the EIA Illinois residential average.
Where do the efficiency numbers come from?
fueleconomy.gov combined kWh/100 mi for the 2026 Nissan LEAF 75 kWh (28), Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD (31) and Silverado EV Extended Range WT (48).
How many miles a year are assumed?
11,026 for cars and 11,360 for light trucks/vans, from the DOE AFDC (citing FHWA).