Charging an EV at home in Canada typically costs roughly $2 to $6 per 100 km, depending on your province's electricity rates. That's well below the $10–$15 a typical gas car spends on fuel for the same distance. Quebec and Manitoba are usually the cheapest places to charge. Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Maritimes cost more, and the territories cost the most. Public fast charging costs more than home charging everywhere.
Key takeaways
- Home charging is the cheapest option in every province, often a quarter to a half of what gasoline costs per kilometre.
- Quebec and Manitoba have the lowest residential rates. Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have the highest.
- Time-of-use or overnight plans, like Ontario's ultra-low overnight rate, can cut costs sharply.
- Public DC fast charging often costs several times more per kWh than charging at home.
- All figures below are approximate. Rates change and delivery charges vary by utility.
How we estimate the cost
The math is simple:
Cost per 100 km = electricity used per 100 km (kWh) × your all-in price per kWh
Most EVs use roughly 15–20 kWh per 100 km in mixed driving. Add some charging losses and winter use, and 20 kWh per 100 km is a fair year-round planning number. Smaller EVs will do better. Large trucks and SUVs will use more (see our post on electric pickups and SUVs).
The "all-in" price matters. Your bill includes energy, delivery, regulatory and fixed charges. Many published rates show only the energy portion, which understates the real cost in some provinces.
Approximate home charging cost by province and territory
| Province / territory | Approx. all-in residential rate | Approx. cost per 100 km (at 20 kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 8–11¢/kWh | $1.60–$2.20 |
| Manitoba | 10–13¢/kWh | $2.00–$2.60 |
| British Columbia | 11–18¢/kWh (tiered) | $2.20–$3.60 |
| Ontario | 10–18¢/kWh (lower on overnight plans) | $1.50–$3.60 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 14–17¢/kWh | $2.80–$3.40 |
| New Brunswick | 14–18¢/kWh | $2.80–$3.60 |
| Prince Edward Island | 17–20¢/kWh | $3.40–$4.00 |
| Nova Scotia | 18–22¢/kWh | $3.60–$4.40 |
| Saskatchewan | 18–22¢/kWh | $3.60–$4.40 |
| Alberta | 20–30¢/kWh (varies by retailer and month) | $4.00–$6.00 |
| Yukon | 17–22¢/kWh | $3.40–$4.40 |
| Northwest Territories | 30–40¢/kWh or more | $6.00–$8.00+ |
| Nunavut | Highest in Canada (subsidised rates vary) | Often $8+ |
Approximate ranges including typical delivery charges, before taxes. Your actual cost depends on your utility, plan and usage. For comparison, a gas car using about 8 L/100 km at $1.40–$1.70 per litre spends roughly $11–$14 per 100 km.
For local programs and rate details, see the province guides, such as the Ontario guide.
Province notes worth knowing
Ontario's ultra-low overnight rate
Ontario households can choose between tiered, time-of-use and Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) pricing. With prices set in November 2025, the ULO overnight energy price was 3.9¢/kWh from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The on-peak price, weekdays 4–9 p.m., is much higher. Delivery charges come on top. If you can schedule nearly all your charging overnight and shift other big loads away from peak, ULO can make EV charging very cheap. Check the Ontario Energy Board's current prices, since they are reset regularly.
Alberta's deregulated market
Alberta's energy prices depend on whether you're on a regulated rate or a retailer contract. Delivery and transmission charges are a big share of the bill. Your all-in cost per kWh can be much higher than the advertised energy rate.
BC's two-step rates
BC Hydro charges a higher price for electricity above a set threshold in each billing period. EV charging can push some households into the higher step, especially in winter with electric heat.
The territories
Many northern communities rely on diesel generation, which makes electricity expensive. Residential subsidies lower what households pay up to a certain amount of use, but EV charging can push bills past subsidised levels.
Public charging costs
Public charging prices vary by network and location:
- Level 2 public chargers: often free, or priced per hour or per kWh, commonly in the range of $1–$3 per hour
- DC fast chargers: commonly priced per kWh or per minute. It often works out to $5–$12 per 100 km. That's more than home charging but often still less than gasoline.
Find stations and compare networks on our EV charging map.
How to lower your charging costs
- Charge at home whenever possible. It's the biggest single saving.
- Use off-peak or overnight rates. Schedule charging in your car's app or your charger's settings.
- Avoid daily DC fast charging unless you have no other option.
- Drive efficiently. Moderate highway speeds and preconditioning while plugged in in winter save real money.
- Consider solar. Pairing panels with your EV can offset charging costs over time. See charging your EV with solar panels.
Frequently asked questions
How much will my electricity bill go up with an EV?
Driving 15,000 km a year at about 20 kWh per 100 km uses roughly 3,000 kWh. At 10–25¢ per kWh, that's roughly $300–$750 a year, or about $25–$65 a month, depending on your province and plan.
Is it cheaper to charge an EV than to fill up with gas?
In almost every part of Canada, yes, especially when you charge at home. The gap is biggest in low-rate provinces like Quebec and Manitoba, and on overnight rate plans.
Do I need a special rate plan for EV charging?
No, but it can help. Time-of-use or overnight plans reward charging during low-demand hours. Check whether your utility offers one, and whether it suits your household's other habits.
The bottom line
Wherever you live in Canada, charging an EV at home is almost always cheaper than buying gasoline, and much cheaper with an overnight plan. Know your all-in rate, schedule charging off-peak and treat fast charging as a road-trip tool. For more ways to cut household energy costs, explore our home energy guide.
Sundamentals is an independent, non-profit education platform. Program details and prices change often — check current programs for your address in our rebate finder.