Electricity rates in Colorado and what they mean for charging an EV

Average residential price, how it moved over the past year, the state's EV registration fee, and the annual home-charging cost of every current electric car.

Colorado sits at 17.13¢ per kWh on a scale running from 13.11¢ in Nevada to 52.72¢ in Hawaii.

Households in Colorado pay an average of 17.13¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a national average of 19.42¢. That is 12% below the U.S. figure, and it moved up 6.8% from 16.04¢ a year earlier.

EV registration fees in Colorado

Most states charge electric vehicles an extra registration fee to make up for the gasoline tax they do not pay. What Colorado currently has on the books, per the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center:

Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee

EV owners must pay an annual fee of $ 60.05 in addition to other registration fees. The Colorado Department of Revenue is authorized to adjust the registration fee for inflation each fiscal year (FY). Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are also subject to additional registration fees based on gross vehicle weight rating. Additionally, the state may collect an EV road usage equalization fee at the time of registration. Registration fees for each FY are as follows: ::: {data-align="center"} FY All-Electric Vehicle Fee Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fee ----------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------- 2024-2025 $12 $8 2025-2026 $16 $11 2026-2027 $26 $13 2027-2028 $36 $16 2028-2029 $51 $19 2029-2030 $66 $21 2030-2031 $81 $24 2031-2032 $96 $27 ::: For more information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue Taxes and Fees website. (Reference Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-304)

Most efficient, median and least efficient of the 223 electric cars on sale, charged at Colorado prices.

Annual home-charging cost in Colorado, by car

At 17.13¢/kWh and 12,000 miles a year. Sorted from most to least efficient.

States that pay about the same

Cheapest in the country: Nevada (13.11¢), Nebraska (13.25¢), Utah (13.37¢). Most expensive: Hawaii (52.72¢), California (34.74¢), Massachusetts (29.61¢). See all 51 →

Questions people ask about electricity and EVs in Colorado

How much is electricity in Colorado?

Households in Colorado pay an average of 17.13¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a U.S. average of 19.42¢. That is 12% below the national figure, making it the 23rd most expensive of 51 including DC. Prices moved up 6.8% over the past year, from 16.04¢.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Colorado?

At 17.13¢ per kWh and 12,000 miles a year, home charging runs from $475 a year for the most efficient car on sale (the Lucid Air Pure) to $1,359 for the least efficient (the GMC Hummer EV SUV 2M20). Public DC fast charging costs substantially more per kWh than charging at home.

Does Colorado charge an EV registration fee?

The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center lists no current EV-specific registration fee for Colorado. Most states have one, so this can change — check with the state DMV before registering.

Is Colorado a cheap place to run an electric car?

On electricity price alone, yes. Charging a typical EV for a year costs $729 here, compared with $827 at the national average price. Registration fees and insurance vary by state too and are not included in that figure.

Electricity price is the state-wide average residential rate from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly table 5.6.A (May 2026). Your own utility's rate — and any time-of-use plan you are on — can differ substantially. Energy use per 100 miles is derived from EPA ratings; see any car's page for the method.