Electricity rates in Montana 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.

Montana sits at 15.14¢ per kWh on a scale running from 13.11¢ in Nevada to 52.72¢ in Hawaii.

Households in Montana pay an average of 15.14¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a national average of 19.42¢. That is 22% below the U.S. figure, and it moved up 2.2% from 14.81¢ a year earlier.

EV registration fees in Montana

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

Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Annual Fee

In addition to standard registration fees, EVs and PHEVs are subject to an annual fee. Fee amounts vary based on vehicle class (unladen gross weight): ::: {data-align="center"} Vehicle Class Annual EV Registration Fee Annual PHEV Registration Fee --------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------ Class 1: 5,999 pounds (lbs.) or below $130 $70 Class 2: 6,000 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. $190 $100 Class 3: 10,001 lbs. to 26,000 lbs. $340 $210 Class 4: Greater than 26,001 lbs. $1,100 $700 ::: The revenue from the annual fee will be apportioned to the highway restricted account. Beginning July 1, 2028, EV registration fees will be reduced by 30% for private residents. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 61-3-572 and 15-70-126)

Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Permanent Registration Fee

In addition to standard registration fees, EVs and PHEVs are subject to a one-time registration fee. Fee amounts vary based on vehicle class (unladen gross weight): ::: {data-align="center"} Vehicle Class One-Time EV Registration Fee One-Time PHEV Registration Fee --------------------------------------- ------------------------------ -------------------------------- Class 1: 5,999 pounds (lbs.) or below $260 $140 Class 2: 6,000 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. $380 $200 ::: The revenue from the annual fee will be apportioned to the highway restricted account. (Reference Montana Code Annotated 61-3-562 and 61-3-573)

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

Annual home-charging cost in Montana, by car

At 15.14¢/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 Montana

How much is electricity in Montana?

Households in Montana pay an average of 15.14¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a U.S. average of 19.42¢. That is 22% below the national figure, making it the 16th cheapest of 51 including DC. Prices moved up 2.2% over the past year, from 14.81¢.

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

At 15.14¢ per kWh and 12,000 miles a year, home charging runs from $419 a year for the most efficient car on sale (the Lucid Air Pure) to $1,201 for the least efficient (the GMC Hummer EV SUV 2M20). Public DC fast charging costs substantially more per kWh than charging at home.

Does Montana charge an EV registration fee?

Yes. Montana charges an annual fee on electric vehicles of $70 to $380, on top of normal registration, to make up for the gasoline tax an EV does not pay. The exact amount depends on the vehicle type — the statutory text is quoted in full above.

Is Montana a cheap place to run an electric car?

On electricity price alone, yes. Charging a typical EV for a year costs $645 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.