Electricity rates in New Jersey 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.

New Jersey sits at 24.95¢ per kWh on a scale running from 13.11¢ in Nevada to 52.72¢ in Hawaii.

Households in New Jersey pay an average of 24.95¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a national average of 19.42¢. That is 28% above the U.S. figure, and it moved up 0.3% from 24.88¢ a year earlier.

EV registration fees in New Jersey

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

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Registration Fee

Beginning July 1, 2024, ZEV owners must pay an annual registration fee of $250 in addition to standard registration fees. ZEV fees increase by $10 every year until 2028. The fees will contribute to the Transportation Trust Fund Account -- Subaccount for Capital Reserves to support transportation projects. (Reference New Jersey Statutes 27:1B-20 and 39:3-8.5)

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

Annual home-charging cost in New Jersey, by car

At 24.95¢/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 New Jersey

How much is electricity in New Jersey?

Households in New Jersey pay an average of 24.95¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a U.S. average of 19.42¢. That is 28% above the national figure, making it the 9th most expensive of 51 including DC. Prices moved up 0.3% over the past year, from 24.88¢.

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

At 24.95¢ per kWh and 12,000 miles a year, home charging runs from $691 a year for the most efficient car on sale (the Lucid Air Pure) to $1,979 for the least efficient (the GMC Hummer EV SUV 2M20). Public DC fast charging costs substantially more per kWh than charging at home.

Does New Jersey charge an EV registration fee?

Yes. New Jersey charges an annual fee on electric vehicles of $250, 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 New Jersey a cheap place to run an electric car?

On electricity price alone, no. Charging a typical EV for a year costs $1,062 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.