Electricity rates in Virginia 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.

Virginia sits at 17.22¢ per kWh on a scale running from 13.11¢ in Nevada to 52.72¢ in Hawaii.

Households in Virginia pay an average of 17.22¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a national average of 19.42¢. That is 11% below the U.S. figure, and it moved up 13.1% from 15.23¢ a year earlier.

EV registration fees in Virginia

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

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Fee

AFV owners must pay an annual highway fee or a per-mile road use fee. These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees. For more information, including the current fee amount, see the Virginia Department of Transportation Highway Use Fee website. (Reference Virginia Code 46.2-770 through 46.2-773)

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

Annual home-charging cost in Virginia, by car

At 17.22¢/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 Virginia

How much is electricity in Virginia?

Households in Virginia pay an average of 17.22¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a U.S. average of 19.42¢. That is 11% below the national figure, making it the 22nd most expensive of 51 including DC. Prices moved up 13.1% over the past year, from 15.23¢.

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

At 17.22¢ per kWh and 12,000 miles a year, home charging runs from $477 a year for the most efficient car on sale (the Lucid Air Pure) to $1,366 for the least efficient (the GMC Hummer EV SUV 2M20). Public DC fast charging costs substantially more per kWh than charging at home.

Does Virginia charge an EV registration fee?

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

Is Virginia a cheap place to run an electric car?

On electricity price alone, yes. Charging a typical EV for a year costs $733 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.