California EV vs gas · Gas October 12, 2026 · Electricity rates 2025
Yes, by a lot. On San José Clean Energy's average rate with PG&E delivery, charging an EV costs the same per mile as gas at $3.12 a gallon. Gas in the San Jose area averaged $6.28 on October 12, 2026, so 1,000 miles a month costs about $116 to charge versus $232 in gas: roughly $117 a month back.
Your electric utility sets what charging costs, so here are the numbers for each one serving San Jose.
Serves most San Jose homes, which get their power from San José Clean Energy and delivery from PG&E
Average home rate 38.6 cents per kWh (PG&E delivery plus San José Clean Energy power, 2025). Charging costs the same per mile as gas at $3.12 a gallon: about $116 for 1,000 miles versus $232 in gas.
PG&E still delivers the power. Its EV programs are on the PG&E card; ask PG&E whether they cover San José Clean Energy customers.
Serves homes that buy their power straight from PG&E
Average home rate 37.5 cents per kWh (2025). Charging costs the same per mile as gas at $3.04 a gallon: about $113 for 1,000 miles versus $232 in gas.
Santa Clara runs its own utility (Silicon Valley Power), and many other South Bay cities buy power through Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Gas prices jumped in 2026 when the war with Iran disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Home electricity is priced by utilities under state regulators and moves far more slowly, so the gap tends to widen when gas spikes. For a 27 mpg car to cost less per mile than charging at home in San Jose, gas would have to fall below $3.12 a gallon.
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California charges EV owners an extra $121/yr at registration. Even after that, charging on San José Clean Energy leaves about $1,280 a year in your favor at 12,000 miles.
MyFirstEV takes $3,500 off your first new EV at the dealer, no income cap, but Tesla's pot is gone. Used-EV rebates up to $4,000. Budget a $121/yr EV fee.
California EV incentives · EV fees by state
We assume 1,000 miles a month, a typical new EV that uses 30 kWh per 100 miles, a 27 mpg gas car, and home charging at each utility's average residential rate, which includes its fixed monthly charges. An overnight or EV rate is often cheaper than that average, and public fast charging costs much more. Treat this as the honest average, not your bill.
Sources: EIA Form 861, 2025 (each utility’s residential revenue divided by residential sales), AAA metro gas price averages (regular unleaded), October 12, 2026
Use the savings calculator or see which EVs fit how you drive.
Yes. Charging at home on San José Clean Energy (38.6 cents per kWh, PG&E delivery plus San José Clean Energy power, 2025) costs about $116 per 1,000 miles. The same miles in a 27 mpg car cost about $232 at the $6.28 San Jose gas average on October 12, 2026. California's $121/yr EV fee still leaves about $1,280 a year in your favor.
About $3.04 to $3.12 a gallon, depending on your utility: $3.12 on San José Clean Energy and $3.04 on PG&E. That is what a 27 mpg car would need to pay to match the cost per mile of charging at home.
At home, about $116 per 1,000 miles on San José Clean Energy (38.6 cents per kWh) or $113 per 1,000 miles on PG&E (37.5 cents per kWh), for a typical EV that uses 30 kWh per 100 miles. Public fast charging costs much more per kWh than home charging, so these numbers assume you charge at home most of the time.
California has state EV money open right now (see the California guide), and utilities here add their own: PG&E: Pre-Owned EV Rebate ($1,000 to $4,000); PG&E Residential EV Charging Rebate: standard covers up to 50% of an eligible charger after installation (up to $2,500). Check the utility's page before you buy; programs fill up and change.
Thinking of buying? Run any dealer quote through the free Deal-Checker before you sign.