Oregon EV vs gas · Gas October 12, 2026 · Electricity rates 2025
Yes, by a lot. On Portland General Electric's average home rate, charging an EV costs the same per mile as gas at $1.52 a gallon. Gas in the Portland area (Oregon side) averaged $5.05 on October 12, 2026, so 1,000 miles a month costs about $56 to charge versus $187 in gas: roughly $131 a month back.
Your electric utility sets what charging costs, so here are the numbers for each one serving Portland.
Serves most of Portland
Average home rate 18.8 cents per kWh (2025). Charging costs the same per mile as gas at $1.52 a gallon: about $56 for 1,000 miles versus $187 in gas.
Serves some Portland neighborhoods
Average home rate 15.2 cents per kWh (2025). Charging costs the same per mile as gas at $1.23 a gallon: about $46 for 1,000 miles versus $187 in gas.
Your power bill says which one you have.
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 Portland, gas would have to fall below $1.52 a gallon.
Why an EV opts you out of gas spikes · Is an EV cheaper than gas right now? Every state
Oregon charges EV owners an extra $188/yr ($376 per 2 years) at registration. Even after that, charging on Portland General Electric leaves about $1,382 a year in your favor at 12,000 miles.
Oregon's EV rebates reopened for cars bought Aug 25 to Nov 4, 2026: $2,000 standard, up to $7,500 income-qualified. EV registration is $376 per 2 years.
Oregon 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 Portland General Electric (18.8 cents per kWh, 2025) costs about $56 per 1,000 miles. The same miles in a 27 mpg car cost about $187 at the $5.05 Portland gas average on October 12, 2026. Oregon's $188/yr ($376 per 2 years) EV fee still leaves about $1,382 a year in your favor.
About $1.23 to $1.52 a gallon, depending on your utility: $1.52 on Portland General Electric and $1.23 on Pacific Power. That is what a 27 mpg car would need to pay to match the cost per mile of charging at home.
At home, about $56 per 1,000 miles on Portland General Electric (18.8 cents per kWh) or $46 per 1,000 miles on Pacific Power (15.2 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.
Oregon has state EV money open right now (see the Oregon guide), and utilities here add their own: Portland General Electric Smart Charging: L2 charger rebate $300 (up to $1,300+); Pacific Power, income-qualified (up to $1,500). 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.