Virginia EV vs gas · Gas October 12, 2026 · Electricity rates 2025

Is an EV cheaper than gas in Richmond?

Yes, by a lot. On Dominion Energy Virginia's average home rate, charging an EV costs the same per mile as gas at $1.23 a gallon. Gas in the Richmond-Petersburg area averaged $4.14 on October 12, 2026, so 1,000 miles a month costs about $46 to charge versus $153 in gas: roughly $108 a month back.

Charging equals gas at: $1.23 a gallon (on Dominion Energy Virginia)
Gas, regular: $4.14 per gallon (AAA, October 12, 2026)
EV, 1,000 miles: $46 (at 15.2 cents per kWh)
Gas car, 1,000 miles: $153 (27 mpg)

Where Richmond gets its power

What you pay for power sets what charging costs. Here are the numbers for Richmond.

Dominion Energy Virginia

Serves Richmond and most of central Virginia

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 $153 in gas.

Dominion Energy, $40/yr + $125 (enrollment closed), paused right now: EV Charger Rewards (managed charging on a qualifying Wi-Fi Level 2 charger: $40 a year after each enrollment anniversary, plus a $125 rebate on a newly bought charger if you apply within 60 days): the program page now says enrollment is closed, with an interest form to be told when it reopens. Not combinable with a time-of-use rate such as the Off-Peak Plan. Separately, Dominion installs and maintains a Level 2 charger for $40.27/month over 5 years ($1,835.96 upfront); the free income-qualified version is fully subscribed. Details

Some outlying areas are served by an electric co-op instead.

Why this holds up when gas spikes

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 Richmond, gas would have to fall below $1.23 a gallon.

Why an EV opts you out of gas spikes · Is an EV cheaper than gas right now? Every state

Virginia rules that apply in Richmond

Virginia charges EV owners an extra $135.63/yr at registration. Even after that, charging on Dominion Energy Virginia leaves about $1,158 a year in your favor at 12,000 miles.

Virginia's EV rebate law was never funded and expires Jan 1, 2027. Dominion's $40/yr managed-charging reward is closed to new sign-ups. EV road fee: $135.63/yr.

Virginia EV incentives · EV fees by state

How we calculated it

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

Now run it with your own numbers

Use the savings calculator or see which EVs fit how you drive.

Questions people ask

Is an EV cheaper than gas in Richmond?

Yes. Charging at home on Dominion Energy Virginia (15.2 cents per kWh, 2025) costs about $46 per 1,000 miles. The same miles in a 27 mpg car cost about $153 at the $4.14 Richmond gas average on October 12, 2026. Virginia's $135.63/yr EV fee still leaves about $1,158 a year in your favor.

How low would gas have to go to beat an EV in Richmond?

About $1.23 a gallon. That is what a 27 mpg car would need to pay to match the cost per mile of charging at home on Dominion Energy Virginia.

How much does it cost to charge an EV in Richmond?

At home, about $46 per 1,000 miles on Dominion Energy Virginia (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.

Are there EV rebates in Richmond?

Virginia has no state EV purchase rebate right now, and the utility EV money here is not taking new applications right now: Dominion Energy: EV Charger Rewards, $40/yr + $125 (enrollment closed). Check the utility's page for when it reopens.

Other cities

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