EV Charging Costs Stay High as Gas Prices Fall

  • October 14, 2025

EV drivers worry public charging stations are unsafe. This change would help.

EV Drivers Feel the Pinch as Electricity Prices Hold Steady

Gasoline prices across Oklahoma and the nation have dropped in recent weeks — but the same relief hasn’t reached electric vehicle owners. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average cost to charge an EV at a public station remains 36 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), unchanged for months.

For Oklahomans who drive electric, that means powering up their vehicles still costs roughly the same as it did this summer, even as gas prices fell below $3 per gallon in many areas.

“Drivers are noticing that while gasoline fluctuates almost weekly, the price for public charging tends to stay flat,” said AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross. “That stability can be good or bad depending on which side of the price curve you’re on.”

The Most and Least Expensive States to Charge

AAA’s new report reveals a wide range in charging costs across the country. The most expensive states for public EV charging include:

  1. West Virginia – 53 cents

  2. Alaska – 50 cents

  3. Hawaii – 46 cents

  4. South Carolina – 44 cents

  5. Alabama, New Hampshire, Arkansas – 43 cents each

  6. Louisiana, Montana, Wisconsin – 42 cents each

Meanwhile, the cheapest states for public charging are:

  1. Kansas – 26 cents

  2. Missouri – 27 cents

  3. Maryland, Nebraska, Utah – 28 cents each

  4. Delaware, Vermont, North Carolina – 32 cents each

  5. Iowa, Colorado – 33 cents each

Oklahoma currently sits near the national average, offering rates between 33 and 36 cents per kWh, depending on the provider.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV on a Road Trip?

The Cost Gap Between Gas and Electric

While EV owners enjoy lower maintenance costs, the price gap between gas and electric fueling remains narrow for those without home chargers. A driver using a public charging station exclusively could spend $40 to $45 to “fill up” a 75 kWh battery, close to what many Oklahomans pay for a tank of gas.

Experts say infrastructure and demand are key factors. “Public charging stations rely on commercial electricity rates, which are often higher than residential rates,” explained energy analyst Laura Kennedy. “Until more competition and renewable supply enter the grid, prices will stay firm.”

As Oklahoma expands its EV charging network along I-35, I-40, and I-44 corridors, state officials hope increased access may eventually drive prices down.

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Jerry Bohnen