Electric cars & bikes
Thinking about an electric car? Start with what you drive and where you'd charge.
Most people deciding on an electric car are really asking three things: will it fit how I drive, can I charge it at home, and what will it cost me compared with gas. The tools below answer each one with your state's electricity and gas prices and the EPA's efficiency ratings, not national averages dressed up as your number.
If you can't charge at home, a plug-in hybrid or a regular hybrid may be the better fit, and the picker says so. If most of your trips are short, an e-bike may do them for far less than any car.
Choose a car
Match a car to your budget, body style and commute, and see whether full electric or a plug-in hybrid suits you.
Charge at home
What charging costs, which charger you need, and what an electrician will charge to put it in.
- CalculatorCost to charge at homeYour state's price per charge and per mile against gas, for every 2026 EV
- PickerWhich charger do I need?Plug type, amps, plug-in or hardwired, in five questions
- ComparisonBest home EV chargersLevel 2 chargers compared on price, speed and plug, with dated prices
- CalculatorCharger installation costAverage install cost in your state and what adds to the bill
E-bikes for short trips
For commutes and errands a car is overkill for. Specs read from each maker's own site.
- HubE-bike guideHow to choose one, cost per mile, and 2026 state rebates
- ComparisonCommuter e-bike under $1,500Racks, lights and fenders included
- ComparisonE-bike for hillsTorque, mid-drives and torque sensors
- ComparisonE-bike for heavy ridersBikes rated for 400 lb and up
- ComparisonFolding e-bikeFor apartments, RVs and car trunks
Questions people ask
- How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
At the US average home electricity price of 18.2 cents per kWh (EIA, January–July 2026), driving 1,000 miles a month costs about $44 in a Tesla Model 3 Standard RWD, $57 in a Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD and $87 in a Chevrolet Silverado EV Ext Range WT pickup. Full answer
- Is charging an EV at home cheaper than buying gas?
Yes, in every state. At national averages, 1,000 miles costs about $57 of electricity in a Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD against about $170 of gasoline in a 25.5 mpg car at $4.33 a gallon (EIA, week of October 12, 2026). Full answer
- Do I need a Level 2 charger, or is a regular outlet enough?
A regular 120-volt outlet may be enough. The Department of Energy says Level 1 adds about 5 miles of range per hour, about 40 miles in 8 hours, and that many drivers meet their daily needs charging overnight that way, if there is an outlet on a dedicated circuit near where they park. Full answer
- What size breaker and how many amps do I need for a home EV charger?
The circuit must be rated for 125% of what the charger draws, because EV charging is a continuous load under the National Electrical Code. Full answer
- Should I use a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire my EV charger?
On a 50-amp NEMA 14-50 outlet the 125% rule caps charging at 40 amps, so faster chargers are hardwired. Full answer
- Can I charge my EV from my dryer outlet?
Only at a reduced rate. If your dryer outlet is on a 30-amp circuit (check the breaker), the 125% rule for continuous loads limits charging to 24 amps, which ChargePoint estimates adds about 18 miles of range an hour. Full answer
- Can I install a home EV charger myself, and do I need a permit?
If you already have a suitable 240-volt outlet, a plug-in charger simply plugs in. Full answer
- Is there a federal tax credit for an EV in 2026?
Answered in: Tax credit answer
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Photo: Zaptec on Unsplash (Unsplash License).