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Electricity

Electric vehicles charging

Electricity is an alternative fuel that can be used to power all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Powering vehicles with electricity can be cost-effective and can have significant energy security and emissions benefits.

Costs

It's typically cheaper to fuel a vehicle with electricity than gasoline or diesel. However, the vehicles are typically more expensive than their gasoline counterparts.

Federal tax credits of up to $7,500 are available for qualifying new and used plug-in vehicles to help offset these costs. State and local incentives are also available.

Annual fuel cost information on our site can help you determine whether a plug-in vehicle can save you money.

Availability (Charging)

The U.S. has an extensive electrical grid, and plug-in vehicles owners can re-charge their vehicles at home, work, or any of over 54,700 public charging stations across the country. The Department of Transportation is also establishing alternative fuel corridors along stretches of the U.S. highway system.

Visit Charging Your Plug-in Electric Car for more information about charging options.

Production

U.S. Electricity Production by Source, 2016: Coal 23%, Natural Gas 38%, Nuclear 20%, Renewables 17%, Other 1%

Renewables include hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal.

Source: EIA. Electric Power Monthly: Data for February 2023. Table 1.1. April 2023.

In the U.S., electricity is produced almost entirely from domestic resources. About two thirds is generated from fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. The rest is generated by nuclear power and renewables such as hydropower, solar, and wind.

Emissions

Powering a vehicle with electricity causes no tailpipe emissions, but pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs) may be emitted by the power plants that produce the electricity.

Generating electricity from fossil fuels produces more air pollutants and GHGs than generating it from nuclear, hydro-electric, wind, or solar power.

Our Beyond Tailpipe Emissions calculator can help you determine how much pollution and GHGs an electric-powered vehicle would emit in your area.

Many consumers that live in areas where the electricity is produced primarily from fossil fuels can still purchase Green Power to decrease their vehicle's impact on the environment.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Electricity
Advantages Disadvantages
  • Produced almost entirely from domestic resources
  • Typically more cost-efficient and prices more stable than gasoline
  • Vehicles can be charged at home
  • Availability of public charging stations growing rapidly
  • Electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines
  • Federal tax incentives available for plug-in vehicles; state and local incentives available in some areas
  • Consumers can purchase Green Power in many parts of U.S.
  • Less environmental advantages in areas where electricity is produced from fossil fuels
  • Vehicles are typically more expensive
  • Vehicle range is typically shorter than for gasoline and diesel vehicles
  • Re-charging takes significantly longer than re-fueling with other fuels

More Information

Electricity

Electricity Explained: Electricity in the United States (EIA)

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Locations

Department of Transportation Alternative Fuel Corridors

This website is administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. DOE and the U.S. EPA.