Tennessee EV Charging Costs (2026)

Data updated: March 5, 2026

Tennessee ranks #14 nationally for residential electricity rates at $0.13/kWh. Tennessee has an EV adoption rate of 1.9% with expanding charging access across urban and regional corridors. With 2,016 Level 2 ports and 962 DC fast ports statewide, charging infrastructure continues to expand.

Average Rate

$0.13/kWh

Rank #14 out of 50

EV Adoption

1.9%

State adoption estimate

Tennessee Electricity Rates

Current rates by utility territory, with EV program details.

$0.13/kWh

$0.05/kWh below US average

Public Level 2 (est.): $0.29/kWh ($0.25-$0.38/kWh)

Public DC fast (est.): $0.46/kWh ($0.41-$0.55/kWh)

Estimated public charging prices derived from local electricity rates. Actual prices vary by network, location, and fees.

Many utilities offer off-peak EV charging options that can lower effective charging costs.

UtilityAvg Rate
City of Memphis - (TN)$0.13/kWh
Nashville Electric Service$0.14/kWh
Knoxville Utilities Board$0.13/kWh
City of Chattanooga - (TN)$0.13/kWh

Rates updated monthly | Source: EIA and utility filings.

Tennessee EV Registration Fee

BEV: $200.00/year ($16.67/month)

PHEV: $100.00/year ($8.33/month)

Law reference: Tennessee Code 55-4-116

Source: afdc.energy.gov + ncsl.org/transportation/special-registration-fees-for-electric-and-hybrid-vehicles

Note: Scheduled to increase to $274 in 2027.

EV Charging Costs by City in Tennessee

View more Tennessee cities ->
CityAvg RateMonthly Cost EstimateAction
Memphis$0.13/kWh$34.21/monthView city page ->
Nashville$0.14/kWh$36.84/monthView city page ->
Knoxville$0.13/kWh$34.21/monthView city page ->
Chattanooga$0.13/kWh$34.21/monthView city page ->

How Tennessee Compares to Nearby States

StateRateRank
Tennessee (Current)$0.13/kWh#14
Kentucky$0.13/kWh#8
Virginia$0.15/kWh#27
North Carolina$0.13/kWh#12
Georgia$0.14/kWh#18
Alabama$0.16/kWh#29

Calculate Your Tennessee EV Charging Costs

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Home charging in Tennessee averages around $0.13/kWh. Public Level 2 sessions are estimated around $0.25-$0.38/kWh, while DC fast charging is estimated around $0.41-$0.55/kWh depending on network and membership. Final cost can also include session or idle fees.

What is the cheapest time to charge an EV in Tennessee?

Overnight off-peak windows are usually the lowest-cost charging period in Tennessee. Check your local utility TOU schedule to confirm eligible hours and price windows.

How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y in Tennessee?

Charging a Tesla Model Y from near-empty in Tennessee costs approximately $9.87 at home, $22.01 at a public Level 2 station, and $34.91 at a DC fast charger, based on EPA efficiency of 25.3 kWh/100 miles and an estimated 300-mile range.

Is home charging cheaper than public fast charging in Tennessee?

Yes - at $0.13/kWh, home charging in Tennessee costs 72% less per kWh than DC fast charging.

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Internal Resources

Data updated monthly where available.