Gas vs. electric driving costs · adjust vehicle and price period below
Why is it like this in Illinois?
Illinois's residential electricity rates of about 18.8¢/kWh sit slightly above the national average, supported by a generation mix heavy in nuclear power. Gasoline averages slightly above the national mean post-Hormuz. Electric wins on per-mile cost — a typical Midwest result similar to neighboring Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
In the news · Illinois
ComEd customers' monthly bills jumped roughly $10.60 due to soaring power demand from AI data centers and delays connecting renewable energy to the PJM grid — directly raising the per-kWh cost that makes PHEV electric-mode driving more expensive in Illinois.
ComEd bills jumped an additional ~11% in June 2025, adding to already-elevated rates and further widening the cost gap between electricity and gasoline for Illinois PHEV owners.
Illinois is leaning more heavily on natural gas as renewables come online slowly, signaling that electricity rates are unlikely to fall soon — a key structural factor for PHEV drivers deciding whether to plug in or fill up.
Curated coverage of Illinois's EV/PHEV cost, policy, and infrastructure story. External links open in a new tab.
Midwest region comparison
| State | Electric ¢/mi | Gas ¢/mi | Cheaper | Annual diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 3.3¢ | 6.6¢ | ⚡ Electric | $400/yr |
| Nebraska | 3.6¢ | 6.7¢ | ⚡ Electric | $377/yr |
| Missouri | 3.6¢ | 6.5¢ | ⚡ Electric | $350/yr |
| South Dakota | 4.1¢ | 6.8¢ | ⚡ Electric | $325/yr |
| Illinois | 5.0¢ | 7.6¢ | ⚡ Electric | $320/yr |
| Iowa | 3.9¢ | 6.5¢ | ⚡ Electric | $316/yr |
| Indiana | 4.9¢ | 7.4¢ | ⚡ Electric | $297/yr |
| Minnesota | 4.5¢ | 6.9¢ | ⚡ Electric | $285/yr |
| Kansas | 4.3¢ | 6.4¢ | ⚡ Electric | $247/yr |
| Ohio | 5.3¢ | 7.2¢ | ⚡ Electric | $224/yr |
| Michigan | 5.9¢ | 7.8¢ | ⚡ Electric | $221/yr |
| Wisconsin | 5.5¢ | 6.5¢ | ⚡ Electric | $122/yr |
