Iowa

Why is it like this in Iowa?

Iowa's electricity rate of about 13.5¢/kWh gives PHEV drivers a clear per-mile cost advantage over gasoline — even with some of the cheapest pump prices in the Midwest. Electricity prices are rising at more than twice the rate of overall inflation, and MidAmerican Energy is phasing in a three-year rate increase. Iowa's low starting rate provides a substantial buffer — electricity is clearly the cheaper per-mile option at the January 2026 baseline. The gap is narrowing with MidAmerican's rate increases, but Iowa would need significant further hikes before approaching gas-wins territory.

In the news · Iowa

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  Electricity prices are climbing more than twice as fast as inflation

  Iowa Public Radio · Aug 16, 2025

  National and Iowa electricity costs are rising at more than twice the rate of overall inflation, driven by natural gas fuel costs and soaring data-center demand — context for why Iowa PHEV owners may find the gas-vs-electric cost calculus shifting.

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  28 more EV charging stations coming to Iowa's interstates

  The Gazette (Cedar Rapids) · Oct 11, 2024

  Iowa DOT awarded $16.2 million in NEVI federal funds to install 28 DC fast-charging stations along I-80, I-380, I-29, and I-35 — expanding the infrastructure that enables Iowa PHEV drivers to use electric mode on longer trips.

• MidAmerican Energy customers rattled by electric rate hike

  Business Record (Des Moines) · Jan 9, 2024

  MidAmerican Energy began phasing in a $135.6 million three-year electric rate increase, directly raising the cost of charging PHEVs in central Iowa.

Curated coverage of Iowa's EV/PHEV cost, policy, and infrastructure story. External links open in a new tab.

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