Gas vs. electric driving costs · adjust vehicle and price period below
Why is it like this in North Carolina?
North Carolina currently sits in the electric-wins column at about 13.8¢/kWh, but the advantage is shrinking. Duke Energy filed rate increase requests of 11.9% and 14.1% (depending on territory) for 2027, plus a pending June 2026 fuel-cost surcharge of roughly $7/month. Analysis found that Duke Energy rate changes have added about $50/month to reference bills since 2020 — nearly a 45% increase — and the trajectory points toward parity or a gas-wins outcome within a few rate cycles.
In the news · North Carolina
Duke Energy filed for 11.9% (Carolinas) and 14.1% (Progress) residential rate hikes effective 2027 — if approved, these would sharply worsen North Carolina's already-tightening gas-versus-electric PHEV cost comparison.
A pending June 2026 Duke Energy fuel-cost surcharge of ~$6.90–$7.88/month covers $809 million in fuel and power procurement costs, further raising North Carolina electricity prices on top of the base rate case.
Analysis showing that Duke Energy rate changes alone added ~$50/month to reference bills between 2020 and 2025 (nearly 45%), establishing the structural upward trend in North Carolina electricity costs that is steadily narrowing the PHEV plug-in savings advantage.
Curated coverage of North Carolina's EV/PHEV cost, policy, and infrastructure story. External links open in a new tab.
Southeast region comparison
| State | Electric ¢/mi | Gas ¢/mi | Cheaper | Annual diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 4.5¢ | 7.5¢ | ⚡ Electric | $363/yr |
| North Carolina | 4.1¢ | 7.0¢ | ⚡ Electric | $346/yr |
| Arkansas | 3.7¢ | 6.4¢ | ⚡ Electric | $319/yr |
| Louisiana | 3.8¢ | 6.4¢ | ⚡ Electric | $313/yr |
| Tennessee | 4.0¢ | 6.6¢ | ⚡ Electric | $310/yr |
| Georgia | 4.4¢ | 6.9¢ | ⚡ Electric | $307/yr |
| Florida | 4.8¢ | 7.3¢ | ⚡ Electric | $295/yr |
| Kentucky | 4.3¢ | 6.8¢ | ⚡ Electric | $295/yr |
| Virginia | 4.8¢ | 7.3¢ | ⚡ Electric | $294/yr |
| Mississippi | 4.3¢ | 6.4¢ | ⚡ Electric | $247/yr |
| South Carolina | 4.7¢ | 6.6¢ | ⚡ Electric | $230/yr |
| Alabama | 4.9¢ | 6.5¢ | ⚡ Electric | $201/yr |