Gas vs EV Cost Calculator
Compare the yearly fuel cost of a gas car against an electric car and see the annual savings.
How it works
Gas cost = miles ÷ MPG × gas price · EV cost = miles ÷ (mi/kWh) × (rate ¢ ÷ 100)
Both sides convert your yearly mileage into an energy bill: gallons times the pump price for gas, kilowatt-hours times your electricity rate for the EV. This compares fuel and charging only — not the purchase price, insurance, maintenance or incentives, which also differ between the two. Home charging drives most of the EV’s advantage; heavy reliance on public fast chargers shrinks it.
Worked example
At 12,000 miles a year, a 28 MPG car at $3.50 a gallon spends about $1,500 on gas. An EV getting 3.5 miles per kWh at 16¢ per kWh charges for about $549 — a saving of roughly $951 a year, or about $4,757 over five years.
Frequently asked questions
Do EVs always cost less to fuel?
At typical home electricity rates, almost always. The savings shrink where electricity is expensive or gas is cheap, and public DC fast charging can cost as much per mile as gasoline.
What about the higher purchase price?
EVs often cost more up front. To judge the full picture, weigh the yearly fuel savings shown here against the price difference and any tax credits, plus lower routine maintenance.
How is EV efficiency measured?
In miles per kWh (or the inverse, kWh per 100 miles). Most EVs land around 3–4 miles per kWh; cold weather, high speeds and heavy loads lower it, much like MPG in a gas car.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.