EV vs Gas Savings Calculator
Cost per mile, yearly fuel savings, and the 5-year total, electric next to gasoline.
For most US drivers, an EV costs about 4–5¢ per mile to charge at home versus roughly 11¢ per mile for a 28-mpg gas car at $3.20/gallon. A typical driver saves around $800 a year on fuel, and about $4,000–$6,000 over five years once lower maintenance is counted.
This EV vs gas calculator compares the two on the numbers that actually move your budget: fuel cost per mile, annual fuel savings, and the five-year total once maintenance and any purchase-price gap are included.
Electric fuel is cheaper per mile in nearly every state; the tie-breaker for total cost of ownership is the sticker-price difference and how many miles you drive. Enter your own figures below to see where the lines cross.
How we calculate this
We price the same annual miles two ways, electricity at your rate and efficiency, gasoline at your mpg and pump price, then add a maintenance difference and any purchase-price gap to reach a five-year total.
What affects your cost
Your electricity rate
Cheap power widens the gap; 30¢+/kWh shrinks it. Above roughly 40¢/kWh with cheap gas, the fuel advantage can disappear, run your numbers.
How many miles you drive
Fuel savings scale with mileage. A 20,000-mile-a-year driver saves far more than a 6,000-mile one, and breaks even on a higher sticker price faster.
Maintenance
EVs skip oil changes and spare brake pads through regenerative braking, studies put maintenance roughly 40% lower, though tires can cost more.
Purchase-price gap
If the EV costs more upfront, divide that gap by your annual savings to find the break-even year. Tax credits, where they apply, shorten it.
Common questions
Is an electric car really cheaper than a gas car?+−
On fuel, yes for most US drivers: charging at home (about 16.5¢/kWh) costs roughly 4–5¢ per mile versus 11¢ per mile for gas at $3.20/gallon and 28 mpg. Total savings depend on your annual miles and the purchase-price difference.
How much can I save per year with an EV instead of gas?+−
A typical US driver going 12,000 miles a year saves around $800 in fuel alone by charging at home, before counting lower maintenance. Heavy drivers save more; high electricity rates shrink the gap.
What is the cost per mile to drive electric vs gas?+−
Home charging usually runs 4–5¢ per mile (16.5¢/kWh, ~3.5 mi/kWh). Gas runs about 11¢ per mile at $3.20/gallon and 28 mpg. So electric fuel costs roughly one-third of gas per mile.
How many miles until an EV breaks even with a gas car?+−
If the EV costs more upfront, divide the price difference by your annual fuel-plus-maintenance savings. Saving $1,200 a year on a $6,000 gap means break-even in about five years, or 60,000 miles.
Do electric cars have lower maintenance costs?+−
Yes. EVs have no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regenerative braking that spares brake pads. Studies put EV maintenance roughly 40% lower over the life of the car, though tires can cost more.
Does an EV still save money if I pay high electricity rates?+−
At 30+¢/kWh the fuel savings shrink but usually still beat gas at $3.20/gallon. Above roughly 40¢/kWh with cheap gas, the fuel advantage can disappear, enter your own rates to check.
Are EVs cheaper to own than gas cars overall?+−
Over five to seven years most EVs come out cheaper thanks to fuel and maintenance savings. The main risks are a higher purchase price and faster depreciation on some models, which is why total cost of ownership, not just fuel, is the number to compare.
Fuel costs use your electricity rate and gas price. Maintenance difference defaults to roughly $330/year lower for the EV, in line with published fleet data; adjust it to your own. Purchase-price gap and depreciation are yours to enter. Estimates only, this compares fuel and maintenance, not insurance or financing. Full methodology →