Gas vs Electric Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How much cheaper is an EV to fuel?

Often 50–75% less per mile. A 30 MPG car at $3.50/gal costs ~12¢/mi; an EV at 3.5 mi/kWh and $0.15/kWh costs ~4¢/mi. The calculator computes annual and 5-year cost and cost per mile for both from your numbers.

What is mi/kWh or kWh/100mi?

EV efficiency. 3–4 mi/kWh is typical (lower in cold or at high speed). kWh/100mi is the inverse the EPA uses; the tool accepts either.

Does this include the EV price premium?

Only if you enter it - then it shows a fuel-savings break-even in years. It does not model maintenance (usually lower for EVs), tax credits, or battery degradation.

What raises real EV running cost?

Public DC fast charging (can be 2–4× home rates), cold-weather range loss, and high local electricity prices. Home charging overnight is where the savings are largest.

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Estimates for informational purposes only.

Important Disclaimer: Estimates for informational purposes only.

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on assumptions and may not reflect actual outcomes. Consult qualified professionals in relevant fields before making important decisions based on these results.

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How This Calculator Works

Fuel cost for a gas car is (annual miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon. For an electric vehicle it is (annual miles ÷ efficiency in miles per kWh) × price per kWh. Subtracting the EV energy cost from the gasoline cost yields annual savings, which this tool projects over five years. If you enter the EV's price premium over a comparable gas model, the calculator also returns a simple payback period: premium ÷ annual savings.

Worked Example

Driving 12,000 miles a year in a 28 MPG car at $3.50/gal costs (12,000 ÷ 28) × 3.50 = $1,500. An EV doing 3.5 mi/kWh at $0.16/kWh costs (12,000 ÷ 3.5) × 0.16 ≈ $549. Annual savings ≈ $951, or about $4,755 over five years. The gas car costs ~12.5¢/mile to fuel versus ~4.6¢/mile for the EV. If the EV cost $6,000 more up front, payback is roughly 6,000 ÷ 951 ≈ 6.3 years on fuel alone.

Real-World Use

This is the core question for anyone weighing an EV: home charging on a residential rate is dramatically cheaper per mile than gasoline, and the gap widens for high-mileage drivers and in regions with expensive gas or cheap off-peak electricity. Use it to sanity-check dealer "you'll save thousands" claims with your own driving and local prices, and to compare two specific models rather than national averages.

Common Mistakes

The biggest error is using public DC fast-charging prices (often $0.40–$0.60/kWh) as if you charged that way every day - most EV owners charge at home for far less. Conversely, apartment dwellers without home charging may genuinely face fast-charger pricing, erasing much of the advantage. Also remember EV efficiency drops in cold weather and at highway speed, and gas MPG is lower in city driving than the window sticker suggests. Use realistic, blended figures.

Limitations & Related Tools

This compares energy cost only. A full ownership comparison should also weigh purchase price, tax credits, insurance, maintenance (EVs typically lower - no oil changes, less brake wear), battery-replacement risk, and resale value. The break-even here ignores the time value of money and any incentives. Pair with a cost-per-mile or depreciation calculator to build the complete total-cost-of-ownership picture before deciding between a gas car and an EV.

Gas vs Electric Cost Calculator

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