EV vs Gas Calculator — Compare Electric vs Gas Car Costs [2026]
Enter your driving habits, gas price, and electricity rate, get a side-by-side annual cost comparison for EV vs gas vehicles with 5-year savings projection. Free tool.
Annual Fuel Cost Comparison
5-Year Cost Projection
| Year | Gas (Cumulative) | EV (Cumulative) | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $1500 | $576 | $924 |
| Year 2 | $3000 | $1152 | $1848 |
| Year 3 | $4500 | $1728 | $2772 |
| Year 4 | $6000 | $2304 | $3696 |
| Year 5 | $7500 | $2880 | $4620 |
What is EV vs Gas Calculator?
How to Use EV vs Gas Calculator
Enter your annual driving miles, current gas price per gallon, your gas vehicle's MPG, your electricity rate in $/kWh, and the EV efficiency in kWh per mile. The calculator shows the annual fuel cost for both gas and electric vehicles, yearly savings with an EV, and a 5-year cumulative savings projection.
How EV vs Gas Calculator Works
Common Use Cases
- Deciding whether to buy an electric or gas-powered vehicle
- Calculating potential fuel savings before purchasing an EV
- Comparing total fuel costs over 5 years of ownership
- Understanding how local gas and electricity prices affect EV savings
- Building a financial case for fleet electrification at your company
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive an EV per mile?▼
At the US average electricity rate of $0.16/kWh and typical EV efficiency of 0.3 kWh/mile, driving an EV costs about $0.048 per mile. A gas car averaging 30 MPG at $3.50/gallon costs about $0.117 per mile — roughly 2.4x more expensive.
What is a typical EV efficiency?▼
Most modern EVs achieve 0.25 to 0.35 kWh per mile (or 3-4 miles per kWh). Efficient models like the Tesla Model 3 achieve about 0.25 kWh/mile, while larger EVs like trucks may use 0.45+ kWh/mile.
Are EVs really cheaper to fuel than gas cars?▼
In most US locations, yes. Electricity is typically 2-3x cheaper per mile than gasoline. The savings are greatest where electricity is cheap and gas is expensive. However, in areas with very high electricity rates, the gap narrows significantly.
Does this calculator include maintenance savings?▼
This calculator focuses on fuel costs only. EVs also save on maintenance (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements, no transmission service), which can add $500-$1,000+ in additional annual savings.
How long does it take for an EV to pay for itself?▼
With a typical EV price premium of $5,000-$10,000 over a comparable gas vehicle and annual fuel savings of $1,000-$2,000, most EVs pay for themselves in 3-7 years through fuel savings alone, not counting maintenance savings or tax credits.
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