EV vs Gas Savings Calculator
Compare what you would spend on fuel each year with an EV versus a gas car.
Fuel cost vs charging cost
This is the pure fuel comparison — how much you spend filling a tank versus what you spend charging a battery for the same miles. It doesn't include maintenance, insurance or purchase price, but the energy gap alone is usually the biggest single saving when switching to an EV.
Worked example
Driving 12,000 miles a year: a 28-MPG gas car at $3.50/gal costs $1,500. A 3.5 mi/kWh EV at $0.15/kWh costs $514. That is a saving of about $986 a year, or $82 a month, on fuel alone.
Beyond the pump
- Maintenance: EVs need no oil changes, no spark plugs and no exhaust work. Brakes last much longer thanks to regenerative braking. Typical further savings: $400–800 a year.
- Home vs public charging: a year of mostly home charging is the cheapest case. Lots of DC fast charging can wipe out the savings.
- Time-of-use plans: charging overnight on an off-peak rate can roughly halve EV running costs again.
EV efficiency drops in cold weather; gas car efficiency drops on short trips. Both numbers are year-round averages — use a slightly lower mi/kWh and a slightly lower MPG if your driving is mostly cold or city.
Frequently asked
How is the annual savings calculated?
Annual gas cost minus annual EV cost. Gas: miles ÷ MPG × gas price. EV: miles ÷ mi-per-kWh × electricity rate. The difference is your annual fuel savings.
What MPG should I use for the gas car?
The EPA combined MPG of the car you would otherwise drive. Typical figures: compact sedans 30–38, mid-size sedans 25–32, SUVs 22–28, pickups 18–22.
What EV efficiency should I use?
3.5 mi/kWh is a solid all-round mid-size EV figure. Compact EVs get 4+ mi/kWh, SUVs 3–3.4, trucks 2–2.8. The EPA window-sticker number is a good starting point — adjust down slightly if your driving is mostly highway or cold.
Does this include maintenance or just fuel?
Just fuel and electricity. EVs also typically save $400–800 per year on maintenance because there are no oil changes, fewer wear parts, and less brake wear thanks to regenerative braking. The EV Annual Maintenance Cost calculator handles that side.
What if I charge mostly on DC fast chargers?
Raise the electricity rate to $0.40–0.55 to match typical DC fast pricing. The EV advantage shrinks substantially or disappears if you charge almost entirely at fast chargers — most owners do 80–95% of their charging at home where rates are far lower.
Does the calculator save my numbers?
No. The math runs entirely in your browser; nothing you type is sent or stored.