EV vs Gas Car Cost Calculator
EV vs Gas Car Cost Calculator
Driving
Gas Car
Electric Vehicle
Federal EV tax credits were repealed for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 — enter $0 unless a state or utility rebate applies to you.
Based on your results — what to do next:
Finance the one you pick
Over 8 years the gas car wins by $5,315. Price the loan on the $25,000 purchase.
Stress-test the resale assumption
Resale value swings this comparison: you assumed 30% for the EV and 35% for the gas car. See what each is really worth in 8 years.
Put the savings to work
A $586/yr fuel gap, invested, adds up fast. See how it fits your whole balance sheet.
An EV vs gas car cost calculator compares the total cost of owning an electric vehicle against a gasoline car over the years you plan to keep it. It adds purchase price, incentives, home charger cost, fuel or electricity, maintenance, insurance differences and resale value, then shows the total, cost per mile and break-even year.
How EV vs Gas Total Cost Is Calculated
① Energy cost per mile
Gas = Price per gallon ÷ MPG · EV = (kWh per mile) × blended electricity price
Blended price = Home% × home rate + (1 − Home%) × public charging rate.
② Running costs
Annual fuel = Miles × cost per mile; Maintenance = Miles × upkeep per mile
Gas prices grow at your chosen rate; electricity is assumed to grow at half that pace.
③ Total cost of ownership
TCO = Price − Incentives + Charger + Fuel + Maintenance + Extra insurance − Resale value
Break-even year is when the EV cumulative cash outlay drops below the gas car cumulative outlay.
| Variable | Meaning | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| MPG | Gas car miles per gallon | 25–40 for most sedans/crossovers |
| kWh/100 mi | EV energy use | 25–35 typical |
| Home% | Share of charging done at home | 70–90% |
| Resale% | Value kept at sale | 25–45% after 8 years |
Worked Example — 12,000 mi/yr for 8 years, $25,000 gas car (30 MPG, $3.50/gal) vs. $38,000 EV (30 kWh/100 mi), no tax credit
- Gas cost per mile: $3.50 ÷ 30 = 11.7¢ → about $1,400/year in year 1
- EV cost per mile: 0.30 kWh × $0.226 blended = 6.8¢ → about $814/year in year 1
- Fuel savings: roughly $586/year and growing as gas prices rise
- Total 8-year cost: gas ≈ $37,900, EV ≈ $43,200 (includes charger, insurance and resale)
- With a $13,000 price gap and no incentive, the gas car wins by about $5,300 — an EV pays off with higher mileage, cheaper power, or a smaller price premium
💡 Pro-Tip
The price gap and your electricity rate decide everything. Fuel savings are real but modest, so a big sticker premium can take 10+ years to recover. EVs win decisively when you drive 15,000+ miles a year, charge at home on cheap off-peak power (under 12¢/kWh), or find a used EV or state rebate that narrows the gap. Always test the resale assumption — it can swing the result by thousands.
EV vs Gas Car Cost Calculator FAQ
Is an EV cheaper than a gas car?
It depends on purchase price, mileage and power cost. EVs cost less per mile to run (often 6–8¢ vs. 10–14¢), but a higher sticker price can offset that for years. Use the calculator with your own numbers to find the break-even year.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
Multiply the car kWh per mile (about 0.30) by your electricity rate. At $0.17/kWh that is roughly 5¢ per mile, or about $600 for 12,000 miles.
Is there still a federal tax credit for EVs?
Federal clean-vehicle credits ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Some states and utilities still offer rebates, which you can enter in the Tax Credit field.
Do EVs really cost less to maintain?
Generally yes — no oil changes and fewer brake replacements thanks to regenerative braking — but tires wear faster and insurance can run higher. The calculator lets you set each figure.