Gas vs. Electric Cost Calculator

Estimates compare fuel and charging costs only — not purchase price, incentives, insurance, or maintenance. Public fast-charging costs more than home charging. This is general education, not financial advice.

How gas and electric fuel costs compare

The two are measured differently — gallons and MPG versus kilowatt-hours and miles per kWh — which makes them hard to compare in your head. The fair way is cost per mile. For a gas car, your annual miles divided by MPG gives gallons used, times the price per gallon. For an EV, annual miles divided by miles-per-kWh gives the electricity used, times your price per kWh.

This calculator runs both and shows the yearly cost, the per-mile cost, and what the difference adds up to over five years — so you can see the real running-cost gap for your driving, not a national average.

Why charging usually wins on cost

Electric motors are far more efficient at turning energy into motion than gasoline engines, and electricity is generally cheaper per unit of energy than gas. For a typical EV charged at home, the cost often lands at just a few cents per mile — frequently a third or less of what gasoline costs per mile.

The big variables are your local prices and where you charge. Home charging is cheapest; public fast-charging can cost several times more and narrows the gap. If you can plug in at home overnight, the EV fuel advantage is usually at its largest.

What this calculator does (and doesn't) include

This tool compares fuel and charging costs only — the running cost of energy. It deliberately leaves out the things that vary most from buyer to buyer:

• Purchase price & incentives — EVs can cost more up front but may qualify for rebates or tax credits.
• Maintenance — EVs skip oil changes and wear brakes less, which usually lowers upkeep.
• Insurance & depreciation — these depend on the specific models you're comparing.

To weigh the whole picture, pair these fuel savings with the True Cost to Own calculator.

Tips for an accurate comparison

• Use real local prices. Check your latest electric bill for your true per-kWh rate and a recent gas receipt.
• Use the EV's rated efficiency. Find miles per kWh on the window sticker or fueleconomy.gov; cold weather and highway speeds lower it.
• Match the cars you're actually considering. A thirsty truck vs. an efficient EV exaggerates the gap; compare like for like.
• Factor your charging mix. If you rely on public fast-charging, raise your per-kWh price to reflect it.

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Plan the whole purchase, step by step: