EV vs Gas Cost Calculator
Quick answer: EVs usually beat gas on cost-per-mile when most charging happens at home. Heavy public-charging use, low gas prices, or a big upfront price gap can flip the math. Every input updates the URL so you can share or save a scenario.
Your inputs
Numbers update results and the URL instantly.
mi/yr
Gas vehicle
mpg
$/gal
EV
mi/kWh
$/kWh
$/kWh
% home
Ownership
$
$
yr
Cost per mile
Gas
$0.117
/mile
EV (energy)
$0.062
blended $0.218/kWh
Annual energy difference
EV saves $653
Over 7 years
$7,368 EV saves
Break-even analysis
How long until the EV's operating savings (energy + maintenance) recoup its upfront price premium.
EV upfront premium
$6,000
Annual operating savings
$1,053 / yr
energy + maintenance
Break-even years
5.7 yr
EV wins overall
EV wins on total cost over 7 years — operating savings of about $7,368 more than cover the $6,000 upfront price gap.
Price sensitivity
Annual energy difference (gas − EV) as gas and electricity prices shift from today's inputs. Positive numbers mean the EV saves more.
| Gas Δ | Elec Δ | Annual difference | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| -20% | -20% | EV saves $522 | 6.5 yr |
| -20% | +0% | EV saves $373 | 7.8 yr |
| -20% | +20% | EV saves $223 | 9.6 yr |
| -10% | -20% | EV saves $662 | 5.6 yr |
| -10% | +0% | EV saves $513 | 6.6 yr |
| -10% | +20% | EV saves $363 | 7.9 yr |
| +0% | -20% | EV saves $802 | 5 yr |
| +0% | +0% | EV saves $653 | 5.7 yr |
| +0% | +20% | EV saves $503 | 6.6 yr |
| +10% | -20% | EV saves $942 | 4.5 yr |
| +10% | +0% | EV saves $793 | 5 yr |
| +10% | +20% | EV saves $643 | 5.8 yr |
| +20% | -20% | EV saves $1,082 | 4 yr |
| +20% | +0% | EV saves $933 | 4.5 yr |
| +20% | +20% | EV saves $783 | 5.1 yr |
| +30% | -20% | EV saves $1,222 | 3.7 yr |
| +30% | +0% | EV saves $1,073 | 4.1 yr |
| +30% | +20% | EV saves $923 | 4.5 yr |
Keep reading
Background and related tools — including comparisons across diesel, renewable diesel, and fleet TCO.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is EV charging cheaper than gas?
- Usually yes when most charging happens at home. A gas car at 30 MPG and $3.50/gal costs about $0.117/mi. An EV doing 3.5 mi/kWh at $0.16/kWh costs about $0.046/mi — roughly a third. Heavy reliance on fast public chargers (often $0.40–$0.55/kWh) shrinks or erases that gap.
- How do I compare kWh cost to MPG?
- Convert both to cost per mile. Gas: price ÷ MPG. EV: kWh price ÷ miles-per-kWh (or kWh price × kWh-per-mile). Comparing $/mile makes the two fuels directly comparable and lets you fold in fuel-card discounts or charging-network differences.
- Does public charging change the math?
- Significantly. Public DC fast charging frequently costs 2–4× residential electricity. Even a modest 20–30% share of public charging can add 1–3 cents per mile, which over 12,000 miles a year is $120–$360. The calculator's home-charging percentage models this directly.