⛽ Gas Vehicle
⚡ Electric Vehicle
⛽ Gas Vehicle
⚡ Electric Vehicle
EV Savings over Gas
How to use this calculator
The Gas vs EV Comparison mode takes your annual mileage, the gas price in your area, your gas car's MPG, and your EV's efficiency in miles per kWh. It calculates the cost per mile for each vehicle, then shows you monthly savings, annual savings, and five-year savings if you switched to electric.
The Single Vehicle mode works as a standalone fuel cost calculator. Enter your mileage, MPG or kWh efficiency, and your local fuel price to see exactly what you spend per week, month, and year keeping your car fueled.
Gas car fuel costs — what drives them
Your annual gas spend is determined by three variables: miles driven, MPG, and gas price. Of the three, MPG is the one you can control long-term by choosing a more efficient vehicle. The formula is straightforward: divide your annual miles by your MPG to get gallons consumed, then multiply by the price per gallon.
Average MPG by vehicle type
| Vehicle Type | Typical MPG | Annual cost at $3.50/gal, 12k mi |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car | 32–40 MPG | $1,050–$1,313 |
| Midsize sedan | 26–32 MPG | $1,313–$1,615 |
| SUV (midsize) | 22–28 MPG | $1,500–$1,909 |
| Pickup truck | 16–22 MPG | $1,909–$2,625 |
| Hybrid | 42–55 MPG | $764–$1,000 |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | 40–55 MPG equivalent | $764–$1,050 |
EV fuel costs — kWh and efficiency explained
Electric vehicles are rated in miles per kWh — kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed per mile. A higher number means more efficient. Most EVs fall between 3 and 4 miles per kWh, though large trucks and performance vehicles land closer to 2.5. Your electricity rate — what you pay per kWh on your electric bill — is the other key variable.
Charging at home on a standard residential rate is almost always the cheapest option. Public Level 2 chargers typically cost 20–30 cents per kWh. DC fast chargers can run 35–55 cents per kWh — still usually cheaper per mile than gas, but noticeably more than home charging.
EV efficiency by vehicle type
| EV Type | Miles per kWh | Annual cost at $0.14/kWh, 12k mi |
|---|---|---|
| Efficient compact EV (e.g. Model 3 LR) | 3.8–4.5 | $373–$442 |
| Midsize EV (e.g. Model Y, Ioniq 5) | 3.2–3.8 | $442–$525 |
| Large SUV / crossover EV | 2.7–3.2 | $525–$622 |
| Electric pickup (e.g. F-150 Lightning) | 2.2–2.8 | $600–$764 |
| Performance EV (e.g. Model S Plaid) | 3.0–3.5 | $480–$560 |
Beyond fuel costs: the full picture
Fuel savings are the most straightforward part of the gas vs EV comparison, but not the whole story. EVs generally have lower maintenance costs — no oil changes, less brake wear due to regenerative braking, and fewer moving parts overall. AAA estimates EV maintenance costs about $0.03 per mile less than a comparable gas vehicle.
On the other side, EVs typically cost more to purchase upfront, though the federal EV tax credit (up to $7,500 for qualifying new vehicles as of 2024) and various state incentives narrow that gap. Insurance can run slightly higher for EVs due to higher repair costs for batteries and specialized components.
The breakeven point — where total EV ownership costs drop below a comparable gas vehicle — typically falls between 3 and 7 years depending on your driving habits, local electricity and gas prices, and the price difference between the vehicles you're comparing.