An EV’s electricity cost and a gas car’s fuel cost are driven by different inputs entirely — this puts them on the same annual-dollar basis.
How it works
The EV’s annual cost is miles driven divided by 100, times its kWh-per-100-miles efficiency, times the electricity rate. The gas car’s annual cost is miles driven divided by its mpg, times the price per gallon. The difference is the annual fuel savings from driving electric.
What this does not include
This isolates fuel cost only — it doesn’t price the vehicles themselves, financing, insurance, or maintenance differences, which can meaningfully affect the full cost-of-ownership comparison beyond fuel alone.
How to use this calculator
- Enter miles driven per year, EV efficiency and electricity rate, and gas car mpg and gas price.
Frequently asked questions
Why does electricity rate matter so much?
Because it’s the direct multiplier on EV fuel cost — a driver on a cheap off-peak electricity plan sees far larger EV savings than one paying a high flat residential rate.
Does this include public charging costs?
No — this uses a single electricity rate; a driver who charges primarily at public fast chargers (often priced higher than home electricity) would see smaller EV savings than this calculator’s home-rate assumption shows.
Is fuel cost the only reason to consider an EV?
No — maintenance costs, purchase incentives, and environmental factors also factor into many buyers’ decisions, beyond the pure fuel-cost comparison this calculator focuses on.
