EV vs Gas Car Cost Comparison

This calculator compares an electric car with a gasoline car by their running costs: fuel or charging plus upkeep each year. The break-even point is the EV’s extra upfront cost divided by its yearly running saving, and the total cost adds purchase price and running costs over the years you keep the car.

Reviewed by CostPulse HubLast updated

Driving and cars

Imperial units
mi
mpg (US)
mi/kWh

Prices

total
Example price, edit to match your area
total
Example price, edit to match your area
total
Only ones you have confirmed.
per gallon
Published average: EIA weekly average, week of 5 Oct 2026
per kWh
Published average: EIA 2026 forecast, STEO Oct 2026Mix of home and public charging.
per year
Example price, edit to match your area
per year
Example price, edit to match your area
Example prices: US (USD) — edit to match your area

Starting prices for the United States in USD. Fields marked “Published average” use the source below, at the date of that source. All other starting prices are example prices: round planning values, not quotes or averages. Prices change by store, area and season, so edit them to match your area. Fuel: U.S. average regular gasoline, $4.354 per gallon, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), week of October 5, 2026 (source). Electricity: U.S. average residential price forecast for 2026, 18.2 cents per kWh, EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026 (source).

Your estimate

Results update as you type.

EV pays back its extra cost
6.6 years
Gas car fuel per year
$1,741.60
EV charging per year
$624.00
Running saving with the EV
$1,517.60
Gas car total
$53,132.80 over 8 years
EV total
$50,992.00 over 8 years

How to use the EV vs gas comparison

  1. Choose miles or kilometres and your fuel-economy unit at the top.
  2. Enter how far you drive in a year and how many years you plan to keep the car.
  3. Enter both cars’ prices, the gas car’s fuel economy and the EV’s efficiency.
  4. Set the fuel price and a blended electricity price that mixes home and public charging the way you would use them.
  5. Add yearly upkeep for each car and any EV incentive you have confirmed you can claim.

How the comparison is worked out

Fuel per year = distance × fuel used per distance × fuel price
Charging per year = distance × kWh per distance × electricity price
Running saving = (fuel + gas upkeep) − (charging + EV upkeep)
Break-even (years) = (EV price − incentives − gas car price) ÷ running saving
Total = price + years × running cost

The chart shows the cumulative cost of each car year by year; where the lines cross is the break-even point. Resale value, insurance, finance and any home charger installation are left out to keep the comparison clear; the total cost of ownership calculator covers depreciation, insurance and interest.

Worked example

12,000 miles a year for 8 years. The gas car costs $32,000, does 30 MPG on fuel at $4.354 a gallon and needs $900 of upkeep a year. The EV costs $42,000, uses 3.5 miles per kWh at 18.2 cents and needs $500 a year:

  1. Gas car fuel: 12,000 ÷ 30 × $4.354 = $1,741.60 a year.
  2. EV charging: 12,000 ÷ 3.5 × $0.182 = $624.00 a year.
  3. Running saving: ($1,741.60 + $900) − ($624.00 + $500) = $1,517.60 a year.
  4. The EV costs $10,000 more, so it pays back after 6.6 years. Over 8 years: gas $53,132.80 over 8 years, EV $50,992.00 over 8 years.

Load this example into the calculator

Tips for a fair comparison

  • Compare similar cars. A small EV against a large SUV tells you more about size than about fuel.
  • Blend your electricity price. Mostly home charging on an off-peak tariff gives a low blended price; frequent rapid charging pushes it up a lot.
  • Check incentives now, not later. In the US, the federal clean vehicle tax credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so only count state, utility or local programs you have confirmed.
  • Include insurance quotes. Insurance for some EVs costs more than for similar gas cars; get quotes for both before deciding.

US, UK and Canada differences

US comparisons usually use miles, MPG and price per gallon. In the UK, compare miles per imperial gallon with a price per litre, and note that electric cars have paid vehicle excise duty since April 2025, so road tax is no longer a saving. Canadian buyers face winter range losses and should check provincial rebates and electricity rates, which vary widely between provinces.

Metric units and other countries

In kilometre mode, the gas car uses L/100 km or km/L and the EV uses kWh per 100 km. In countries where fuel is subsidised or electricity is billed in rising slabs, the result can swing a lot either way, so enter the prices you actually pay. Outside the five preset regions every price starts empty.

Frequently asked questions

Related calculators

Results are estimates for planning only. Fuel use, charging costs, finance terms and resale values vary, so check the figures with your lender, dealer, insurer or energy supplier before you decide. See our disclaimer.