Electric Vehicle vs Gas Car Cost Calculator
Compare the annual operating cost difference between an electric vehicle and a comparable gas car, factoring in fuel costs, maintenance, and EV tax rebates. Use it when deciding whether switching to an EV makes financial sense for your driving habits.
Last updated: September 2026
Formula below · 2 sources (climate.gov, Wikipedia) · Updated Sep 2026
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About this calculator
The calculator computes the annual cost advantage of an EV over a gas vehicle using: annualSavings = gasCost + gasMaintenance − evFuelCost − evMaintenance + rebatePerYear. Gas fuel cost = (milesPerYear ÷ gasMpg) × gasPrice. EV fuel cost = (milesPerYear ÷ evEfficiency) × electricityRate. The fixed maintenance values of $1,200/year for gas cars and $400/year for EVs reflect industry averages: EVs skip oil changes, have regenerative braking (less brake wear), and have fewer moving parts. Any EV rebate is divided by 5 years to spread the one-time benefit across a medium-term ownership window and added to the EV's advantage: rebatePerYear = evRebate ÷ 5. The $7,500 federal clean vehicle credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so enter 0 unless a state or utility rebate applies. Purchase price differences are not included. A positive final result means the EV saves that many dollars per year compared to the gas vehicle.
How to use
Inputs: 15,000 miles/year, gas car at 30 MPG, gas at $3.50/gal, EV at 4 miles/kWh, electricity at $0.13/kWh, $1,000 state rebate. Step 1 — Gas fuel: (15,000 ÷ 30) × $3.50 = $1,750/year. Step 2 — Gas maintenance: +$1,200. Step 3 — EV fuel: (15,000 ÷ 4) × $0.13 = $487.50/year. Step 4 — EV maintenance: +$400. Step 5 — Rebate per year: $1,000 ÷ 5 = $200. Step 6 — Annual savings: ($1,750 + $1,200) − ($487.50 + $400) + $200 = $2,950 − $887.50 + $200 = $2,262.50/year in favor of the EV.
Frequently asked questions
How much cheaper is it to fuel an electric vehicle compared to a gas car per mile?
At national averages of $3.50/gallon and 30 MPG, a gas car costs about $0.117 per mile in fuel. An EV averaging 4 miles/kWh at $0.13/kWh costs $0.033 per mile — roughly 65–70% cheaper. The gap widens significantly if you charge at home on an off-peak rate (as low as $0.06/kWh in some states) or in states with cheap electricity like Washington or Louisiana. Conversely, frequent DC fast charging at public stations ($0.35–0.50/kWh) can narrow or eliminate the fuel cost advantage. The best strategy is to charge primarily at home overnight.
What maintenance costs are lower for electric vehicles than gas cars?
EVs eliminate several recurring gas-car expenses: oil and filter changes ($100–$150 each, 2–3×/year), transmission fluid, spark plugs, timing belt replacements, and exhaust system repairs. Regenerative braking also significantly extends brake pad and rotor life, often doubling the interval. Industry data from Consumer Reports and AAA suggests EV owners spend about $330–$400/year on maintenance versus $900–$1,200 for gas vehicles. However, EVs can have higher costs if a battery module needs replacement out of warranty, though modern battery packs are increasingly durable and typically warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles.
Is the $7,500 federal EV tax credit still available?
No. The federal clean vehicle credit (up to $7,500 new, $4,000 used) ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some states and utilities still offer EV rebates; enter any rebate you will actually receive. Before October 2025 the credit had MSRP caps ($80,000 for SUVs/trucks, $55,000 for other vehicles), income caps and North American assembly and battery-sourcing rules.