Helpful Toolbox

Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator

Compare what a gas car and an electric car cost you in fuel each year — and see the savings instantly.

📖 How it works & FAQ
— Gas car fuel / year
— Electric car charging / year
— Savings per year

Estimate only — real costs vary with driving style, weather, charging location, and fuel prices.

See what switching to electric really saves

Fuel is the car cost you feel every single week, and it is where gas and electric vehicles differ most. This calculator compares the annual fuel bill of a gasoline car against the charging bill of an EV using five numbers you already know: how far you drive in a year, your gas car's MPG, the local price of gas, your EV's efficiency in miles per kWh, and what you pay per kilowatt-hour. Results update live as you type, showing each car's yearly cost, its cost per mile, and the savings per year and per month. Figures are estimates only, not professional or financial advice — every assumption is editable, so plug in your own numbers.

Where the numbers come from

The gas figure divides your annual miles by MPG to find gallons burned, then multiplies by the price per gallon. The electric figure divides the same miles by miles-per-kWh to find kilowatt-hours used, then multiplies by your electricity rate. As reference points, a typical gas car lands between 25 and 35 MPG, while most EVs cover 3 to 4 miles per kWh. Home charging in the US often runs $0.13 to $0.20 per kWh, but public fast charging can cost two to three times more — so use the rate where you actually charge.

How to use it

  1. Enter your annual miles driven — the US average is around 12,000 to 14,000.
  2. Enter the gas car's MPG and your local gas price per gallon.
  3. Enter the EV's miles per kWh (check the spec sheet or trip screen).
  4. Enter your electricity rate from your utility bill.
  5. Read the yearly cost for each car and the savings — no button needed.

FAQ

Does this include purchase price, maintenance, or depreciation?
No — it compares fuel and charging costs only. EVs usually also save on maintenance, while purchase prices vary widely, so weigh those separately.
My EV spec lists kWh per 100 miles. How do I convert?
Divide 100 by that number. A car rated 28 kWh/100 mi covers about 3.6 miles per kWh.
What if I mostly use public fast chargers?
Enter the fast-charger price per kWh instead of your home rate. At $0.40 to $0.50 per kWh, an EV's edge shrinks a lot.
Is anything I type uploaded?
No. All math runs in your browser — nothing is sent to a server or stored.