EV vs. Gas Total Cost of Ownership Calculator

Compare the true cost of owning an electric vehicle versus a gas car over 3 to 10 years. Enter your annual miles, current MPG, and the EV you're considering — the calculator factors in fuel costs, maintenance savings, purchase price difference, and your local electricity and gas rates to show your breakeven year and lifetime CO2 savings.

You may qualify for a federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500. Eligibility depends on your income and the vehicle's MSRP. See IRS Form 8936 for details.

How many miles do you drive per year?

Check your window sticker or fueleconomy.gov

Select the EV you're considering

Used to pre-fill gas and electricity rate defaults

Pre-filled with your state average — edit if needed

Pre-filled with your state average — edit if needed

Enter a negative number if the EV is cheaper than the gas vehicle

How This Calculator Works

Fuel Cost Methodology

Gas vehicle fuel cost is calculated as (annual miles ÷ MPG) × gas price. EV charging cost is calculated as (annual miles ÷ 100) × kWh/100mi × electricity rate. EV efficiency figures (kWh/100 miles) come from EPA fuel economy ratings. Electricity rate defaults come from the EIA and are updated monthly.

Maintenance Cost Methodology

Maintenance cost estimates use per-mile averages from AAA and the US Department of Energy: $0.101 per mile for gas vehicles and $0.061 per mile for EVs. Gas vehicle maintenance includes oil changes, filters, spark plugs, timing belt, transmission service, and average brake work. EV maintenance excludes all of those and includes reduced brake work due to regenerative braking. These are averages — your actual costs will vary by model and driving conditions.

CO2 Savings Calculation

Gasoline combustion produces approximately 8.89 kg of CO2 per gallon (EPA figure). Grid electricity in the US produces approximately 0.386 kg of CO2 per kWh on average (EPA eGRID national average). The EV's grid-sourced CO2 depends heavily on your local grid mix — states with high renewable penetration (Washington, California) produce far less CO2 per kWh than the national average. The calculator uses the national average for a conservative estimate.

Purchase Price Premium

Enter the difference between the EV's purchase price and a comparable gas vehicle. If you're eligible for the federal EV tax credit (up to $7,500), enter your net purchase price after the credit to see the true breakeven calculation. The calculator does not apply the credit automatically because eligibility varies by income and vehicle model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much cheaper is it to charge an EV vs. fill up with gas? ⌄

At average US rates — roughly $3.40/gallon and 17 cents/kWh — charging an efficient EV costs about 60–70% less per mile than fueling a 28 MPG gas car. For example, a Tesla Model 3 at 25 kWh/100 miles costs about $0.043/mile to charge at home, while a 28 MPG gas car at $3.40/gallon costs about $0.121/mile. Savings vary significantly by state: California residents with high gas prices and moderate electricity rates see large savings; states with very cheap gas and expensive electricity (Hawaii) see smaller differences.

What maintenance costs less on an EV? ⌄

EV owners skip several major recurring maintenance items entirely: oil changes (typically $60–$150 per service, 2–3 times per year), spark plug replacement, air filter changes, timing belt replacement, and transmission fluid service. EVs also last far longer on brake pads and rotors because regenerative braking slows the car using the motor, capturing energy and reducing friction brake wear. According to a Consumer Reports study, EV owners spend about 40% less on maintenance and repairs than gas vehicle owners on average.

Does the federal EV tax credit affect my total cost of ownership calculation? ⌄

Yes — the federal EV tax credit under IRS Form 8936 can reduce your effective purchase price by up to $7,500, which directly reduces the purchase price premium you enter into this calculator and shortens your breakeven timeline. However, eligibility has income caps (modified AGI limits apply) and vehicle MSRP caps ($55K for cars, $80K for trucks and SUVs). To account for the credit, enter your expected net purchase price after the credit in the "purchase price difference" field. See IRS Form 8936 for income and vehicle eligibility details.

What is a realistic EV range in cold weather? ⌄

Cold weather significantly reduces effective EV range. A practical planning rule: expect about 75% of the EPA-rated range when temperatures drop below freezing (32°F / 0°C). In moderate climates (40–60°F), figure about 85% of rated range. The loss comes from two sources: lithium-ion battery chemistry slows in cold, reducing available capacity, and cabin heating draws substantial power — especially with resistive electric heaters. Newer EVs with heat pumps (many 2022+ models) are significantly more efficient in cold weather. Range reduction affects charging cost calculations minimally for commuting use but matters for trip planning.

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