An EV vs gas savings calculator helps you compare the true annual fuel cost of an electric vehicle against a conventional gasoline car. With gas prices volatile and electricity rates varying by region, a side-by-side cost calculation reveals exactly how much you save per year — and when the EV pays for itself through fuel savings alone.
Your Driving & Costs
Extra upfront cost of the EV — used to calculate break-even
Enter your details and click
Calculate Savings
Cost Comparison
Annual CO₂ Emissions
Cumulative Fuel Savings Over Time
* Fuel savings only. Does not include EV maintenance savings or depreciation.
How to Use the EV vs Gas Savings Calculator
The real cost of driving isn't just the sticker price — it's every gallon you pump and every kilowatt-hour you charge over years of ownership. This EV vs gas savings calculator puts both vehicles on a level playing field so you can make a data-driven decision about going electric.
Step 1: Enter Your Annual Mileage
Start with how many miles you drive per year. The U.S. average is around 14,000 miles per year, but your actual figure is what matters. If you commute 30 miles round-trip on 250 working days, that's 7,500 miles just for commuting — add weekend and leisure driving to get your real total. The more you drive, the faster an EV pays for itself through fuel savings.
Step 2: Enter Gas Car Details
Input your gas car's fuel economy in miles per gallon (MPG) and your local gas price per gallon. Check your car's EPA fuel economy label or look up the model on fueleconomy.gov for a reliable MPG figure. For gas price, use the current price at your most-used station — or check GasBuddy for your zip code. Even a $0.25/gallon swing significantly affects annual costs over high-mileage driving.
Step 3: Enter EV Details
EV efficiency is measured in miles per kWh rather than MPG. Most mainstream EVs achieve 3–4 miles per kWh. The default of 3.5 mi/kWh is a fair mid-range estimate. For your electricity rate, check your utility bill — look for the cost per kWh on your last statement, typically between $0.10 and $0.20 in the US. If you charge at public fast chargers frequently, use a blended rate closer to $0.25–0.35/kWh to get a more realistic estimate.
Step 4: Add an EV Price Premium (Optional)
If you want to know when fuel savings will offset the higher purchase price of an EV, enter the price difference between the EV and a comparable gas car. For example, if the EV costs $42,000 and the gas car costs $35,000, enter $7,000. The calculator will show your break-even point — how many years until cumulative fuel savings cover that extra cost.
Reading the Results
Results show your annual gas cost vs annual electricity cost, annual and multi-year savings, and a year-by-year cumulative savings chart. The CO₂ section compares emissions based on the EPA's carbon factor for gasoline (8,887 g CO₂/gallon) and the U.S. national average grid emission factor. All calculations run instantly in your browser — no data is sent anywhere and no account is needed.
FAQ
Is this EV vs gas savings calculator really free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run locally in your browser — no data is ever sent to a server. You can even use it offline once the page has loaded.
How accurate are the EV savings estimates?
The estimates are accurate given the inputs you provide. Real-world savings depend on your local electricity and gas prices, your actual driving patterns, and how efficiently you charge (home vs public charging). For the most accurate results, use your actual utility rate and recent local gas prices.
What is the average EV efficiency (miles per kWh) I should use?
Most modern EVs achieve between 3 and 4 miles per kWh. The EPA-rated efficiency for popular EVs: Tesla Model 3 (~4.1 mi/kWh), Chevrolet Bolt (~3.5 mi/kWh), Nissan Leaf (~3.1 mi/kWh), Tesla Model Y (~3.5 mi/kWh). The default of 3.5 mi/kWh is a reasonable average for a mid-range EV.
How is the CO₂ comparison calculated?
Gas car CO₂ is calculated using the EPA standard of 8,887 grams of CO₂ per gallon of gasoline burned. EV CO₂ uses the U.S. national average grid emission factor of about 386 grams of CO₂ per kWh generated (EPA eGRID 2023 national average). EVs in states with cleaner grids will emit even less.
What does the break-even period mean?
The break-even period is how many years it takes for your cumulative fuel savings to equal the extra upfront cost of the EV over a comparable gas car. Once you pass the break-even point, every year represents net profit from choosing the EV. This is only calculated when you enter an EV price premium.
Does this calculator include EV maintenance savings?
This tool focuses on fuel cost comparison only. EVs also have lower maintenance costs — no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking, and fewer moving parts overall. Studies suggest EV owners save $500–$1,000 per year on maintenance, which would make the real-world savings even higher than shown here.
How do home charging rates compare to public charging?
Home charging typically costs $0.10–$0.16 per kWh in the US, making it the cheapest option. Public Level 2 chargers range from $0.20–$0.35 per kWh. DC fast chargers can cost $0.30–$0.60 per kWh. If you primarily charge at home, use your home electricity rate. If you use a mix, enter a blended average rate for best accuracy.
Can I use this calculator for cars outside the US?
Yes. Simply enter your local fuel prices and electricity rates in whatever currency and unit system you use. The calculator works with any numbers — just make sure your gas price is per gallon and electricity rate is per kWh, and adjust the MPG and mi/kWh values to match your local efficiency ratings.