The gas vs electric car comparison calculates the true total cost of ownership over 5 years — including purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance differences, and available tax credits. Enter your specific numbers to find out which option actually costs less for your situation.
Your Vehicle Profile
Avg gas car: $800-1,500/yr
Typical EV: 3-4 miles/kWh
US avg: ~$0.13/kWh
Avg EV: $300-700/yr
Up to $7,500 for qualifying EVs
EVs often cost more to insure
Gas Vehicle
5-year total cost
Electric Vehicle
5-year total cost
How to Use This Gas vs Electric Car Calculator
The gas vs electric car comparison shows which vehicle type actually costs less over 5 years when you account for the higher purchase price of most EVs, the lower operating costs, and available tax incentives. The right answer depends heavily on your local electricity rate, how many miles you drive, and your charging situation.
Key inputs that affect the comparison
Your local electricity rate matters most for the operating cost side. At $0.10/kWh, an EV costs about 2.5 cents/mile to fuel. At $0.20/kWh, it's 5 cents/mile. Gas at $3.50 and 30 MPG gives you ~11.7 cents/mile — so even expensive electricity is usually cheaper than gas. Driving miles also matter: more miles means the operating savings compound faster and the break-even comes sooner.
The federal EV tax credit
The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $7,500 for qualifying new EVs purchased from eligible manufacturers. Not all EVs qualify — check the IRS Clean Vehicle Credits page. The credit requires sufficient tax liability (it's non-refundable for direct purchases). Point-of-sale transfers to dealers are available for 2024+ model year vehicles, making the credit more accessible regardless of your tax situation.
What's not in this comparison
Home charging equipment installation ($500-$2,000 for a Level 2 charger), potential state and local incentives (which can add $1,000-$5,000+ in some states), depreciation differences between models, and range anxiety/charging infrastructure factors. For most drivers who can charge at home and drive under 250 miles per day, these practical concerns are minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this gas vs electric car calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run in your browser.
How much cheaper is an electric car to fuel?
At national averages, an EV typically costs 3-4 cents per mile to 'fuel' (electricity), compared to 10-12 cents per mile for a gas car. At 12,000 miles/year, that's roughly $360-480/year vs $1,200-1,440/year in fuel costs — savings of $700-1,000/year depending on local electricity and gas prices.
What is the federal EV tax credit in 2026?
The federal EV tax credit is up to $7,500 for new EVs purchased from qualifying manufacturers, subject to income limits ($150K single, $300K joint) and vehicle price caps ($55K cars, $80K trucks/SUVs). Not all EVs qualify — check the IRS website for the current eligible vehicle list. Used EVs qualify for up to $4,000 (30% of price, max $25K purchase price).
Are electric cars cheaper to maintain?
Generally yes. EVs have no oil changes, fewer brake jobs (regenerative braking reduces wear), no transmission service, and fewer moving parts overall. The main maintenance costs are tires, cabin air filters, and eventual battery replacement (typically $10,000-$20,000 if outside warranty). Most EV batteries are warrantied for 8 years/100,000 miles.
What electricity rate should I use for the comparison?
Use your actual home electricity rate from your utility bill. Rates typically range from $0.10-$0.30/kWh depending on your state and utility. If you plan to charge primarily during off-peak hours (common with time-of-use plans), use the off-peak rate. If you'll use public fast chargers regularly, factor in those higher rates (typically $0.30-$0.50/kWh).