Enter your yearly miles, your gas car’s mpg and your electricity price. You’ll see the yearly fuel savings of an EV and how many years it takes to pay back any extra purchase price.
How the savings are calculated
EV cost = miles × kWh per 100 mi ÷ 100 × blended electricity price
Payback years = extra purchase price ÷ yearly savings
The blended price mixes home charging and public fast charging in the share you choose.
Worked example: 12,000 miles a year
A 28-mpg car burns 429 gallons a year; at $4.49 that’s $1,924. An EV using 30 kWh per 100 miles needs 3,600 kWh. Charging 80% at home at 19¢ and 20% in public at 45¢ costs $871. The EV saves about $1,050 a year, so a $5,000 higher price pays back in about 4.7 years.
2026 prices behind the defaults
| Input | Default | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gas price | $4.49 per gallon | AAA national average, Sept 25, 2026 |
| Home electricity | 19¢ per kWh | EIA US residential average, April 2026 (18.8¢) |
| Public fast charging | 45¢ per kWh | Typical network pricing; varies widely |
Savings swing a lot by state: California has some of the highest gas and electricity prices, while many Midwestern states have cheap power. Use your own bill and pump prices. Our EV vs. gas guide goes deeper.
Frequently asked questions
Is an EV always cheaper to fuel?
Usually, when you charge mostly at home. If you rely on public fast charging, the gap shrinks and can disappear.
Do EVs cost less to maintain?
They need no oil changes, and brakes last longer thanks to regenerative braking. Tires can wear faster because EVs are heavier.
Does a home charger cost extra?
A Level 2 charger plus installation often costs $1,000–$2,500. Add it to the extra purchase price if you’ll need one.
Sources: AAA gas prices (September 25, 2026); U.S. Energy Information Administration residential electricity data (April 2026).
