EV vs Gas Savings Calculator
Compare total cost of owning an electric vehicle vs gas car. See fuel, maintenance, and total savings over 5-10 years.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: DOE
Annual Fuel Savings
$1,277.14
Annual Maintenance Savings
$600.00
Total Annual Savings
$1,877.14
5-Year Savings
$9,385.71
10-Year Savings
$18,771.43
EV Savings Breakdown
| Annual Gas Fuel Cost | $1,757.14 |
| Annual EV Fuel Cost | - $480.00 |
| Annual Fuel Savings | $1,277.14 |
| Gas Maintenance/yr | $1,200.00 |
| EV Maintenance/yr | - $600.00 |
| Annual Maintenance Savings | $600.00 |
| Total Annual Savings | $1,877.14 |
| 5-Year Savings | $9,385.71 |
| 10-Year Savings | $18,771.43 |
Use the EV vs Gas Savings Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
Choosing between an electric vehicle and a gas car comes down to what each one costs to run over time, not just the sticker price. The tool estimates the savings an EV could deliver across a period you define, weighing both the immediate operating costs and the way they accumulate over the years you plan to keep the car.
Under the hood, it compares total cost of ownership for the two vehicles. The EV's annual charging costs, maintenance, and any tax incentives or credits are set against the equivalent figures for the gas car, and the resulting yearly gap is projected forward across the number of years you choose.
Several moving parts deserve attention: electricity and gas prices both shift over time, and an EV may eventually face a battery replacement. Home charging tends to cost far less than public charging, and the difference is easy to underestimate, just as available government incentives are easy to overlook when they could meaningfully change the outcome.
Example: Comparing a Tesla Model 3 to a Honda Civic over 5 years
- 1 Input the average fuel efficiency of the gas car (e.g., 35 MPG), average gas price ($3.50/gallon), average electricity rate ($0.15/kWh), EV efficiency (e.g., 4 miles/kWh), annual mileage (12,000 miles), and initial price difference ($10,000 more for EV) and any EV tax credit ($7,500).
- 2 The calculator determines annual gas cost ($1,200) vs. annual electricity cost ($450). It then factors in potential lower EV maintenance ($200/year less) and the initial price difference adjusted by the tax credit ($2,500 more for EV upfront).
- 3 After 5 years, the EV could result in a total savings of approximately $3,250, considering the initial higher purchase price offset by the tax credit and ongoing lower operating costs.
- 4 This example shows that while an EV might have a higher upfront cost, significant savings on fuel and maintenance, combined with incentives, can make it more economical in the long run.
Source: DOE · Last updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I save by switching to an electric vehicle?
Are electric cars cheaper to maintain than gas cars?
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
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