Compare yearly fuel costs between an electric car and a petrol car you actually drive — see what switching would save you each year.
EV vs Gas
Fuel cost only
Average US driver: ~12,000
Fuel cost only — excludes purchase price, insurance, maintenance and home charger installation.
$950 saved / year
estimated annual fuel savings
EV charging cost / year$450
Gas cost / year$1,400
Cost per mile — EV vs gas3.8¢ vs 11.7¢
EV: miles ÷ efficiency × rate. Gas: miles ÷ mpg × price. In this example the EV saves roughly 68% of the gas bill — savings grow as gas prices rise.
EV vs gas questions
Is an EV really cheaper to run than a gas car?
On fuel alone, almost always. Typical figures: EV ~3–5 cents per mile, gas car ~10–15 cents per mile. Over 12,000 miles a year, that is usually $700–$1,200 saved on fuel.
What about maintenance and insurance costs?
EVs skip oil changes and have fewer moving parts, but tires wear faster and insurance can cost more. Total cost of ownership varies; this calculator isolates the fuel comparison.
Does charging at public fast chargers ruin the savings?
It cuts them. At $0.45/kWh, an EV costs about 11 cents per mile — similar to a gas car. Charge mostly at home to keep the advantage.