EV vs Gas Cost Calculator (5-Year)
Compare the multi-year operating cost of an electric vs a gas car — fuel/energy plus maintenance — using your own mileage and local rates. Runs in your browser.
5-year operating cost
| EV | Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel / energy | $2,914 | $7,500 |
| Maintenance | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| 5-year total | $5,914 | $13,500 |
EV saves $7,586 over 5 years (operating costs)
Operating costs only — fuel/energy and maintenance. Excludes purchase price, incentives, insurance, depreciation, and battery replacement. Enter your own local rates for an accurate comparison.
About this tool
The headline question for switching to electric is usually 'will it actually save me money?', and the honest answer depends entirely on your mileage and your local prices. This calculator compares the operating cost of an EV against a gas car over a period you choose (five years by default) across the two costs that differ most: fuel versus electricity, and maintenance. It computes EV energy cost from your efficiency in miles per kWh and your electricity rate, gas cost from fuel economy and pump price, and adds each vehicle's annual maintenance — EVs typically lower, with no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regenerative braking that spares the pads. Because energy and fuel prices vary enormously by region and over time, every rate is an input you set rather than a baked-in assumption, so the comparison reflects your real situation. It deliberately covers operating costs only — purchase price, tax incentives, insurance, depreciation, and any battery replacement are excluded and can swing the total either way. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use it
- Enter your annual mileage and how many years to compare.
- Fill in the EV's efficiency, your electricity rate, and its maintenance.
- Fill in the gas car's mpg, local gas price, and its maintenance.
- Read the multi-year totals and the operating-cost difference.
Frequently asked questions
- What costs does this include?
- Operating costs only: fuel for the gas car or electricity for the EV, plus each vehicle's annual maintenance. It excludes purchase price, incentives, insurance, registration, depreciation, and battery replacement — all of which matter for total cost of ownership.
- Why do I have to enter the prices myself?
- Electricity and gasoline prices vary widely by region, utility, time-of-use plan, and over time, so any built-in number would be wrong for most people. Entering your actual rates makes the comparison reflect your real costs.
- Why is EV maintenance usually lower?
- EVs have far fewer moving parts — no engine oil, spark plugs, timing belts, or multi-speed transmission — and regenerative braking reduces brake wear. Typical maintenance is meaningfully lower than a comparable gas car, though tires and other wear items still apply.
- How do I find my EV efficiency in miles per kWh?
- It is on the car's display or spec sheet; common values are 3–4 mi/kWh. You can also convert from the EPA kWh/100 mi rating (e.g. 28 kWh/100 mi ≈ 3.6 mi/kWh). Cold weather and highway speeds lower it.
- Does this account for home solar or free workplace charging?
- Indirectly — set your electricity rate to reflect your real cost. If you charge from owned solar or free chargers, lower the $/kWh accordingly (even to near zero) to see the effect.
- Is anything uploaded?
- No. All inputs and the comparison run entirely in your browser with no network request.