How much will you really save by going electric? Compare 5 years of fuel costs, side by side.
Gas price defaults to the AAA national average ($4.10/gal, Nov 2026). Change it to your local price.
At the US average home rate of $0.18 per kWh and $4.10 per gallon of gas, a typical EV at 3.5 miles per kWh costs about 6 cents per mile in energy, while a 30 mpg gas SUV costs about 14 cents per mile. Over 12,000 miles a year that is roughly $720 for the EV versus $1,640 for the gas car — a saving of about $920 a year, or $4,600 over five years. Against a thirsty 21 mpg three-row SUV the saving roughly doubles; against a 47 mpg hybrid sedan it shrinks to about $300 a year, because the hybrid is already very efficient.
Fuel is only part of the story. EVs also skip oil changes, have far less brake wear thanks to regenerative braking, and have no transmission, exhaust or spark plugs to service. Most owners save a few hundred dollars a year on maintenance on top of the fuel saving — but they may pay more for tires, because EVs are heavy and torquey.
On fuel alone, yes for most drivers. At the US average electricity rate of $0.18 per kWh and a gas price of $4.10 per gallon, a typical EV costs about 6 to 7 cents per mile for energy while a 30 MPG gas car costs about 14 cents per mile — roughly half. Over five years that is usually $4,000 to $6,000 in fuel savings.
For a driver covering 12,000 miles a year, a typical EV saves $800 to $1,500 a year on fuel versus a comparable gas car at current prices. The exact saving depends on your electricity rate, the gas car's MPG and your annual miles.
Yes, a lot. In Washington, where residential electricity averages about $0.15 per kWh, an EV costs roughly half as much to run as in California, where it averages about $0.30 per kWh. Even in California, though, an EV is still cheaper per mile than most gas cars.
EVs have no oil changes, no exhaust system and far fewer moving parts than gas cars. Brake pads last much longer because of regenerative braking. Real-world data suggests EV maintenance costs roughly half those of a gas car, on top of the fuel savings shown by this calculator.
Fuel costs only — purchase price, insurance, maintenance and resale value are not included. Electricity rates: EIA August 2026. Gas price: AAA national average, November 2026. Public charging at $0.48/kWh is a national average estimate. Not financial advice.