EV vs Gas Cost Calculator 2026
Tesla Model 3 saves $10,900 vs Honda Civic over 5 years. Chevy Bolt saves $11,700 vs Camry. Fuel savings average $1,050/year and maintenance savings add $600/year at 12,000 miles. Your state electricity rate and annual miles determine your exact number. Enter both below for a full 5-year electric car vs gas cost breakdown: fuel, maintenance, and federal tax credits included.
EV vs Gas 5-Year Cost Comparison: Tesla Model 3 vs Honda Civic
A Tesla Model 3 versus a Honda Civic: the EV wins the 5-year cost race by roughly $10,900 through fuel and maintenance savings at 12,000 miles/year. In California where gas averages $4.85/gallon, annual fuel savings alone hit $1,200+. In Washington at $0.10/kWh electricity, the advantage grows even larger. Enter your state and miles below to see your personalized comparison.
| Cost | Gas (Honda Civic) | EV (Tesla Model 3) | EV Saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $24,350 | $19,990 (after $7,500 credit) | $4,360 |
| Fuel, 5 years (12K mi/yr) | $6,000 | $2,450 | $3,550 |
| Maintenance, 5 years | $6,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| 5-year total | $36,350 | $25,440 | ~$10,900 |
National averages: $3.20/gal, $0.155/kWh, 12,000 mi/yr. Your state changes the fuel numbers. Use the calculator below.
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5-Year Total Cost Comparison
Cumulative Cost by Year
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EV Charging Costs by State
Electricity rates range from 10¢/kWh in Washington to 44¢/kWh in Hawaii. Pick your state for a full breakdown: home vs public vs DC fast charging costs, EV vs gas savings, and what to know about your local grid.
Tesla Supercharger Cost by State
Member and non-member Supercharger rates, station counts, and cost vs home charging — for all 50 states. See how much more you pay at a Supercharger than charging overnight at home.
EV vs Gas Savings by State
Annual fuel savings depend almost entirely on where you live. Washington saves $1,258/yr. California saves $900/yr. Texas saves $713/yr. See the breakdown for the 10 largest states.
EV Tax Credits & Incentives by State
State-level EV rebates and tax credits change the math dramatically. Colorado offers $5,000 on top of the federal $7,500. Oregon matches with $7,500 in state rebates. Most states offer nothing. See what your state provides.
EV vs Gas Cost by State: All 50 States
Full state-by-state breakdown of EV ownership costs vs gas cars. Includes electricity rates, gas prices, annual savings, and available incentives for every state.
Personalized Decision Tools
The calculator above shows average savings. These tools answer the questions that depend on your specific situation: your income, your lease terms, your current car's MPG.
Should I Switch to an EV? State-by-State Verdicts
Every state has different electricity rates, gas prices, and incentives. Our state guides factor it all in and give you a clear verdict: switch now, wait, or it depends.
EV Model Cost Breakdowns
Charging cost, fuel savings, and 5-year total cost of ownership for top-selling EVs. Side-by-side comparisons with equivalent gas cars.
How the 5-Year Total Cost Comparison Works
The purchase price gap between EVs and gas cars is real but narrowing. A 2025 Chevy Bolt EV starts at $26,500. A comparable gas compact like a Toyota Corolla starts around $23,000. That's a $3,500 gap. After the $7,500 federal tax credit, the EV is actually cheaper to buy. That's new. Two years ago, this math looked completely different.
But purchase price is only one piece. The 5-year cost comparison adds up fuel, maintenance, and purchase price together. That's what you actually spend. And when you run those numbers with state-specific gas prices and electricity rates, the EV advantage at purchase price often doubles or triples over 5 years.
What Drives the Biggest Savings
Fuel is usually the largest line item. A typical driver covering 12,000 miles per year in a 28 MPG gas car spends roughly $1,500–$2,000 per year on gas depending on their state. The same driver charging at home spends $400–$900 per year on electricity. That's $600–$1,100 per year in fuel savings. Over 5 years: $3,000–$5,500. Our electric car savings calculator shows the exact breakdown for your MPG and state.
Maintenance is the less-discussed savings. EVs have no oil changes, no transmission service, fewer brake jobs (regenerative braking extends pad life significantly), and no spark plugs or timing belts. AAA data puts average gas car maintenance at $1,200/year. EV maintenance runs roughly $600/year. That $600/year gap adds $3,000 over 5 years.
Combined, a driver in a moderate-cost electricity state switching from an average gas car to a mid-range EV typically saves $5,000–$10,000 over 5 years before accounting for tax credits. Add a $7,500 federal credit and the numbers get harder to argue with.
When EVs Don't Save Money
Hawaii. Electricity costs 44¢/kWh there, roughly 4x the national average. The charging math breaks even but doesn't come out ahead by much. High-volume public charging only situations also compress the savings: DC fast chargers average 35–50¢/kWh, which is 3x home rates and gets close to gas costs per mile.
Short time horizons also matter. If you sell or trade after 2 years, you've absorbed the purchase price premium but haven't built up enough fuel and maintenance savings to recoup it. The 5-year mark is where most EV buyers come out solidly ahead.
Factors That Change Your Result Most
State electricity rate matters more than most people realize. Washington state charges 10¢/kWh for residential electricity. California charges 31¢/kWh. That's a 3x difference in charging cost for identical driving patterns. A California EV driver covering 15,000 miles per year pays roughly $1,200 to charge. The same driver in Washington pays $400. Their gas costs would be identical.
Miles driven matters proportionally. Someone driving 20,000 miles per year saves twice as much on fuel as someone driving 10,000 miles. High-mileage drivers are typically the clearest EV winners. Low-mileage drivers (under 8,000/year) see smaller annual savings that take longer to offset any purchase price premium.
EV efficiency also varies meaningfully by model. The Chevy Bolt gets 4.1 miles per kWh. The BMW i4 gets about 3.1. At 16¢/kWh, that's a 24% difference in charging cost per mile. The Bolt is cheaper to run than the BMW even before you compare purchase prices. Efficiency isn't just a range number; it's a direct fuel cost multiplier.
Tax credit eligibility has real dollar stakes. Income above $150,000 (single) or $300,000 (joint) disqualifies the buyer for the federal credit. MSRP above $55,000 also disqualifies most sedans. If you're ineligible for the credit, the 5-year savings shrink but don't disappear. The fuel and maintenance savings exist regardless of tax credit status.
Real Model Comparisons: EV vs Gas Head-to-Head
The numbers below use national averages: $3.20/gal gas, $0.155/kWh electricity, 12,000 miles/year, $7,500 federal tax credit applied. Maintenance gap: $600/year in EV's favor (no oil changes, longer brake life).
| EV | vs Gas Car | Purchase Gap | 5-Yr EV Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevy Bolt EV ($22,000 after credit) | Toyota Camry ($27,000) | EV $5,000 cheaper | +$11,700 |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD ($19,990 after credit) | Honda Civic ($24,350) | EV $4,360 cheaper | +$10,900 |
| Chevy Equinox EV ($29,995 after credit) | Toyota RAV4 ($30,000) | Near-equal | +$6,800 |
| F-150 Lightning ($42,495 after credit) | Ford F-150 XLT ($36,000) | Gas $6,500 cheaper | +$2,200 |
The sedan comparisons are the clearest case. After the tax credit, the Model 3 and Bolt both cost less than their direct gas competitors at purchase — and then keep saving $1,300–$1,400/year on fuel and maintenance. Five years out, you're $10,000–$12,000 ahead.
The SUV comparison is tighter. Equinox EV vs RAV4 is essentially a wash at purchase (after credit). The EV still wins at 5 years by $6,800, but the margin narrows if you drive fewer miles or charge mostly at public stations.
Trucks are the honest edge case. F-150 Lightning buyers start $6,500 in the hole even after the credit. At 12,000 miles/year, the fuel and maintenance savings close that gap, but barely. At 20,000 miles/year, the Lightning pulls ahead by about $6,000 over 5 years. If you're a light-mileage truck driver, the economics don't work yet.
EV Charging Cost: What to Expect
EV charging cost is usually the biggest variable in the total cost comparison. Home charging on a Level 2 charger (240V) costs $40–$80 per month for a typical 12,000-mile driver at national average electricity rates. That same driver in a 28 MPG gas car spends $125–$170 per month on fuel. The gap is $600–$1,100 per year in favor of the EV.
Public DC fast charging changes the math. Commercial fast chargers from Electrify America, EVgo, or Tesla Supercharger networks average $0.35–0.50/kWh — about 3x home rates. A driver who relies entirely on public fast charging may see fuel costs approach gas parity, eliminating much of the EV cost advantage. Home charging is where the savings live.
State electricity rates drive the spread. Washington state residential electricity averages $0.10/kWh. California averages $0.31/kWh. At Washington rates, charging a mid-efficiency EV for 12,000 miles costs about $390/year. At California rates, it's $1,220/year. The calculator above uses your state's actual EIA average rate, so your state matters significantly.
Overnight Level 2 charging also benefits from off-peak rates in states with time-of-use (TOU) pricing. California, New York, and several other states offer EV rates below $0.10/kWh for overnight charging — cutting charging cost nearly in half versus peak rates. Check with your utility before assuming you'll pay the state average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric car cheaper than gas in 2026?
For most buyers, yes. A Tesla Model 3 at $27,490 drops to $19,990 after the $7,500 federal credit. That's $4,360 less than a Honda Civic. Then you save roughly $1,300/year on fuel and maintenance. After 5 years, the Model 3 owner is $10,900 ahead.
States matter. Washington ($0.10/kWh electricity) and Colorado ($5,000 state credit) make the gap wider. Hawaii ($0.44/kWh) narrows it. Use the calculator above with your state to see exact numbers.
What's the total cost of ownership for an EV vs gas car?
TCO includes purchase price (minus credits), fuel, maintenance, and insurance over your ownership period. For a mid-range EV like the Chevy Equinox EV ($37,495, or $29,995 after credit) vs a Toyota RAV4 ($30,000), the purchase prices are nearly equal. But the EV saves ~$1,360/year in fuel and maintenance. Over 5 years, that's $6,800 in the EV's favor.
How much does EV maintenance actually cost?
About $400–$900/year according to Consumer Reports data. Gas cars run $900–$1,500/year. The difference: no oil changes, no transmission service, and regenerative braking means brake pads last 2–3x longer. You're left with tire rotations, cabin air filters, and windshield wipers. Battery replacement is a concern people raise, but most EV batteries last 150,000–200,000 miles. If you're keeping the car 5 years at 12,000 miles/year, that's 60,000 miles. Not close.
Which states are cheapest for EV ownership?
Washington ($0.10/kWh), Idaho ($0.108/kWh), and Wyoming ($0.108/kWh) have the cheapest electricity. Charging costs under $400/year for a typical driver. Pair cheap electricity with a strong state rebate and the numbers get dramatic: Oregon offers $7,500 in state rebates on top of the federal $7,500, making some EVs $15,000 cheaper at purchase than their gas equivalent.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home vs public chargers?
Home Level 2 charging: $40–$80/month at national average rates. Public DC fast charging: $0.35–$0.50/kWh, roughly 3x the cost of home charging. A driver who charges exclusively at public stations might spend $120–$180/month. That still beats the $150–$200/month a 28 MPG gas car costs, but the margin shrinks. Home charging is where the real savings are.
When does an EV NOT save money vs gas?
Three scenarios. First: Hawaii, where electricity costs $0.44/kWh — charging costs approach gas parity. Second: if you rely entirely on public DC fast charging at $0.40+/kWh. Third: short ownership periods. If you sell after 2 years, you've eaten the purchase premium but haven't accumulated enough fuel savings to offset it. The 5-year mark is where most EV buyers pull clearly ahead.
Trucks are also tighter. An F-150 Lightning buyer starts $6,500 behind an F-150 XLT even after the tax credit. At 12,000 miles/year the savings barely close that gap. At 20,000 miles/year, the Lightning wins by $6,000 over 5 years.
What is the electric car vs gas cost comparison for 2026?
In 2026, the electric car vs gas cost comparison favors EVs at most price points. A Tesla Model 3 at $19,990 after the federal credit costs less upfront than a Honda Civic at $24,350, then saves $1,300/year more — $10,900 ahead over 5 years. The Chevy Bolt at $22,000 after credit is $11,700 ahead of a Toyota Camry over 5 years.
The comparison shifts depending on your state. Washington ($0.10/kWh electricity) and Oregon ($7,500 state rebate) make the gap wider. Hawaii ($0.44/kWh electricity) and any situation where you charge mostly at public DC fast chargers compress the advantage. The calculator above runs the full comparison for your state and miles.
How do I run an EV vs gas cost comparison for my situation?
You need four inputs: your annual miles, your state, your gas car's MPG, and the EV model you're considering. The calculator above uses your state's actual EIA electricity rate and gas price average, then builds a 5-year comparison that includes purchase price, fuel, maintenance, and the federal tax credit.
The two numbers that move the result most: state electricity rate (10¢/kWh in Washington vs 31¢/kWh in California) and annual miles driven. More miles means more annual fuel savings, which compounds over 5 years. A 20,000-mile/year driver saves roughly twice as much as a 10,000-mile/year driver.
EV vs Gas Costs by State
Electricity rates and gas prices vary wildly. Pick your state to see local EV market data, opportunity scores, and top ZIP codes.
Data Sources
Electricity rates by state: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Electric Power Monthly. Gasoline prices by state: EIA Weekly Retail Gasoline and Diesel Prices. Federal EV tax credit eligibility and income limits: IRS Clean Vehicle Credit (IRC § 30D), Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Vehicle efficiency ratings: U.S. Department of Energy fueleconomy.gov. EV maintenance cost savings: Consumer Reports and U.S. Department of Energy vehicle cost studies.