EV vs Gas Savings Calculator: Fuel Costs Compared 2026
EV vs gas: which is cheaper to fuel? Compare your car's real gasoline cost against home EV charging and see your annual and 5-year fuel savings instantly.
How much would you save switching to an EV?
An EV vs gas savings calculator answers the question every luxury car buyer is quietly asking: does the fuel math actually work? With gas prices volatile and home electricity rates far cheaper per mile than pump fuel, most drivers save four figures a year — and high-mileage households save far more. This tool compares your current car's real fuel cost against home charging for an EV at your local electricity rate.
How the estimate works
We divide your annual miles by your car's mpg and multiply by your local gas price for the gasoline total, then divide miles by the EV's efficiency (miles per kWh) and multiply by your electricity rate for the charging total. Defaults reflect typical 2026 US figures: $3.60/gallon gas, $0.18/kWh home electricity, and 3.2 mi/kWh efficiency. The comparison assumes home charging; frequent DC fast charging costs more. Maintenance savings — typically $400 to $600 a year — are noted separately since they vary by vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
A typical driver doing 12,000 miles a year saves roughly $1,000 to $1,800 annually on fuel versus a 25-mpg gas car at 2026 prices. High-mileage drivers and households with cheap overnight electricity rates save considerably more. Enter your numbers above for a personalized figure.
Almost always. At $0.18/kWh, an EV getting 3.2 miles per kWh costs about 5.6 cents per mile, versus roughly 14 cents per mile for a 25-mpg gas car at $3.60/gallon. Even in high-rate states, home charging undercuts gasoline — and time-of-use overnight rates widen the gap further.
Yes. EVs have no oil changes, no exhaust systems, no spark plugs, and regenerative braking dramatically extends brake life. Studies and owner data typically show $400 to $600 per year in maintenance savings versus comparable gas vehicles. Tires can wear slightly faster due to vehicle weight, which modestly offsets the savings.
The fuel and maintenance savings above narrow but rarely erase the purchase-price premium on their own over five years for luxury models. Factor in available tax incentives, lower depreciation on some models, and the value of home charging convenience for the full picture. This calculator isolates the fuel math so you can combine it with your own purchase analysis.