Electric vs gas: what will you actually save?

This EV vs gas cost calculator compares the two things that change your monthly budget the most: the price of a kWh at home and the price of a gallon at the pump. At the U.S. average of about 16¢ per kWh and $3.50 a gallon, a Tesla Model 3 driven 13,500 miles a year costs about $687 to charge, while a Toyota Camry costs about $1,477 in gas — an EV vs gas cost savings of roughly $790 a year before maintenance.

EV vs gas cost per mile

Cost per mile is the fairest way to compare, because it ignores how far you drive. Multiply the car's efficiency by the energy price: an EV that uses 25 kWh per 100 miles at $0.16 per kWh costs 4.0¢ a mile; a 32 MPG sedan at $3.50 a gallon costs 10.9¢ a mile. The table uses home charging at the U.S. average price.

Even the largest electric pickup on the list costs less per mile than most gas sedans at average prices, because electric motors turn far more of their energy into motion than a gas engine does.

Cost to charge electric car at home

Charging at home is the cheapest way to fuel an EV. Your cost is simply kWh used × your residential rate. At $0.16 per kWh, adding 100 miles to a Model 3 costs about $4.00, and a full 60 kWh charge costs about $9.60. A typical month of 1,125 miles is about $57 on the blended mix. If you want the cost to charge electric car at home calculator to be exact, use the “per kWh” price from your latest electric bill, including delivery charges.

• Time-of-use plans: many utilities sell overnight power for much less — set your charger to start after midnight and type that lower rate above.
• Level 1 vs Level 2: a regular outlet works for short commutes; a 240-volt Level 2 charger refills overnight. Both cost the same per kWh.
• Charging losses: a little energy is lost as heat. EPA ratings already count power from the wall, so the numbers here include it.

Cost to charge electric car at station

Public DC fast chargers are convenient on road trips but cost several times more than home power — often around $0.45 per kWh, sometimes more at peak hours. At that price a Model 3 costs 11.3¢ a mile, closer to a hybrid than to home charging. That is why the charging mix slider matters: moving from 85% to 50% home charging raises the blended price from $0.204 to $0.305 per kWh. Apartment renters who rely on fast charging should drag the slider left and see whether the EV still wins.

EV vs gas cost per year

Your EV vs gas cost per year is the yearly charging bill minus the yearly gas bill, plus the maintenance difference. EVs skip oil changes, spark plugs and most brake wear thanks to regenerative braking, so many owners spend less on upkeep; the calculator starts at $600 vs $1,000 a year, and you can change both. Drive more and the gap grows: at 20,000 miles the fuel savings alone at U.S. averages are about $1,170 a year.

EV vs gas cost of ownership

The cost of ownership adds the purchase price. If the EV costs $6,000 more than the gas car after rebates, the payback period is that premium divided by yearly savings. Insurance, registration fees (several states add an EV fee) and resale value also differ by model, so treat the payback card as a starting point. Note that the federal $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025; some states and utilities still offer rebates, which you can subtract from the price gap.

EV vs gas cost by state

Electricity and gas prices vary more by state than most people expect, so the same two cars can save very different amounts. Using the default comparison (Model 3 vs Camry, 13,500 miles, 85% home charging):

See all 50 states ranked, or open your state for a page with local prices already filled in.