How do I calculate my home EV charging cost?

Multiply your EV's energy consumption (kWh per mile, or 1 divided by mi/kWh) by your electricity rate. For example, a Tesla Model 3 at 4.2 mi/kWh on a $0.14/kWh plan costs about 3.3 cents per mile, or $333 per year at 10,000 miles. Check your utility bill for your actual rate — time-of-use plans may offer cheaper overnight charging rates.

Is public EV charging more expensive than home charging?

Usually yes. Level 2 public chargers cost $0.20-0.35/kWh, and DC fast chargers run $0.35-0.60/kWh. Home charging at $0.12-0.18/kWh is significantly cheaper. If you can charge at home overnight, your fuel cost stays low. Public charging is best reserved for road trips — budgeting for a mix of home and public charging gives the most realistic cost picture.

Does battery degradation affect my EV's long-term running cost?

Modern EV batteries retain about 85-90% capacity after 100,000 miles (DOE and Tesla fleet data). This means your range decreases slightly over time, but fuel efficiency in mi/kWh actually improves as the car weighs less and battery chemistry matures. Degradation does not meaningfully increase your charging cost during the vehicle's useful life.

What is the total cost of ownership for an EV vs gas car?

Beyond fuel, EVs have lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking) saving $500-1,000 per year. However, EVs typically carry a higher purchase price — offset in part by federal and state purchase credits of up to $7,500. Over 5-10 years, most EVs achieve a lower total cost of ownership than comparable gas vehicles.

Calculator

EV vs Gas Savings Calculator

See exactly how much an EV saves you over a gas car each year

Switching from a gasoline car to an electric vehicle changes your fuel economics entirely — but by how much? This calculator compares the annual fuel cost of driving an EV versus a gas car based on your actual mileage, local electricity rate, and current gas prices. It also projects your savings over 10 years and shows the CO2 emissions difference. Whether you're shopping for your first EV or justifying the switch to a skeptical friend, the numbers speak clearly.

Enter Your Details

Fill in the form and click Calculate to see results.

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Your total cost comparison is a starting point — real savings depend on your driving habits and local rates.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your annual driving mileage — the US average is about 13,500 miles per year. Next, enter your electricity rate in dollars per kilowatt-hour; check your utility bill or use $0.14/kWh as the national average. For EV efficiency, enter miles per kilowatt-hour — most EVs range from 3.0 to 4.5 mi/kWh (a Tesla Model 3 averages about 4.2). Enter your current local gasoline price per gallon. Finally, enter your gas car's MPG — the average new car in the US gets about 26 MPG, while compact sedans average 30 MPG. The calculator shows annual and 10-year savings, cost per 100 miles for each vehicle, and the environmental impact in reduced CO2 emissions.

Formula & Methodology

EV Annual Fuel Cost = (Annual Miles ÷ EV Efficiency in mi/kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Gas Car Annual Fuel Cost = (Annual Miles ÷ Gas Car MPG) × Gasoline Price ($/gal)
Annual Savings = Gas Car Cost − EV Cost
10-Year Savings = Annual Savings × 10
CO2 Reduction = Annual Miles × 0.000404 metric tons per gas mile

The CO2 factor of 0.000404 metric tons per mile comes from the EPA's average passenger vehicle emission rate (accounting for upstream fuel production). EV efficiency is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour — the EPA's fueleconomy.gov provides official figures for every EV model. Gas prices and electricity rates should reflect your actual local costs for the most accurate comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

In almost every US market, yes. The average EV costs $500-700 per year to charge at home, while a comparable gas car costs $1,500-2,500 per year in fuel. The gap widens with higher gas prices and larger vehicles. The only scenarios where gas might win are very cheap electricity markets combined with extremely high-efficiency hybrids — and even then, the margin is narrow.

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