⛽ Gas vs EV Charging Cost Calculator

Generally, EVs cost 40-70% less per mile than gas vehicles. The exact savings depend on your local electricity rate, gas price, and vehicle efficiency. Use the sliders above to compare your specific situation — for most US households, switching saves $800-$1,500 per year at current prices.

Most EVs cost between $0.03 and $0.07 per mile to charge at home, compared to $0.10 to $0.20 per mile for gas cars. The national average EV rate is $0.14/kWh, and a typical EV uses 30 kWh per 100 miles — that works out to about $0.04/mi. An EV can save the average driver $800-$1,500 per year in fuel costs alone.

At the US national average residential rate of $0.14/kWh, a full charge (60 kWh battery) costs about $8.40 and gives you roughly 230 miles of range. That works out to about $0.04/mi. Charge during off-peak hours (typically midnight–6am) and many utilities drop the rate to $0.06-$0.08/kWh, cutting your cost to $0.02-$0.03/mi.

Home charging is 2-3x cheaper. Public DC fast chargers (Electrify America, EVgo, Tesla Supercharger) typically cost $0.30-$0.50/kWh, working out to $0.10-$0.20/mi. Our calculator defaults to home rates. For road trips, expect costs 3-4x higher than what this calculator shows.

A Level 2 home charger (240V, 30-50 amp) costs $500-$1,200 for the equipment, plus $200-$800 for professional installation, depending on your panel capacity and distance from the breaker box. Many states and utilities offer rebates of $200-$1,000. The federal Inflation Reduction Act (30C) tax credit covers 30% of the cost (up to $1,000) through 2032.

Tesla Supercharger rates vary by region and time of day, typically $0.25-$0.50/kWh for non-members. A full 0-100% charge (75 kWh) costs $19-$38. Tesla membership (if you don't own a Tesla) drops the rate by about 20%. For a 250-mile road trip stop, expect to pay $20-$30.

Yes — cold weather can reduce EV range by 20-30%, effectively increasing your cost per mile. A Tesla Model 3 rated at 28 kWh/100mi in summer may use 35-40 kWh/100mi in winter. Heating the cabin, battery thermal management, and rolling resistance on cold tires all contribute. Preconditioning the battery while plugged in helps a lot.

Public Level 2 chargers (found at hotels, shopping centers, workplaces) typically cost $0.20-$0.30/kWh. DC fast chargers (found along highways) cost $0.30-$0.50/kWh. Tesla Superchargers are $0.25-$0.50/kWh depending on the region. Compare to gas at $3.50/gallon and 25 MPG ($0.14/mi) — even fast charging is usually competitive.

Yes, when you factor total cost of ownership. EVs save $800-$1,500/year in fuel and $200-$500/year in maintenance (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements). A new EV costs $5,000-$10,000 more than a comparable gas car, but the lifetime savings typically exceed the upfront premium within 5-7 years. Used EVs have an even faster payback.

Check your utility's website for "EV time-of-use" plans. Many offer rates 30-50% lower than standard rates if you charge during off-peak hours (typically 10pm-6am). Some states (CA, TX, NY, MA) have programs specifically for EV owners. Apps like Optiwatt and ChargePoint can automatically charge during the cheapest hours and integrate with solar.