Where do I find miles per kWh for an EV?

The EPA fuel economy label lists kWh per 100 miles — divide 100 by that number to get miles per kWh. Alternatively, check fueleconomy.gov or the manufacturer spec sheet.

Does this include home charging efficiency losses?

The calculator uses your stated electricity rate and miles/kWh directly. Real-world charging is roughly 85–90% efficient, so your effective cost per mile may be slightly higher than the nameplate efficiency suggests. Use a slightly lower miles/kWh value (e.g. 3.5 instead of 4.0) to account for this.

Why does the 5-year cost not include depreciation or maintenance?

This tool focuses on fuel costs only. EVs generally have lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements), but those vary by model and usage — factor them in separately.

What is a typical EV efficiency?

Most modern EVs average 3–4 miles per kWh. Compact EVs like the Tesla Model 3 reach 4+ mi/kWh; larger SUVs or trucks are closer to 2.5–3 mi/kWh.

Can I compare plug-in hybrids?

Yes — for a PHEV, use the all-electric efficiency and your electric-only annual miles in the EV column, and the gas car column for the remainder. Or run two separate comparisons and add the costs.

EV vs Gas Cost Calculator

Name: EV vs Gas Cost Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your annual mileage, electricity rate, gas price, and each vehicle's efficiency to see which costs less to drive per year and over 5 years.

Your Driving Inputs

Annual Miles Driven

miles/yr

Electric Vehicle

Electricity Rate

$ /kWh

EV Efficiency

mi/kWh

Gas Car

Gas Price

$ /gal

Fuel Economy

MPG

Cost Per Mile

Electric

—

per mile

Gas

—

per mile

Annual Fuel Cost

Electric

—

Gas

—

5-Year Fuel Cost

Electric

—

Gas

—

Annual savings

—

5-year: —

Summary

Enter your annual mileage, electricity rate, gas price, and each vehicle's efficiency to see which costs less to drive per year and over 5 years.

How it works

Enter your estimated annual miles driven.
Enter your electricity rate in dollars per kWh (check your utility bill).
Enter the EV efficiency in miles per kWh (EPA label or spec sheet).
Enter the current gas price per gallon in your area.
Enter the gas car fuel economy in MPG.
Read the annual and 5-year cost comparison instantly.

Use cases

Decide whether switching to an EV makes financial sense given your driving habits.
Compare two specific models — one EV and one gas — before buying.
Estimate annual fuel savings when leasing an EV vs keeping a gas car.
Factor fuel costs into the total cost of ownership analysis over 5 years.
Share a quick savings estimate with a partner or financial advisor.
Recalculate as gas prices or electricity rates change over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu