EV vs Gas Car Calculator
Compare total cost of ownership between electric vehicles and gas cars. Factor in purchase price, fuel/electricity costs, maintenance, tax credits, insurance, and depreciation over time.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the EV details including purchase price, tax credits, battery specs, and charging costs
- Enter the gas car details including purchase price, fuel efficiency, and gas price
- Fill in shared assumptions like annual miles, ownership period, and cost increases
- Add insurance and maintenance estimates for each vehicle
- Configure financing details for both vehicles (optional)
- Click Calculate to see the total cost of ownership comparison
Electric Vehicle (EV)
Gas-Powered Car
Driving & Ownership
Insurance & Maintenance
Depreciation
Financing (Optional)
Understanding EV Total Cost of Ownership
While electric vehicles often have a higher sticker price, they can be significantly cheaper to own over time. EVs benefit from lower fuel costs (electricity vs gasoline), reduced maintenance (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking), and federal/state incentives that can reduce the effective purchase price by $7,500 or more.
Charging Cost Factors
Your actual EV charging costs depend on several factors:
- Time-of-use rates: Charging overnight can be 50% cheaper than peak hours
- Home vs public charging: Home charging is typically 2-3x cheaper than DC fast charging
- Free charging networks: Some manufacturers include free Supercharging or charging credits
- Solar panels: If you have home solar, your effective charging cost could be near zero
Environmental Impact
Beyond cost savings, EVs produce zero direct tailpipe emissions. Even accounting for electricity generation, EVs typically produce 50-70% fewer lifecycle CO2 emissions than comparable gas vehicles. The environmental advantage continues to grow as the electrical grid becomes cleaner with more renewable energy sources.
Save & Share Your Analysis
Your EV vs Gas comparison is automatically saved in the URL. You can bookmark this page to save your calculation, or use the Share button to send it to others. When you return or share the link, all values will be restored automatically.