EV Charging Cost vs Gas Calculator
Is an electric car really cheaper to drive? Compare charging and fueling costs with real rates — updated October 2026.
Rates and prices shown for U.S. average. Override with numbers from your own utility bill and gas station for personal accuracy.
Estimated monthly savings
$86 / month
$1,031 per year · $5,153 over 5 years
EV — charging
$0.04 / mile
$42.25 / month
Gas car — fueling
$0.13 / mile
$128.13 / month
Monthly fuel spend comparison
Estimates only — home charging assumed. EPA efficiency figures include charging losses. Your utility bill is the source of truth for rates.
How this calculator works
We compare what you'd spend fueling a gas car versus charging an electric one, using the same miles driven each month. EV cost per mile is your electricity rate divided by the vehicle's EPA efficiency (which already accounts for charging losses). Gas cost per mile is the pump price divided by your car's MPG.
Electricity rates come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A), gas prices from AAA state averages, and vehicle efficiency from EPA fueleconomy.gov — all as of October 2026. Rates vary by utility and plan, so override with your own bill for personal accuracy.
Why charging is usually cheaper
At the U.S. average residential rate, home charging typically costs roughly a third to half as much per mile as fueling an average gas car — even more when gas prices spike. Public DC fast charging narrows or closes that gap, so home charging access is the single biggest factor in whether an EV saves you money.