Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator
Side-by-side running cost and break-even mileage.
Enter your values
Enter the gas car mpg in mpg.
Enter the gas price in $/gal.
Enter the ev efficiency in mi/kWh.
Enter the electricity price in $/kWh.
Enter the annual mileage in mi.
Enter the extra purchase price of the ev in $.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Annual saving with the EV
- $851.43
- Gas cost per mile
- $0.12
- EV cost per mile
- $0.05
- Gas cost per year
- $1,400.00
- EV cost per year
- $548.57
- Break-even
- 7 years (84,564 miles)
Quick answer
Compare cost per mile for both cars, then divide the price difference by the annual saving to find the break-even point.
Break-even years = price gap ÷ annual saving
At a glance
| What it does | Side-by-side running cost and break-even mileage. |
|---|---|
| Category | Auto |
| Inputs needed | Gas car MPG, Gas price, EV efficiency, Electricity price, Annual mileage, Extra purchase price of the EV |
| Main output | Annual saving with the EV |
| Formula | Break-even years = price gap ÷ annual saving |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator
- 1Enter the gas car's real MPG and your local fuel price.
- 2Enter the EV's miles per kWh and your electricity rate.
- 3Add the extra purchase cost of the EV to see the break-even point.
Inputs explained
- Gas car MPG(mpg)
- Enter the gas car mpg in mpg.
- Gas price($/gal)
- Enter the gas price in $/gal.
- EV efficiency(mi/kWh)
- Enter the ev efficiency in mi/kWh.
- Electricity price($/kWh)
- Enter the electricity price in $/kWh.
- Annual mileage(mi)
- Enter the annual mileage in mi.
- Extra purchase price of the EV($)
- Enter the extra purchase price of the ev in $.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Gas car MPG30 mpg
- Gas price3.50 $/gal
- EV efficiency3.5 mi/kWh
- Electricity price0.16 $/kWh
- Annual mileage12000 mi
- Extra purchase price of the EV6000 $
Results
- Annual saving with the EV$851.43
- Gas cost per mile$0.12
- EV cost per mile$0.05
- Gas cost per year$1,400.00
- EV cost per year$548.57
- Break-even7 years (84,564 miles)
Frequently asked questions
Does this include maintenance?
No — it compares energy only. EVs typically save a further $300–600 a year on oil changes, brakes and exhaust work.
What if I charge on public DC?
Public rapid charging often costs 2–3× home rates, which can erase the saving. Enter the blended rate you actually pay.
What do I need to enter into the Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator?
Just 6 values: gas car mpg, gas price, ev efficiency, electricity price, annual mileage, extra purchase price of the ev. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator work out the answer?
Compare cost per mile for both cars, then divide the price difference by the annual saving to find the break-even point. It applies the formula Break-even years = price gap ÷ annual saving and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Gas vs Electric Car Cost Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.