How to use the EV Charging vs. Gas Cost Calculator
Enter how many miles you drive a year. For the electric car, add its efficiency in kWh per 100 miles, your home electricity price, how much of your charging happens at public stations and their price, and the energy lost while charging. For the gas car, add its mpg and the gas price. The green box shows the yearly difference, the cards show each yearly cost, and the break-even price tells you the electricity price at which both cost the same.
Worked examples
12,000 miles a year, all home charging, no losses
| EV: 12,000 ÷ 100 × 30 kWh × $0.15 | $540 a year |
| Gas: 12,000 ÷ 30 mpg × $3.00 | $1,200 a year |
| EV saves | $660 a year |
Same driving with 10% public charging at $0.45 and 10% losses
| Average electricity price | $0.18 per kWh |
| Electricity used: 3,600 kWh ÷ 0.9 | 4,000 kWh |
| EV cost | $720 a year |
| EV saves | $480 a year ($2,400 over 5 years) |
| Break-even electricity price | $0.30 per kWh |
Assumptions and limits
- Electricity and gas prices are your inputs, not live rates.
- Charging losses (energy lost between the outlet and the battery) are typically 10–15%.
- Only energy costs are compared. Purchase price, tax credits, insurance, maintenance and depreciation aren’t included.
- Efficiency varies with speed, weather and heating; winter use can be 20–30% higher.
Formula
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
At $0.15 per kWh and 30 kWh per 100 miles, about $4.50 per 100 miles, or $5 with typical charging losses. Public fast charging often costs two to three times more than home charging.
Is an EV cheaper to run than a gas car?
Usually, if you charge mostly at home. Relying on public fast chargers or high electricity prices can close the gap; the break-even price shows where that happens.
What does kWh per 100 miles mean?
It is the electric version of fuel economy: how much energy the car uses to drive 100 miles. Lower is better; most EVs use 25–40 kWh per 100 miles.
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