EV Savings Calculator
Compare EV and gas running costs.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Switching to electric promises lower running costs, but the real gap depends on your mileage and local energy prices, and this EV savings calculator puts an honest yearly number on it. You enter how far you drive each year, the fuel economy of the gas car you would otherwise use, its fuel price, and then the electric car's efficiency and your electricity rate. The tool returns the annual cost of each option and the savings from going electric. The comparison matters because fuel is where electric vehicles most clearly pull ahead. Electricity usually delivers a mile far more cheaply than gasoline, but the advantage swings with how much you drive, how efficient each vehicle is, and the spread between pump prices and your per-kilowatt-hour rate. Someone with a long commute and cheap overnight charging saves dramatically, while a low-mileage driver on expensive electricity may save less than expected. By isolating the two energy bills side by side, the calculator makes those trade-offs concrete. You can test a higher gas price, a colder climate that lowers EV efficiency, or a time-of-use electricity plan and see the yearly saving shift at once. It focuses purely on fuel versus charging, giving you a clean baseline to weigh against purchase price, incentives, and maintenance when deciding whether the switch pays off.
gas cost = miles ÷ MPG × gas price · EV cost = miles ÷ (mi/kWh) × rate
Each side of the comparison converts annual miles into an energy bill. For the gas car, dividing miles by MPG gives gallons burned, which multiplied by the pump price gives the yearly fuel cost. For the electric car, dividing miles by efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour gives kilowatt-hours drawn, multiplied by the electricity rate for its yearly cost. Subtracting the two reveals the annual saving.
Source:U.S. EPA fuel economy
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter annual miles, gas car mpg, gas price, ev efficiency and electricity rate.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Annual savings updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is EV efficiency in miles per kWh?
Miles per kilowatt-hour tells you how far an electric car travels on one unit of electricity, much like MPG does for fuel. Typical EVs manage roughly 3 to 4 miles per kWh, though this drops in cold weather, at high speeds, or with heavy loads. Check your car's display or the EPA rating for a realistic figure, and lower it a little if you often drive in demanding conditions.
Where do I find my electricity rate?
Your electricity rate appears on your utility bill, expressed in dollars or cents per kilowatt-hour. Many households pay somewhere between $0.10 and $0.30 per kWh, but time-of-use plans charge less overnight, which is when most EV owners charge. If your plan varies by time, use the off-peak rate you actually charge at for the most accurate savings estimate rather than the average.
Does this include the higher purchase price of an EV?
No, this calculator compares only the running cost of fuel versus charging. Electric vehicles often cost more upfront, though incentives, tax credits, and lower maintenance can narrow the gap. Use the annual fuel saving shown here as one input into a broader decision that also weighs purchase price, financing, battery warranty, and resale value over the years you expect to keep the car.
How much can I realistically save each year?
Savings scale with how far you drive and the price spread between gasoline and electricity. A typical driver covering 12,000 miles a year commonly saves several hundred to over a thousand dollars annually on fuel alone. Higher mileage, expensive gas, and cheap overnight charging widen the gap, while low mileage or pricey electricity shrink it. Enter your own figures to see a number tailored to you.
Do cold weather and driving style affect the result?
Yes, significantly for the electric side. Cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency and cabin heating draws extra power, so winter miles per kWh can fall noticeably. Fast highway driving and hard acceleration also lower efficiency for both vehicle types. To keep the estimate realistic, use an efficiency figure that reflects your climate and typical driving rather than the best-case number from a mild-weather test.