You enter your annual mileage, gas price per gallon, your gas car's MPG, your electricity rate per kWh, and the EV's efficiency in miles per kWh. The tool divides mileage by each vehicle's efficiency, then multiplies by the corresponding fuel price to get annual costs. The difference is your savings. CO₂ is estimated from gallons burned at 19.6 lbs per gallon (EPA average for gasoline). No maintenance, insurance, or purchase price differences are included.
Most midsize EVs like the Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Ioniq 6 achieve 3.5–4.0 mi/kWh. Larger electric SUVs and trucks typically range from 2.0–2.8 mi/kWh. The default of 3.5 is a reasonable starting point for a midsize sedan.
No. This calculator compares fuel costs only. The EV may cost more upfront, though federal and state tax credits can narrow the gap. A total cost of ownership comparison would also include maintenance, insurance, and resale value.
Public DC fast chargers typically cost 2–4× more per kWh than home electricity. If you charge away from home frequently, your real EV fuel cost will be higher than this estimate. Most EV owners do 80–90% of their charging at home.
It captures the tailpipe CO₂ you avoid by not burning gas (19.6 lbs per gallon is the EPA's standard factor). It does not subtract the emissions from generating the electricity for your EV, which vary widely by region — from near zero (hydro, nuclear, solar) to significant (coal-heavy grids).
Check your most recent electric bill — the rate is usually listed as $/kWh. The U.S. average is roughly $0.16/kWh, but rates range from $0.10 in some states to over $0.30 in others like Hawaii and California.
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas. Double-check important decisions independently.