Compare what a gas car, a hybrid and an electric car would really cost you. Enter your yearly miles, how long you keep a car, the price and efficiency of each option and what you pay for gas and electricity. Results update as you type.
Some fields need a fix, so the result shows your last valid numbers.
| Gas car | Hybrid | Electric car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel or charging | — | — | — |
| Maintenance | — | — | — |
| Incentives | — | — | — |
| Total cost | — | — | — |
| Cost per mile | — | — | — |
| Yearly savings vs gas | — | — | — |
| Break-even vs gas | — | — | — |
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How the gas vs hybrid vs EV calculator works
The calculator adds up three costs for each car over the years you plan to keep it: the purchase price, the fuel or electricity it uses, and its maintenance. It then subtracts any incentive you enter. The car with the lowest total is the cheapest for your situation. It also shows the cost per mile, how much each option saves you per year against the gas car, and how long the hybrid and the EV take to earn back a higher price.
Running costs usually decide the result. A hybrid or an EV often costs more to buy but less to run, so the more miles you drive and the longer you keep the car, the better they tend to look. A low annual mileage or cheap gas favors the gas car.
The formulas in plain English
- Gas or hybrid fuel cost = miles per year ÷ mpg × gas price × years
- EV electricity per mile = kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 (or 1 ÷ miles per kWh)
- Your electricity price = home price × share charged at home + public price × share charged in public
- EV charging cost = miles per year × kWh per mile × your electricity price × years
- Total cost = price + fuel or charging + maintenance − incentives
- Break-even years = extra price over the gas car (after incentives) ÷ yearly running-cost savings
With the default numbers, the hybrid comes out cheapest over eight years at about $46,100, against roughly $48,100 for the gas car and $50,800 for the EV. The hybrid earns back its $2,500 premium in about four and a half years. The EV saves more each year, but at these prices it would need about 11 years to cover its $10,000 premium. These defaults are placeholders to show how the math works. They are not averages, so replace them with your own quotes.
Where to find your own prices
- Electricity: your utility bill shows what you pay per kWh. Divide the total charge by the kWh used to include delivery fees and taxes. If you do not have a bill yet, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes average residential electricity prices by state. Ask your utility about time-of-use or EV charging plans, which can lower the price for overnight charging.
- Public charging: check the per-kWh price in the charging network’s app. Fast charging usually costs much more than charging at home, so the share you charge in public matters a lot. If you can’t charge at home, set the share to 100%.
- Gas: use the price at the stations you actually fill up at. EIA also publishes weekly regional gas prices if you want a broader figure.
- Efficiency: use each model’s official rating as a starting point, then adjust for how you drive. Our MPG calculator shows the real mpg of a car you already own. EV efficiency drops in cold weather, so lower it a little if you face long winters, and read up on whether winter tires are worth it.
- Maintenance: EVs skip oil changes and usually wear brakes more slowly, but tires can wear faster on heavier cars. Use quotes or your own records if you have them, or leave these fields blank to compare purchase and energy costs only.
How incentives change the result
An incentive lowers the effective price of a hybrid or EV, which shrinks the premium it has to earn back. Even a modest rebate can move the break-even point by several years. Federal, state and utility programs change often and many have income, price or dealer rules, so check the current terms with the program itself before you count on one. Enter only an amount you have confirmed you qualify for. We do not assume any incentive.
What the calculator leaves out
Insurance, registration fees, financing and resale value are not included here, and they can differ between the three options. For the full picture of one car, including depreciation and loan interest, use the car ownership cost calculator. If you are weighing a new car against keeping your current one, see whether it is worth fixing your current car or try the repair or replace calculator. The fuel cost calculator covers gas cost for a single trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is an EV cheaper than a gas car?
It depends on your numbers. EVs usually cost less to run per mile, especially with cheap home charging, but often cost more to buy. The more you drive and the longer you keep the car, the more likely the EV comes out ahead.
Is a hybrid worth the extra cost?
A hybrid pays off when its fuel savings cover its higher price within the years you keep it. The break-even line in the results shows exactly how long that takes with your inputs.
How do I calculate the cost to charge an EV?
Multiply the miles you drive by the car’s kWh per mile, then by your price per kWh. At 30 kWh per 100 miles and $0.16 per kWh, 1,000 miles uses 300 kWh and costs about $48.
Are my numbers saved?
No. The math runs in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent to us.