How Much Would You Save Driving an Electric Car?
Compare annual fuel costs between your current gas car and an EV. Pick your state for live gas and electricity prices, then set your mileage, MPG, EV efficiency, and how much you charge in public.
At today's US-average prices ($3.85/gal, $0.17/kWh), the average EV driver saves about $961 per year in fuel vs a comparable gas car.
$961
annual fuel savings switching from a 28 MPG gas car to an EV at US-average prices (May 2026)
$7,500
maximum federal EV tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act
3–7 yrs
typical payback period for the EV price premium over equivalent gas car
EV vs gas: the real numbers
The per-mile math
At $0.17/kWh, a 30 kWh/100mi EV costs about $0.057/mile to fuel. A 28 MPG gas car at $3.85/gal costs about $0.138/mile — roughly 2.4x more per mile. Over 12,000 miles that's ~$961 in savings annually.
Electricity rates change the equation
In states with cheap electricity (Washington, Idaho — ~$0.10/kWh), EVs are dramatically cheaper. In Hawaii (~$0.40/kWh), the gap shrinks considerably. Picking your state loads the live local rate so the comparison reflects where you actually charge.
Beyond fuel: total cost of ownership
EVs also have lower maintenance costs — no oil changes, fewer brake jobs (regenerative braking), no transmission service. Some studies estimate $1,000–$2,000 less in annual maintenance vs a comparable ICE vehicle.
How the EV vs Gas Comparison Works
Annual gas cost = (miles ÷ MPG) × your state's gas price. Annual EV cost = (miles ÷ 100) × kWh per 100 miles × your blended electricity rate. The difference is your annual fuel savings.
Picking your state loads live average gasoline and residential electricity prices, so the comparison reflects where you actually drive. The public-charging slider blends your cheap home rate with public DC fast charging — which costs roughly three times more — so road-trippers see a realistic number, not a best case.