EV vs Gas Car Total Cost
Compare electric and gas vehicles including fuel, maintenance, and tax credits.
EV vs Gas Car Total Cost Calculator — Including Tax Credits
EVs cost more upfront — but lower fuel and maintenance often make them cheaper long-term. This calculator runs the full 8-year math including the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, state incentives, fuel savings, and maintenance differences.
How to use this tool
- 1
Enter annual miles and ownership years
EVs win bigger over longer ownership.
- 2
Set gas car details
Price, MPG, current gas price.
- 3
Set EV details
Price, federal + state credits, electric rate, mi/kWh.
- 4
See lifetime savings
Net total cost including upfront premium.
Pro tips
- EV maintenance is ~50% less than gas cars (no oil changes, fewer brake jobs, no transmission).
- Home charging at off-peak rates makes EVs 4–5× cheaper to 'fuel' than gas cars.
- $7,500 federal EV credit applies to new vehicles meeting battery sourcing rules; $4,000 for used EVs under $25K.
Frequently asked questions
Do EVs really save money?
Yes — over 5+ years, lower fuel and maintenance usually beat the higher purchase price, especially with credits and incentives.
What about battery replacement?
Modern EV batteries are warrantied 8–10 years/100K+ miles. Most outlast the car itself.
Are EV credits refundable?
Starting 2024, you can take the federal credit at point-of-sale — no waiting for tax refund.
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