What This Calculator Does
The Gas vs Electric Car Savings Calculator compares the annual fuel cost of a gasoline-powered car with the electricity cost of an EV. It tells you how much money you could save (or spend) each year by switching to electric, based on your real driving habits and local energy prices.
How to Use It
Enter your annual mileage, the price of gas per gallon, and your gas car's fuel economy in miles per gallon (MPG). Then enter your local electricity price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and the EV's efficiency in miles per kWh (most EVs deliver 3–4 mi/kWh). The calculator instantly shows your yearly savings along with a breakdown of each fuel cost.
The Formula Explained
The math is straightforward. Gas cost equals miles divided by MPG (gallons used) times the price per gallon. Electricity cost equals miles divided by miles-per-kWh (kWh used) times the price per kWh. Savings is simply the gas cost minus the electricity cost:
$$\text{Savings} = \text{Miles} \times \frac{\text{Gas Price}}{\text{MPG}} - \text{Miles} \times \frac{\text{Electricity Price}}{\text{Miles per kWh}}$$
Worked Example
Suppose you drive 12,000 miles a year. Gas is $3.50/gallon and your car gets 28 MPG, so gas cost = \(12{,}000 \times \frac{3.50}{28} = \$1{,}500\). Electricity is $0.15/kWh and your EV does 3.5 mi/kWh, so electric cost = \(12{,}000 \times \frac{0.15}{3.5} \approx \$514.29\). Your annual savings \(\approx \$985.71\).
FAQ
Does this include the cost of the car? No — it only compares fuel/energy operating costs, not purchase price, maintenance, or incentives.
What efficiency should I use for the EV? Many EVs average 3 to 4 miles per kWh; check your vehicle's rated efficiency or trip computer.
Why might savings be negative? If electricity is expensive or the EV is inefficient relative to a very fuel-efficient gas car, the gas car may cost less to fuel.
