An EV vs gas lifetime cost calculator reveals the true 10-year cost of owning an electric vehicle compared to a conventional gasoline car. Beyond just the sticker price, total ownership cost includes fuel, maintenance, insurance, tax credits, and loan interest. This side-by-side comparison shows exactly when — and whether — an EV becomes the cheaper choice over the long run.
Vehicle & Cost Details
Federal EV tax credit applied in year 1
Extra annual cost for EV vs gas
5-year loan, 0% = cash
Year-by-Year Cumulative Cost
* Includes purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance difference, tax credit, and loan interest.
Cost Breakdown
| Category | EV | Gas |
|---|
How to Use the EV vs Gas Lifetime Cost Calculator
Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make, and the sticker price is only the beginning. This EV vs gas lifetime cost calculator compares every major ownership expense over 10 years (or 5 or 15) so you can see the full financial picture before deciding between an electric vehicle and a gasoline car.
Step 1: Enter Purchase Prices
Start with the purchase price for both vehicles. The EV defaults to $40,000 and the gas car to $30,000, reflecting typical mid-range models. Adjust these to match the exact vehicles you are comparing. Remember that many EVs qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, which the calculator applies automatically in year one.
Step 2: Set Fuel and Efficiency
Enter your local electricity rate (check your utility bill for $/kWh) and the EV's efficiency in miles per kWh. For the gas car, enter the fuel economy in MPG and your local gas price per gallon. These values drive the annual fuel cost calculation, which is often the largest ongoing expense difference between EVs and gas cars. Even small changes in gas price or electricity rate can shift the break-even point by years.
Step 3: Add Maintenance and Insurance
EVs have significantly lower maintenance costs because they have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, no transmission fluid, and regenerative braking reduces brake wear. The defaults of $500/year for EVs and $1,200/year for gas cars are based on industry averages. If you know your insurance premium differs between an EV and gas car, enter that annual difference as well.
Step 4: Configure Financing
If financing, enter your expected loan APR. The calculator assumes a 5-year loan term and computes total interest paid on each vehicle's purchase price. Set APR to 0 if paying cash. The loan interest is included in the total lifetime cost for each vehicle, giving you a complete picture that includes the cost of borrowing.
Reading the Results
The results show total ownership cost for each vehicle, the break-even year where the EV becomes cheaper overall, cost per mile for each vehicle, a year-by-year cumulative cost chart, and a detailed cost breakdown table. The chart makes it easy to see exactly when the EV's lower running costs overcome its higher purchase price. All calculations happen instantly in your browser — nothing is stored or transmitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this EV vs gas lifetime cost calculator really free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run locally in your browser. No personal or financial data is ever sent to any server.
Is my data safe when I use this calculator?
Absolutely. Everything runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No information about your vehicle costs, finances, or personal details is transmitted or stored anywhere.
What costs are included in the 10-year comparison?
The calculator includes purchase price, annual fuel costs (electricity for EV, gasoline for gas car), annual maintenance, federal EV tax credit, insurance difference, and loan interest based on the APR you enter. This gives a comprehensive total cost of ownership picture.
How is the break-even year calculated?
The break-even year is the point where the EV's cumulative total cost drops below the gas car's cumulative total cost. This accounts for the higher upfront cost of the EV offset by lower running costs over time, including the federal tax credit applied in year one.
What is a typical EV maintenance cost per year?
EVs typically cost $500 to $800 per year for maintenance. They have fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and regenerative braking reduces brake wear. Gas cars typically cost $1,000 to $1,400 per year including oil changes, transmission service, and more frequent brake replacements.
Does the calculator account for the federal EV tax credit?
Yes. You can enter any tax credit amount (the default is $7,500, which is the current federal EV tax credit). The credit is applied as a reduction to the EV's effective purchase price in year one of the comparison.
How accurate is the cost per mile comparison?
The cost per mile calculation divides total 10-year costs by total miles driven over that period. It is accurate given the inputs you provide. For best results, use your actual electricity rate, local gas price, and real-world efficiency figures rather than the defaults.
Can I adjust the loan APR for the comparison?
Yes. You can enter a loan APR that applies to both the EV and gas car purchase prices. The calculator computes total interest paid over a standard 5-year loan term and includes it in the lifetime cost. Set APR to 0 if you are paying cash.