Electric Vehicle vs Gas Car Savings Calculator
Compare total ownership cost and CO2 emissions of an EV versus a gas car over 1 to 10 years.
Factors in fuel, electricity, maintenance, and price difference.
Switching from a gasoline car to an electric vehicle (EV) can save thousands of dollars and significantly reduce your CO2 emissions — but the actual savings depend on your driving habits, local fuel prices, and how your electricity is generated.
Fuel Cost Comparison Gas car annual fuel cost = (Miles driven ÷ MPG) × Gas price per gallon
EV annual fuel cost = (Miles driven ÷ Miles per kWh) × Electricity price per kWh
The annual savings is simply the gas cost minus the EV cost. Over multiple years, this compounds into a substantial amount.
Real-World Efficiency Reference Values
- A typical gas car achieves 25–30 MPG (miles per gallon)
- A fuel-efficient gas car might reach 40 MPG
- The Tesla Model 3 achieves about 3.5 miles/kWh
- The Chevy Bolt achieves around 3.5 miles/kWh
- Larger EVs like the Tesla Model X average closer to 2.5 miles/kWh
- Average US electricity price is about $0.13/kWh
- Average US gas price varies widely but is often $3.00–$4.50/gallon
CO2 Emissions Comparison Burning one gallon of gasoline releases approximately 8.89 kg of CO2. So the gas car’s annual CO2 is: CO2 (kg) = (Miles ÷ MPG) × 8.89
For an EV, the emissions depend on your electricity grid’s carbon intensity. The US average grid produces about 0.386 kg of CO2 per kWh. So: EV CO2 (kg) = (Miles ÷ Miles per kWh) × 0.386
Even accounting for grid emissions, the average EV produces 50–70% less CO2 than the average gasoline car. In states with high renewable energy (like California or Washington), the EV advantage is even greater.
Multi-Year Savings Total fuel savings over N years = Annual savings × N years. This does not account for purchase price difference, maintenance savings (EVs have fewer moving parts and no oil changes), or battery degradation — but those factors generally favor the EV further.
Worked Example 15,000 miles/year, gas at $3.50/gallon, 28 MPG gas car vs EV at 3.5 miles/kWh at $0.13/kWh over 5 years:
- Gas annual cost: 15,000 ÷ 28 × $3.50 = $1,875/year
- EV annual cost: 15,000 ÷ 3.5 × $0.13 = $557/year
- Annual savings: $1,318 — Total over 5 years: $6,589
- Gas CO2/year: (15,000 ÷ 28) × 8.89 = 4,762 kg = 4.76 tonnes
- EV CO2/year: (15,000 ÷ 3.5) × 0.386 = 1,654 kg = 1.65 tonnes
- Annual CO2 saved: 3.11 tonnes